Come December 7, and one can hop onto a double-decker bus in Lucknow for a curated tour of the city’s iconic places — from an exclusive visit to Vidhan Sabha Bhavan to historical sites of The Residency and Sibtainabad Imambara, to even the newly established Food Valley. All it would cost for the three-hour drive is Rs 500.
The project of the UP State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC) got a green flag on Saturday evening after the successful completion of a two-day mock drill that was conducted to check the feasibility of the service and to make last-minute changes, if any.
“We are all set to roll out regular city tours through Lucknow Darshan Electric Double Decker Bus from January 7. The mock drills were used to fine-tune operational arrangements and passenger comfort,” said an official of UPSTDC on Saturday after the completion of a test ride with 45 people.According to officials, there will be morning and evening bus rides, with changes in their routes.
“The morning tour will start from 1090 Chauraha in Gomti Nagar at 08.30 am and will conclude by 11:30 am after criss-crossing the city, covering some of the iconic landmarks, including Raj Bhavan, GPO, and Hazratganj market,” said an official.
Officials said the proposed destinations will include a visit to Ambedkar Park, developed during the BSP regime, and the newly unveiled UP Darshan Park after passing through Begum Hazrat Mahal Park and Globe Park.
“The visitors will also be taken to The Residency, a defining site of the 1857 uprising, for a detailed tour as well as a light and sound show during the evening tour. The route will include Chattar Manzil and Gomti Riverfront,” said the official.
The tour will include ticketed entry to The Residency and UP Darshan Park, along with an exclusive entry to the Vidhan Sabha Bhavan.
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The evening tour will begin from 4 pm and conclude by 7 pm at Food Valley.
“Light refreshments will be provided during the tours, and a 10 per cent discount on ticket bookings will be available till January 31,” said the official.
Last year, Uttar Pradesh hosted the highest number of visitors with 646.81 million domestic tourists, accounting for 21.94 per cent of the national share.
In November, UNESCO declared Lucknow a “Creative City of Gastronomy” at the 43rd session of its General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The designation places Lucknow among 70 gastronomy cities worldwide and makes it the second Indian city to win the title after Hyderabad.
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Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.
Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world’s most populous sub-national entity.
Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. … Read More
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