A curated Lucknow darshan on a double-decker bus to be a reality this week: Rs 500 for a 3-hour ride

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. (Photo/upstdc.co.in)

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.

“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.

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.