Lucknow-Avadh Haat soon in the city

Archana Srivastava / TNN / Jul 26, 2007, 04:25 IST

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Two sites, one near Nishatganj and another near the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Park on Rae Bareli road have been shortlisted for the purpose.

LUCKNOW: In order to showcase the culture of Uttar Pradesh as also that of India, the state capital is all set to have a Lucknow-Avadh Haat, much on the patterns of that already existing in Delhi.
A budgetary provision of Rs 5 crore has already been made for it. Two sites, one near Nishatganj and another near the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Park on Rae Bareli road have been shortlisted for the purpose.
Even as the proposed haat is still in its conceptual stage, work in the direction has begun in real earnest with talks initiated between the officials of the UP Tourism Directorate and those managing the Delhi Haat.
The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has been sounded for land near the Paper Mill Colony in Nishatganj. DG tourism Parthasarthy Sen Sharma said, “We have initiated talks with the Lucknow Municipal corporation and if the modalities are worked out, the haat will come up there. The intent is to ensure that it comes up in the heart of the city so that it can by visited by a sizeable number of people on any given day.”

In the event of the LMC not agreeing to the proposal, the directorate is likely to settle for the land in its possession near the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Park. The directorate has 15 acres of land and is banking on the many resorts which have come up in the area as also the fillip being given to medical tourism, for the haat to take off. But this is the second alternative.
The proposed haat will have shops selling clothes and handicraft which are Lucknow specific such as the famed chikan and zardozi work of the city as also its famous clay toys. The specialities of other districts of the state will also be showcased and put up for sale here.

The haat, however, will not confine itself to the wares of UP alone. Stalls selling products of other states will also be given space so that the venue has an all-India ambience.
Culinary fare will figure prominently and not comprise just the Lakhnawi or Avadhi cuisine. Specialities of other states will also hold place in the haat.
“The entertainment activities will form an important part of the haat as any tourist who comes to the city would also like to get acquainted with its culture. The haat will provide the right platform for the same,” Sen Sharma added.
Also proposed in the scheme of things here is Food Craft institute at the site of the haat.
The concept of an entertainment hub coupled with cuisine and handicraft outlets had been gaining currency in Lucknow since long.
It took some kind of a formal shape during chief minister Mayawati’s last regime when the urban development ministry announced its intent to set up a Avadh haat in the old city.
Land for the same was identified between the Bada and Chhota Imambara and the DUDA directed to work on the project. However, following dispute over the land the project was later shelved.

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