LUCKNOW, April 5 -- Authorities on Saturday launched the long-pending widening of the Sitapur Road-Pucca Pul Bandha Marg in Lucknow North, aiming to ease congestion on one of the busiest stretches in the area. The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has taken up the Rs.45 crore project, which will expand the 3-km road from 5 metres to 14 metres and add a central divider. Officials said the widening would significantly cut travel time and reduce daily traffic snarls. The project is expected to benefit residents of Triveni Nagar, Ayodhya Das Nagar, Faizullahganj and adjoining areas, where traffic pressure has increased sharply in recent years. Commuters currently face long delays during peak hours due to the limited width of the road. MLA Neeraj Bora performed the ground-breaking ceremony along with Raghvendra Shukla, officer on special duty to the defence minister, and MP's representative Diwakar Tripathi. Bora said the narrow carriageway had turned the route into a bottleneck, causing frequent jams and inconvenience to commuters. "We pushed for this project after consistent public demand. The widened stretch will ensure smoother and safer movement," he added. Highlighting the infrastructure push under the central and state governments, Bora said development works in Lucknow North have gained pace. "Road connectivity is being strengthened to support growing urban needs," he added....