LUCKNOW, Aug. 25 -- Nearly 100 streets across Lucknow have been cleared following an intensive anti-encroachment drive launched earlier this week, officials said on Sunday. The campaign, initiated on Wednesday, has widened key roads and improved traffic flow across the city. Data from the five police zones, East, West, North, South, and Central, shows that South and West zones recorded the maximum clearance, with the operation carried out in coordination with the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC). "Encroachment has been a major cause of congestion. This action is intended to restore public spaces and improve traffic discipline," a senior police official supervising the operation said. Additional deputy commissioner of police (South Zone) Vasanth Rallapalli said vendors at busy mandis, fruit stalls, and fast-food centres were blocking roads during peak hours. "We held a settlement session at PGI police station and helped them shift to nearby open areas where they can continue business without obstructing traffic," he added. Locals welcomed the drive, noting that long-choked stretches are now accessible. "Earlier, it took 20 minutes to cross 200 metres near Alambagh due to vendors. Today, the road looks almost new," Anita Srivastava said....