A major crack has developed in the Daliganj underpass near the Scientific Convention Centre in Lucknow, raising safety concerns for commuters and trains passing overhead.

The Gomti breached its banks on Monday, flooding homes in River Green Enclave, Sector 7, Gomti Nagar Extension; residents said more than 20 houses in one pocket were affected. Families moved to hotels and other temporary accommodation. Flooding occurred despite no rain in Lucknow that day.

Water accumulated from Ahimamau crossing towards the Signature Building, around Ekana Stadium and in underpasses linking to Janeshwar Mishra Park. Residents also cited a nearby drain obstructed by soil.

At 8am, river levels were 113.15 metres at Bhatpurva, 108.39m at Gaughat, 106.93m at Hanuman Setu and 106.70m at the Gomti barrage. By 5pm, levels were 113.14m at Bhatpurva (down 2cm), 108.45m at Gaughat (up 13cm), 107m at Hanuman Setu (up 7cm) and 106.70m at the barrage (up 10cm in 24 hours). Sarayan River flows from Lakhimpur and Sitapur also contributed.

LDA inspected the area. It found no structural damage to the Green Corridor at Daliganj crossing’s Barrel No. 14; erosion was outside its slope. LDA transferred ₹76 lakh to LMC to extend an outlet pipe towards the river and began precautionary stone pitching.

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) expects to open the nearly one-kilometre railway overbridge connecting Daliganj with the Pucca Pul crossing near Teele Wali Masjid within days. Black-topping is underway and is expected to finish in two to three days. The opening will complete the 13.5-km Green Corridor stretch between IIM Road and Samta Mulak crossing, enabling continuous travel across Daliganj–Pucca Pul and improving north–central Lucknow connections. The overbridge is the last major component of Phase 2, costing around ₹209 crore. Phase 2’s Mankameshwar Road–Suraj Kund Park bridge and two elevated rotaries are complete and inaugurated; construction issues delayed the overbridge. A planned intersection near Teele Wali Masjid and Pucca Pul would direct IIM Road traffic towards Sitapur Road and allow vehicles for Old Lucknow and Daliganj to continue along the corridor. The plan is held up by construction of a parallel bridge by the Bridge Corporation; its approach road still needs soil filling and other work. Traffic is expected to shift from heritage Pucca Pul to the new bridge, prompting LDA to coordinate the intersection design. A boundary wall encroaches on road space; moving it inward by a few inches would enable the required alignment, while leaving it could reduce road width and cause congestion. LDA secretary Sushil Pratap Singh said the connection would ease travel for thousands of commuters.

Lucknow University (LU) has about 21,000 students across two campuses but accommodation for only 2,900. Its 18 hostels comprise nine each for boys and girls, with 1,200 beds for boys and 1,700 for girls. Around 1,750 beds are occupied by continuing students, leaving about 1,150 for nearly 10,000 new undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking admission.

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a proposal for a 350-bed girls’ hostel, with construction expected to begin soon. LU is preparing a proposal for another hostel; plans for two more at its second campus have been submitted to the government for approval and financial assistance.

Students also rent private hostels in Narhi, Daliganj and Aminabad, or flats in Nirala Nagar and Aliganj. LU hostel fees range from ₹4,800 to ₹25,000 a year, depending on hostel and room type. Private accommodation often costs more, and living farther from campus adds commuting costs.

Lucknow’s second Green Corridor phase, from Samtamulak Crossing in Gomtinagar to Daliganj via Nishatganj, is likely to open by the end of January. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to inaugurate it; the date is not finalised. The corridor is expected to ease central-city congestion and benefit more than 1 lakh commuters daily. Travel between Gomtinagar, the city centre and Daliganj is expected to take 10–15 minutes.

Construction from Samtamulak Crossing to Nishatganj is complete, with finishing work pending at the Nishatganj intersection. Road widening from Birbal Sahni Marg to Hanuman Setu is complete, but asphalt laying remains. Project manager A K Sengar said the remaining work is likely to finish within two weeks, subject to weather conditions, as low temperatures can affect asphalt laying.