The road in the vicinity of Bhim Rao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal in Gomti Nagar, which was closed a few months ago, now houses a statue of Chattrapati Shahuji Maharaj. The UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) plans to develop the stretch as a park.

The road lies between Ambedkar Memorial and Chattrapati Shahuji Maharaj Research and Training Centre, better known as Bhagidari Bhawan, and leads to Sahara Shahar and the Vipul Khand locality of Gomti Nagar.

“An enclosure will be made around the 12-feet statue, with access from the Gomti embankment. The cost of the project is over Rs 33 crore,” said an engineer of UPRNN.

A giant gate of Mirjapuri stone will be made on the approach road to the statue and a green area will be developed on both sides of the approach road. The project will be part of Bhagidari Bhawan, he said.

In December, the boundary wall of Bhagidari Bhawan was demolished to make it match the park’s architecture.

Similarly, the Bhagidari Bhawan is being renovated with Chunar stones. Nearby, a double-storey guest house has been developed for VIPs who will visit the Bhagdari Bhawan.

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) had started groundwork for closing this road on September 6, 2008, when the LDA board changed its land use from transport to public amenities. Land use of another adjacent road was also changed on the same day.

The Gomti Nagar Jankalyan Mahasamiti had challenged the closure of this road through a Public Interest Litigation and the matter is still pending before the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.