India, Aug. 14 -- LUCKNOW Hazratganj, the heart of Lucknow and one of the busiest market areas in the city, is more than just a destination - it's a passage with thousands crossing through it every day to reach different parts of the city. And a traffic mess here on any given day makes one thing clear - when Ganj stops, Lucknow comes to a halt!

The chaos on Monday was a glaring example. Traffic snarls began around 10am when traffic diversions were rolled out for the Monsoon Session of the UP legislative assembly. The move was aimed at facilitating VVIP convoys, but instead of easing congestion, the plan triggered a citywide chain reaction. Within an hour, Hazratganj was clogged with re-routed vehicles.

A spell of rain worsened the situa...