Latest news with #KamleshDixit
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Lucknow comes to a halt when its ‘heart' is choked
LUCKNOW Hazratganj, the heart of Lucknow and one of the busiest market areas in the city, is more than just a destination - it's a passage with thousands crossing through it every day to reach different parts of the city. And a traffic mess here on any given day makes one thing clear – when Ganj stops, Lucknow comes to a halt! With increasing bottlenecks, people have started avoiding shopping here as no one wants to waste time in a jam, said a trader. (File Photo) The chaos on Monday was a glaring example. Traffic snarls began around 10am when traffic diversions were rolled out for the Monsoon Session of the UP legislative assembly. The move was aimed at facilitating VVIP convoys, but instead of easing congestion, the plan triggered a citywide chain reaction. Within an hour, Hazratganj was clogged with re-routed vehicles. A spell of rain worsened the situation. By noon, arterial roads leading to Qaiserbagh, Aminabad, Hussainganj and Charbagh turned into choke points. The ripple effect spread further: Alambagh, Mahanagar and Gomti Nagar also saw severe traffic snarls. Commuters reported being stuck for up to two hours on stretches that normally take 20 minutes. 35% more traffic, city crawls at 6kmph According to traffic department data, about 1.4 lakh vehicles cross Hazratganj during peak hours on a regular weekday. On Monday, the diversions pushed an additional 30–35% traffic load into adjoining residential lanes. Average speed in the central zone dropped from 22 kmph to just 6 kmph between 11:30am and 3pm. 'Lucknow still follows a 'colonial traffic grid' where Hazratganj acts as the central node. Unlike cities with ring roads or bypasses, we have limited alternative corridors. This makes VVIP days difficult,' said deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Kamlesh Dixit. 'Diversions are always required for the Monsoon Session. We are working on intelligent signal systems and better public transport integration,' he added. Jam impacts biz too The jam didn't just test commuters' patience, it also hit trade. Shopkeepers in Hazratganj said they faced a drop in footfall, while food delivery apps flagged delays of hours across the city. Several school buses reached their depots late. Commuters who crossed Hazratganj for office also bore the brunt for choosing the city's central area. 'With increasing bottlenecks, people have started to avoid shopping here as no one wants to waste their time in a jam,' said Vinod K, owner of a popular apparel shop in Ganj. 'I leave Indira Nagar at 11am and usually reach Charbagh around 1:30pm when there is a jam-like condition. After Monday's traffic snarls, it felt like the entire city was stuck in one giant loop,' said a daily commuter Vikram Singh, a railway employee, who takes the Ganj route every day to reach the Charbagh railway station. What experts say Ganj and its adjoining areas are dotted by business/retail outlets, schools, eateries, government offices and spaces for protests, making it bustling with activity throughout the day. After multiple initiatives failed to yield results in the city which struggles with daily traffic chaos, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has come up with another plan to decongest roads. 'For the first time, a detailed City Mobility Plan (CMP) has been prepared with the help of a private consultant firm to regulate public transport, managing traffic flow and improving overall urban mobility under a long-term vision,' said AK Gautam, city town planner, LDA. CITY MOBILITY PLAN * Construction of elevated roads and new flyovers to ease congestion at choke points. * Improvement of existing road infrastructure and junctions. * Promote public transport, including Metro expansion to key suburbs. * Creation of dedicated parking zones to reduce roadside vehicle halts. * Regulation of e-rickshaw movement permitting them only in inner lanes and prohibiting their operation on main roads. * Streamlining city bus routes and ensuring buses stop only at designated points to prevent traffic bottlenecks. * Expand ring roads and create alternative corridors to bypass the core.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
100 or more traffic challans in Lucknow against five bikers
Five of the top 10 repeat traffic offenders in the city have been issued at least 100 challans for violations, as per the integrated traffic management system (ITMS) in place here. The 10th worst offender has violated traffic rules at least 85 times. (File) 'ITMS data show that some individuals have accumulated an alarming number of e-challans. In some cases, individuals have crossed 100 violations just this year alone,' said deputy commissioner of police (DCP)-Traffic Kamlesh Dixit told HT. As per the data, the most frequent offender has been issued 127 challans. All offenders in the list were driving two-wheelers when they were fined. The violations included jumping signals, overspeeding, riding without helmets, entering no-entry zones, and lane indiscipline. 'These violations show that for some, penalties are not acting as a deterrent. We are actively considering stricter actions,' added the DCP traffic. According to sources in the traffic department, it is exploring measures such as suspending driving licences, seizing vehicles with multiple unpaid challans, and conducting special drives targeting high-risk zones. Additionally, public awareness campaigns are being planned to educate people about the risks of reckless driving. Top 10 offenders Rider 1 – 127 challansRider 2 – 117 challansRider 3 – 110 challansRider 4 – 101 challansRider 5 – 100 challansRider 6 – 97 challansRider 7 – 94 challansRider 8 – 92 challansRider 9 – 88 challansRider 10 – 85 challans
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Time of India
QR Code now mandatory for e-rickshaws, autos in Lucknow
Lucknow: In a bid to ensure commuter safety and regulate public transport, Lucknow Police on Tuesday launched 'Project Safe Ride', a digital verification initiative that makes it mandatory for all auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws in the city to register and display a unique QR code on their vehicles. The project aims to create a city-wide verified database of public transport operators and eliminate unregistered or unsafe vehicles from city roads. Joint commissioner of police (Law & Order) Babloo Kumar said the project mandates online registration of all public transport vehicles via the police portal. Once verified by the police, a QR code will be issued, which must be printed and pasted on the vehicle's front screen. "From Sept 1, 2025, operating without a verified QR code will be considered illegal," said DCP Traffic Kamlesh Dixit. The QR code will allow passengers to scan and verify vehicle and driver details in real time using any smartphone. "This isn't just a sticker; it's a security tool. It empowers passengers to confirm they are riding with a legitimate driver," Dixit added. During a city-wide awareness meeting at Police Lines, representatives from nearly 30 auto and e-rickshaw unions were briefed on the process. Police also warned of strict enforcement beginning September 1, including penalties and route bans for non-compliant vehicles.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
8 held for fraud linked to Chinese cybercons
1 2 Lucknow: The Lucknow cyber cell has busted an international cyber fraud racket operated in collaboration with Chinese nationals via the Telegram app, arresting eight individuals involved in illegally converting scam money into cryptocurrency (USDT) and routing it abroad. "During the operation conducted on July 15, the police seized Rs 1.75 lakh in cash, 12 mobile phones, 13 ATM cards, two passbooks, and three cheque books from the accused," said DCP Crime Kamlesh Dixit. According to the police, the accused acted as local operatives for Chinese cybercriminals and used Telegram channels such as 32-105/1, 32-105/3, and 32-105/5 PAYGir G0! to receive instructions. "They lured economically weaker individuals from various districts into opening bank accounts under the pretext of easy money. The credentials of these accounts were then shared with their handlers in China. The scam funds—collected under the guise of online trading, digital arrests, task cards, and work-from-home schemes—were transferred into these accounts. The accused then quickly withdrew the money before the accounts could be flagged or frozen. A portion of the fraudulently obtained money was kept as commission, while the rest was converted into cryptocurrency (USDT) and sent to Chinese digital wallets," said ADCP Crime, Vasant Kumar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo The accused have been identified as Rahul Sonkar (22), Mohammad Salman (28), Devansh Shukla (19), Raj Rawat (21), Faizan (21), Mojiz (21), Ankit Yadav (22), and Karan Rawat (19), all residents of Lucknow. An FIR has been registered under Sections 317(2), 318(4), and 61(2)(B) of the BNS, along with Section 66C of the IT Act, at the Cyber Crime Police Station.
Hindustan Times
13-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Lucknow women accuses husband of rape, conversion, molestation of daughter
Hasanganj police in the state capital on Saturday registered a case against a man under relevant sections after his wife accused him of rape, forced religious conversion along with molestation of their minor daughter. A cop said the victim said in her complaint that out of fear she agreed to live with the accused who took a room on rent in Tedhi Puliya area in Lucknow.(HT/Representational Image) Confirming it, DCP, crime, Kamlesh Dixit said further action will be taken after probing the matter. As per him, the woman gave her complaint on Friday and the case was registered on Saturday. The woman in her complaint alleged that the accused Mohammed Nazil sexually assaulted her and later involved his father and brothers in her repeated abuse. As per the complaint, the accused had first trapped her when she was in high school. Later, when she resisted her advances, the accused allegedly threatened to kill her family soon after her father passed away. The accused then alleged drugged and raped her and even recorded a video of the act to blackmail her. Also read: Haryana: Railway employee among 2 held in gang-rape case A cop said the victim said in her complaint that out of fear she agreed to live with the accused who took a room on rent in Tedhi Puliya area in Lucknow and started living with her. When she asked about marriage, he refused and demanded that she convert to Islam. In August 2020, Nazil allegedly took her to Nadwa after her conversion and both got married. The police official said the victim later moved to a rented house in Munshipulia. There, Nazil's brothers Adil and Qadir allegedly started visiting and sexually assaulting her. When she complained to Nazil, he dismissed her concerns, the victim alleged in her complaint. The official said in January 2022, the woman gave birth to a daughter. However, the abuse continued. When the victim tried to protect her daughter, the accused allegedly assaulted her. The victim recorded a video of Nazil making the child consume liquor as evidence.
