LUCKNOW, Aug. 25 -- Daily commuters and residents are bearing the brunt of Lucknow Municipal Corporation's (LMC) delayed project between Nishatganj intersection and the Paper Mill stretch. Months after the deadline, the road, dividers and entrance gate remain incomplete, leaving the busy route in a hazardous condition due to which commuters and the pedestrians are facing day to day challenges. The project was launched in the mid of 2024 with a deadline of one year for its completion. Those using the road say incomplete dividers and pothole-riddled surfaces have made the stretch unsafe, especially during evening hours. "Everyday commuters face problems. There are potholes, half-built dividers and no streetlights. It feels unsafe even in the evening," said Atul Chaturvedi, a commuter who lives nearby. Residents allege that despite sanctioning of funds, the work has been abandoned midway. "The pace is painfully slow and officials are ignoring our difficulties," said a commuter Ritik Sethi. The project, costing around Rs.85 lakh, was meant to widen the road, build dividers and re-construct an entrance gate in memory of Kargil war hero Navneet Rai. While widening and ground-level work have been done, dividers and the gate remain unfinished. LMC Executive Engineer Atul Mishra admitted the delay but blamed lack of traffic police permission. "We need at least two weeks of diversion to complete the remaining work.Traffic officials had assured us of written orders after August 15, but we are still waiting," he said. Mishra added that only finishing and beautification remain. "Once we get permission, we can complete the gate, dividers and lighting quickly," he said. The engineer also criticised the Jalkal Department for cutting roads to lay water pipelines, leaving uneven gaps. "Their work has worsened the condition of the stretch," Mishra said. HT tried to contact additional municipal commissioner and Zone 4 in-charge Namrata Singh, but she was unavailable for comment. Angry residents and commuters demand that the civic body and traffic police resolve the deadlock immediately. "Officials may pass the blame, but it is we who suffer every day," Chaturvedi said....