LUCKNOW, March 16 -- Residents along Lucknow's Kanpur Road scheme may soon have five new public parks to walk, exercise and unwind in, on land that has, for years, been left to encroachers and used as a dumping ground. The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has approved a plan to reclaim and redevelop the green belts. LDA vice-chairman Prathamesh Kumar cleared the proposal, directing officials to begin phased development of the stretches, which are currently covered with bushes and have faced encroachments over the years. The total project budget is estimated at around Rs 2.5 crore, including two years of maintenance. The parks will be developed with amenities including open gyms, children's swings, landscaped gardens, walking pathways and seating areas. Decorative lighting and entrance gates will also be installed to improve accessibility and aesthetics. The move follows complaints from residents about the poor condition of these green belts. Locals said the unused land had become a frequent spot for anti-social elements due to lack of maintenance and monitoring. The five identified green belts include a seven-acre stretch in Sector C-1 Aashiyana and a five-acre Maa Tara Upvan green belt in Sector D-1. A nearly seven-acre park will also be upgraded with recreational facilities. Green belt 4, measuring nearly 15 acres and located in front of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University and behind the CRPF campus, is also part of the project. A 10-acre green belt in Madari Kheda Sector-G, where preliminary work has already begun, rounds out the list. Development will take place in phases, starting with clearing bushes, removing encroachments and carrying out landscaping, followed by construction of walking pathways and installation of lighting. Play equipment, open gyms and seating arrangements will be added in later stages....