LUCKNOW, April 26 -- A month after top civic officials flagged serious lapses, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has failed to restore basic facilities at the multi-level parking in Hazratganj. All four lifts remain defunct, and digital payment systems have not yet been reintroduced. A follow-up ground report by Hindustan Times on April 24 found that none of the four lifts installed in the facility are operational, forcing visitors- especially senior citizens-to rely on staircases to access upper floors. The continued inaction comes despite clear directions issued during a joint inspection by the mayor and municipal commissioner on March 24. During the latest visit, HT also observed that the parking facility continues to operate without digital payment options. Commuters are still required to pay in cash, highlighting a major gap in service delivery. There were irregularities in parking management too. Despite multiple vacant slots on the ground floor, staff had barricaded the area and directed vehicles to higher levels. On inquiry, a parking employee disclosed that nearby restaurants use several ground floor spaces for valet parking, while others are informally reserved by local shopkeepers and residents. This raises questions about the misuse of public infrastructure and the civic body's lack of monitoring. When contacted, additional municipal commissioner Pankaj Srivastava, who is also in charge of the facility, acknowledged the delay and said that the issue is linked to the tendering process. He stated that LMC has already floated tenders twice and has now issued a third tender, which is scheduled to open on May 4. Srivastava said the responsibility for repairing lifts and improving facilities will go to the new contractor. "If required, interim repair work can be initiated to address immediate concerns," he added. Earlier, on March 27, the LMC imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on a parking operator near KD Singh Babu Stadium after similar violations were found during inspections. The Hazratganj parking facility was also reviewed at the time, with officials directing immediate repair of lifts and better upkeep of the premises....