Akhilesh writes to Parrikar for Kukrail bridge

LUCKNOW: Urging Centre to expedite completion of the 6-lane bridge over Kukrail barrage, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday wrote a letter to Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar and requested him to direct army officials to grant working permission to complete the project. The length of the under-construction 6-lane bridge is 4.18km and there is additional 1.02km-long flyover, which is still being constructed.According to the CM's letter dated May 17, work on 2.55km stretch is complete and the rest is held up owing to objections by the defence ministry.
Once constructed, this 6-lane bridge would streamline traffic and road connectivity between different areas of the city, including Mahanagar, Khurramnagar, Vikasnagar, Indiranagar to railway station and airport and also help the city to get rid of traffic jams.
"Army had raised objections to the 1.63km remaining stretch of the under-construction bridge citing the existence of two of its shooting ranges - trans-Gomti firing range and Kukrail firing range. Both the firing ranges, however, are not operational for the past few years and are in middle of densely populated areas," the CM said, adding that at least five letters have been sent from the state government to the ministry of defence seeking working permission for its construction.
Concluding the letter, the CM reiterated that state government does not need any additional land of the ministry of defence and needs only operation permission to build the 330 metre long overbridge.