LUCKNOW, Dec. 22 -- Lucknow Municipal Corporation's (LMC) bonfire wood (alaav) distribution drive, meant to provide relief to the homeless and street vendors during the harsh winter, remains largely absent on the ground at several major intersections and public spaces across the state capital, despite official claims of wide coverage. While LMC has maintained that bonfire wood is being provided at hundreds of locations, many prominent areas continue to lack the facility, leaving the city's most vulnerable residents exposed to cold nights. The issue has surfaced at a time when a large number of civic officials are engaged in arrangements at Rashtra Prerna Sthal. On December 19, HT visited key areas, including Patrakarpuram, near Lohia Hospital, and Jopling Road, and no bonfire arrangements were found. Residents of Gomti Nagar, Aashiana, Transport Nagar and Jankipuram also reported the absence of bonfires at major intersections and crowded locations. LMC has ensured bonfire wood availability at its shelter homes-both temporary and permanent. However, outside these shelters, particularly at traffic intersections, under flyovers and in busy market areas, the homeless and daily wagers say they are yet to receive any support from the civic body. Earlier, LMC chief engineer (civil) Mahesh Verma had claimed that around 550 locations had been finalised across the city for bonfire wood distribution. Contrary to this assertion, residents and social organisations report that the drive is not visible at many identified and high-footfall locations. In the absence of official arrangements, people are resorting to unsafe alternatives. Several homeless collect discarded wooden materials and scrap from nearby localities to light fires. During a revisit to the Husadiya intersection in Gomti Nagar, a roadside tea vendor told Hindustan Times that he was arranging wood on his own. Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar was unavailable for his comments on the issue....