Lucknow: A delegation from municipal corporations from Brazil’s Piquete city in São Paulo state visited Lucknow on Wednesday to examine civic and infrastructure projects executed by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation.The visit was led by Piquete mayor Romulo, accompanied by senior municipal officials and representatives from the Indo-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, marking a key step towards city-level India-Brazil collaboration. The civic officials briefed the delegation on urban development, waste management, public spaces, and smart city initiatives in Lucknow during the tour. The delegation was received at the Smart City office by mayor Sushma Kharkwal and municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar, with several corporators and senior officials present. During the meeting, a briefing on ongoing projects was provided, followed by a short film showcasing landmarks like UP Darshan Park, Prerna Sthal, Shivri waste processing plant, construction and demolition (C&D) waste plant, PCTS-FCTS system, and organised vending zones.Mayor Romulo presented Piquete’s development model, emphasising smart governance and technology in services. An invitation was extended to Mayor Kharkwal and LMC officials for a reciprocal visit to Brazil, proposing exchanges of ideas and best practices. “The scale and planning of these projects are impressive. Several models can be adapted for our city,” Romulo stated. The delegation later visited sites including UP Darshan Park. The delegation appreciated the public space design using waste material. The delegation also visited Rashtra Prerna Sthal and learned about its transformation from a dumping site into a memorial, which drew keen interest. Officials detailed the reclamation process and conceptual vision. Kharkwal said, “The municipal corporation’s work is now being noticed beyond India. Such international exchanges will enable cities to learn from each other and enhance urban governance.”
