LUCKNOW, Jan. 8 -- The age-old popular tagline associated with the state capital -- 'Muskuraiye Aap Lucknow Mein Hain' -- rings hollow when tourists visit the iconic Asafi or Bada Imambara, one of the most architecturally impressive buildings of its time built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1786-91.

At a time when the tourist footfall is high because of winter vacations, visitors are greeted by chaos, filth and poor regulation instead of heritage splendour.

As tourist vehicles approach the cobbled access road leading to the monument, views of both the Rumi Darwaza and the Bada Imambara are obstructed by rows of cars and two-wheelers parked haphazardly across the heritage structures. The drivers of battery and auto rickshaws, ekka-tongas coul...