RailEnquiry

LUCKNOW: Calling Lucknow a melting pot of religion, culture and languages, Chander Prakash, president of Lucknow Connect spoke about developing the city as a tourist destination, but not in isolation. He suggested developing Trinity Heritage Circuit which envisages integrated development of wonder city of Agra, fantasy city of Lucknow and the oldest city of Varanasi.The foremost requirement to develop tourism is developing air connectivity. "The Taj belongs to our state and yet we cannot capitalise on it. It is our loss," he said. To capitalise on tourism potential in Agra, there is a need to make its night life electrifying. The city should enthuse its guests to stay on," he said. The three cities, including Lucknow, should have international flights to and fro all the major countries, he added.The development of these three cities has to be monitored by three different officers of the government. The potential world heritage sites in these cities should be looked after and maintained with due diligence.Talking specifically about Lucknow, Chander Prakash said, Urban Arts Commission can be developed to develop and preserve Lucknow's cultural ethos. Apart from Hazratganj's maintenance, Aminabad and Chowk should also be targeted. The Gomti that runs through the city's heart has to be conserved. The river has lost its pristine glory. Its flow has reduced and is badly contaminated, he said.

"River inter-linking can be considered," he said. There is a need to construct parks like Lohia Park in the city. The traffic congestion is the constant public woe, and efforts have to be made to do away with it. "The government is already studying the feasibility of metro rail and bus rapid transport system, it can also study mono rails," he said.

The city has to have enough employment opportunities for its people. There is a need to bring in BPOs which can employ thousands of people. Though 14% of state's population is employed in IT sector, it only contributes 5-6% revenue.

"Can we do something to check migration of children after 10+2 to other cities for better educational opportunities," he asked. He also suggested bringing the professionals employed outside the state back to UP.

Five points:

1. Lucknow is all about culture, therefore if Lucknow has to survive, its culture should be preserved

2. Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi Trinity Heritage Circuit has to be develop to tap the tourism potential in the state

3. Lucknow and other cities should have better air connectivity, with more international flights

4. The Gomti has to be saved

5. There is a need to improve the transport network in the city. Mono rails can be considered