India, May 21 -- LUCKNOW As vehicles stopped at the busy Hazratganj crossing after the 'stop signal' on Wednesday afternoon, something was amiss. There were no children or differently-abled individuals rushing towards vehicles and knocking at the windows seeking alms - much in contrast to the earlier bustling beggary. For the second consecutive day, alm-seekers were not seen at major crossings of Lucknow, the district administration's intensified crackdown against the menace.

Team HT carried out a reality check at Polytechnic crossing, foot over bridge, Hazratganj crossing, Bapu Bhawan crossing, Charbagh and other areas on Wednesday afternoon, but did not come across any beggars at these places.

"Our ultimate aim is to cut down the econ...