Choked drains, debris add to commuters’ woes on Park Road

Lucknow: Choked drains and construction debris are causing inconvenience to commuters along the busy Park Road stretch in Hazratganj.The problem surfaced amid ongoing construction under the CM Grid Road scheme, during which parts of the existing drainage network were reportedly damaged.Blocked drains and construction debris led to water accumulation on several patches even after light rainfall or routine discharge of wastewater. Commuters said this led to slow traffic movement, particularly during peak hours, as portions of the carriageway remained dug up and uneven."Park Road is in a pathetic state—choked sewers, overflowing dirty water and traffic jams. Half-built footpaths are now occupied by stalls and two-wheelers, further narrowing the road and worsening congestion. Are these footpaths for pedestrians or encroachment? I complained to the Chief Engineer of LMC, but no action has been taken," said Deepak Dixit.Local traders and office-goers also flagged the absence of proper barricading and poor site management. They said construction material lying on footpaths forced pedestrians to walk on the road, increasing the risk of accidents.Ashish Mishra, a shop owner near Civil Hospital, said stagnant water also created unhygienic conditions. "Waterlogging is causing inconvenience and the situation is leading to an increase in mosquitoes," he said.Swati Verma, a corporate employee who uses the stretch daily, said pedestrians were among the worst affected. "Construction material is scattered across the footpath and overflowing drains make it difficult to even walk along the stretch," she said.Officials linked to the project said the work was part of a larger plan to strengthen road infrastructure and that drainage repairs would be taken up alongside the construction. Additional municipal commissioner Pankaj Srivastava said action was initiated after complaints surfaced. "The agency responsible for the work was directed to clear the drains and remove debris from the footpath. If the work is not completed within two days, a penalty will be imposed," he said.