LUCKNOW, Dec. 2 -- A long-promised skating rink built under the Mithaiwala flyover in Gomti Nagar's Vivek Khand remains locked months after completion, and the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has now moved to convert the site into a temporary winter shelter. The shift has left local skating enthusiasts disappointed and disheartened as the promised facility stays out of reach despite public funds already spent. The rink was developed to reclaim encroached stretches under flyovers and turn them into children's recreation zones that could also help generate revenue. However, despite most construction work being completed, none of the planned rinks have been opened to the public. Spread across 350 sq ft, the skating rink in Gomti Nagar was part of LMC's Rs 20 lakh urban reclamation plan. Civil work, including tiling, railings and paint, was completed months ago, yet the site remains locked with no staff presence, confirmed LMC executive engineer Atul Mishra. Mishra said the idea was to utilise the vacant under-flyover space for public use while deriving financial returns. Earlier this year, HT reported that the Mithaiwala project was stuck due to pending financial approval for the remaining work. LMC officials had then claimed that the rink was near completion and would open soon. But three months after HT's June 2025 report, no progress has taken place and the condition of the site has deteriorated further. Mishra, who supervised the construction, said the project is on hold and the under-flyover area will be used as a winter shelter for the homeless. "The skating rink has been put on hold for now," he said, adding that the project may be reviewed after the winter season. htc...