Lucknow Flyover Stuck: Building Blocks Bridge, Work Halts, Public Suffers—Akhilesh Yadav Slams Authorities

In the city of Nawabs, a unique spectacle has left residents both amazed and frustrated—a flyover in Kesari Kheda, Lucknow, stands incomplete, its progress stalled by a single building that refuses to budge. What was meant to be a symbol of progress has turned into a monument of bureaucratic chaos and poor planning.

The flyover, inaugurated with much fanfare by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh two years ago, was supposed to seamlessly connect two ends of Kesari Kheda, easing traffic and benefiting over 500,000 people in 20 surrounding colonies. However, for the past six months, construction has come to a grinding halt, all because one multi-storey building stands directly in the path of the bridge.

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A Comedy of Errors or a Tragedy of Planning?
Locals are baffled. The building was constructed before the flyover project began, raising serious questions about the planning and mapping process. How did the authorities miss such a major obstacle? Residents recall that when the project was announced, excitement ran high. Now, with work stalled, frustration has replaced hope.

The dispute centers around compensation for the property owners. Eight people are awaiting settlements, with the owner of the blocked building holding out for a fair deal. Regular visits from officials have done little to resolve the deadlock, and the public’s patience is wearing thin.

Public Outcry
With the bridge incomplete, daily life has become a struggle for thousands. Traffic jams, long detours, and safety concerns have become routine. “When the flyover was announced, we were thrilled. Now, we just want the work to finish so our lives can return to normal,” said a local resident.

Akhilesh Yadav’s Jibe
The issue has also taken a political turn. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav took to social media, sharing images of the stalled flyover and criticizing the government’s lack of planning. “This is what happens when you abolish the Planning Commission—projects go ahead without any real plan. At least be thankful they didn’t try to build the bridge right through the building!” he quipped, taking a dig at the ruling BJP and alleging corruption.

What Next?
Officials from the Setu Nigam (Bridge Corporation) have refrained from making on-camera statements, but assure that the matter is being handled through proper channels. The dispute over compensation is now with the revenue department, and negotiations are ongoing. District authorities promise a resolution soon, but for the people of Kesari Kheda, “soon” cannot come quickly enough.

With ₹74 crore invested and a kilometer-long bridge hanging in the balance, the Lucknow flyover saga is a telling example of how poor planning and unresolved disputes can bring even the grandest projects to a standstill. For now, the bridge stands as a reminder—progress can’t move forward if the road ahead is blocked.

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