LUCKNOW, Sept. 6 -- Nearly three years after the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) began renovating and redesigning Butler Palace, the heritage project remains incomplete despite more than Rs.8.5 crore being spent and repeated deadlines issued for its completion. Several planned public facilities, including an island cafe, also remain inaccessible to visitors.

The latest example is the proposed island cafe at Butler Lake. On January 31, 2026, LDA vice-chairman Prathamesh Kumar had inspected the site and directed officials to make the cafe operational within 15 days. However, more than seven months later, the island remains locked and inaccessible.

The project was once the dream project of then divisional commissioner Roshan Jacob, dur...