Nehru projects for city that never materialised

Often criticised for lack of development work and failing to come out of its hangover of giving several prime ministers, Sangam city still awaits two ambitious projects—Allahabad Town Hall and Kamala Sarovar—which although planned by the country’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru, failed to see the day of light. Foundation stone of both was laid in early 1960s.
The two projects were the brainchild of Gauri Shankar Srivastava, a close associate of Nehru nominated by the latter for election from Phulpur.Foundation stone of the project was laid by then Vice President of India, Dr Sarwapalli Radhakrishnan.
These two projects were part of the Motilal Nehru birth centenary functions wherein four projects were planned for overall development of the city. Whereas the town hall was inaugurated on May 4, 1961 by Dr Radhakrishnan, the latter was approved by Nehru, but neither saw the light of day.
Sharing details of the projects, Gauri Shankar’s son Jawahar Srivastava said a three-day programme was chalked out wherein foundation stones of four projects were laid. Foundation stone for today’s MNNIT was laid by Nehru on May 3, 1961 and the next day (May 4, 1961) foundation stone for Moti Lal Nehru Town Hall was laid by Dr Radhakrishnan. Likewise, On May 5, then President Dr Rajendra Prasad inaugurated Swaroop Rani Hospital (SRN) and laid the foundation stone of MLN Medical College.
Though the other two projects, MNNIT and MNLMC, are catering to the needs of the nation, MLN Town Hall remained a dream. The foundation stone, which was laid in Company garden, on the side located in front of CAV Inter College, is untraceable.
Similarly, Gauri Shankar Srivastava, who was instrumental in bringing MNNIT, MNLMC and Shastri Bridge, had also proposed Kamala Sarovar project. Jawahar Srivastava said his father had written it would be named after Kamala Nehru, the wife of Jawaharlal and would be carved out of a portion of a subsidiary stream of Ganga which is separated from the main stream about three miles from Sangam. The project has been long forgotten.