Century old building gives way for multi-storey parking in Lucknow

Lucknow, July 5 (ANI): The century old Hazratganj Kotwali building in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow city was razed to ground by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) on Sunday in order to make way for a multi storey parking complex.

The Kotwali (or police station) was situated almost in the heart of the city.

Decks for the demolition of the Kotwali were cleared after the State Cabinet gave its nod to the parking project.

The 12-hour long operation began at 7.30 am on Sunday after the area around the Kotwali was cordoned off by a six feet high tin shade wall.

A crowd of curious onlookers watched the building being razed to ground as dozen of LDA bulldozers pulled down the structure.

Ironically, a huge celebration was organised earlier this year in January when Hazratganj Kotwali completed its 100 years of existence.

"Just like when an elderly member of a family dies, we are feeling the same. Today morning when I came the building was standing tall and now I can see the building being razed to the ground. In fact earlier this year in January, there was a huge celebration when the building completed its 100 years of existence and today it's been razed to the ground," said Ramesh Rastogi, a local resident.

Fareed Ahmed, another local resident, said that instead of destroying such an old building, the Lucknow Development Authority should have set up the project somewhere else.

"If the multi storey parking lot is set up then it will end our traffic woes but at the same time it's sad to see such an old building being destroyed. The Lucknow Development Authority should have set up the project somewhere else," said Fareed Ahmed.

Constructed in 1909, the Hazratganj Kotwali was one of the oldest police stations in the city since the British period.

The building was associated with several historical incidents including the resentment among PAC personnel way back in 1972. (ANI)