For anyone who has lived in Lucknow — even visited or travelled through the city — Hazratganj remains an iconic entity. Quite like the Chandni Chowk in Delhi or the Meena Bazaar in Lahore.
This quaint city centre that has rows of shops on either side has remained a favourite shopping centre for the young and the old and the advent of luxurious malls in the state capital has not diminished the charm of Hazratganj.
“Ganjing”, or simply loitering through Hazratganj, has remained the favourite pastime of Lucknowites and every single resident of the city has knowingly or unknowingly indulged in this passion at one time or the other.
In December this year, Hazratganj completes 200 years of its existence and the state government is working overtime to restore the pristine glory of this market centre.
New sewer lines have been laid, encroachments removed, roads widened and footpaths have been tiled. Parking lots in Hazratganj have been shifted to a newly-constructed multi-level parking slot and fountains have been erected on the 200-metre pathway.
Victorian lamp posts and wrought iron benches have been set up to make “Ganjing” even more leisurely.
All the buildings are being repaired and given a uniform colour scheme of cream and pink while signboards of shops will also be in one size and colour scheme.
“The state government is spending about `200 crores on the makeover of Hazratganj and we have been working round the clock since the past three months to complete work that would have normally taken a year. Once the makeover is complete, Hazratganj will emerge as a tourist destination of sorts and ‘Ganjing’ will be a whole new experience,” says a senior official associated with the makeover project.
The makeover project that was earlier scheduled to have been completed by the month-end, has now been extended to the first week of January by the chief minister Mayawati who is personally monitoring the progress of work.
“We plan to celebrate 200 years of Hazratganj by hosting a series of programmes that include photo exhibitions, performances by well known artists and seminars. The events will be a celebration of Hazratganj that is a part of history,” says Chander Prakash of Lucknow connect, an organisation that is playing a key role in the makeover of Hazratganj.