Hazratganj, one of Lucknow’s most iconic and centuries-old markets, is set to undergo a much-needed revamp. The district administration has now stepped in with a comprehensive plan to restore its charm.

At a recent meeting held at the LDA office, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob met with representatives of the Hazratganj Vyapar Mandal to discuss the proposed upgrades. Dr. Jacob stressed the importance of preserving the market’s aesthetic appeal and directed all business owners to adopt a uniform black-and-white theme for their signboards.

Previously, only the main stretch of Hazratganj featured uniform signboards, but this directive now extends to shopowners in the market’s bylanes, ensuring consistency throughout the area.

LDA has further announced plans for an extensive beautification drive in Hazratganj as part of its upcoming revamp. The initiative will include repainting railings, benches, and bollards, along with the installation of new dustbins across the market area.

During the meeting, traders raised concerns about long-standing issues, including unresolved sewage and drainage problems that have persisted since the metro construction. They also highlighted the need to underground the overhead wires and improve the overall sanitation in the area.

In response, Dr. Jacob directed officials from the Water Department and Lucknow Electric Supply Administration (LESA) to conduct site inspections and address these issues promptly. Additionally, extra cleanliness staff will be deployed to tackle sanitation problems and ensure a cleaner, more organized Hazratganj.

The shopkeepers, office and business owners of Hazratganj have now received directives to adopt uniform black-and-white signboards. While many shop owners have already complied, some are yet to replace their colourful signage.

Rajeev Roy, who runs a watch shop in the main market, shared, “Both my shops have featured black-and-white-themed signboards for a long time. Only a few shops still have colourful ones.” Highlighting the need for maintenance, he added, “The streetlights and footpaths are in bad shape. I hope repair work begins soon.”

Sameer, a computer repair shop owner in the nearby Naza Market revealed, “Earlier, only shops on the main stretch were asked to follow the uniform theme. This time, we also received calls to change our colourful signboards to the black-and-white theme.”

However, the deteriorating condition of the market remains a bigger concern. Anil Kapur, owner of Lahore Opticals, expressed his dissatisfaction. “The market was last revamped in 2010, and since then, no significant repair work has been done. There’s a lack of dustbins leading to garbage piling up in many areas. Broken streetlights and unpainted buildings further add to the neglect.”