LUCKNOW, Aug. 19 -- Lucknow mayor Sushma Kharkwal pulled up the contractor and directed officials to speed up construction of several key civic projects as delays keep the city from improved drainage, flood-management facilities, public amenities and municipal services.

Kharkwal reviewed the progress of projects being executed by Construction and Design Services (CNDS) at the Lalbagh-based municipal headquarters on Wednesday. She directed officials to remove bottlenecks and ensure that delayed projects meet their deadlines without compromising construction quality.

Officials reviewed the remodelling of the Qila Mohammadi drain and construction of a storm-water drainage system, besides an RCC storm-water drain planned to divert the Geeta...