The ambitious Kukrail Night Safari in Lucknow, the dream project of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has passed its final test and has been approved by the Supreme Court.
Now the the Uttar Pradesh government will expedite the project , first of its kund in the country, in a fast track move after being delayed due to legal hurdles.
The UP government believes that the opening of the Kukrail Night Safari will establish a new identity for Lucknow on the international tourism map. This project will not only attract tourists from India and abroad, but will also boost tourism, employment, and the local economy in the capital.
The Supreme Court had approved the project, subject to the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and environmental conditions yesterday.
Officials here on Thursday said that the path is completely cleared for the construction of the country’s first and the world’s fifth night safari. Now, the state government will finalize the construction process and prepare to begin work soon.
Sources said after Supreme Court approval, the state government will proceed with construction, complying with all CEC requirements. Tendering and other administrative formalities will be completed based on the approved funds for the first phase of the project.
“A construction agency will be selected and work will begin on site. A special committee will also be formed to monitor the project, which will conduct monthly inspections and submit its report every three months to the state government, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), and the CEC” sources said.
According to officials government preparations are largely complete, and most of the necessary approvals have already been obtained.
“It is expected that construction work could begin within the next few months, once the administrative procedures are completed. The entire project will take at least two years to complete,” official added.
The Kukrail Night Safari project was granted in-principle approval by the state cabinet in August 2022. Subsequently, in February 2025, the Expenditure Finance Committee approved the project for ₹1,510 crore. The project had already received necessary approvals, including from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The case had also found in the government’s favor in the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Since the project is proposed in a reserved forest area, final approval required the Supreme Court’s approval, which has now been granted.
The Supreme Court approved the project on the condition that the CEC’s recommendations are implemented. The proposed adventure zone will not be built. The four-lane road will be replaced by a two-lane road. The Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Park will not be relocated to the Kukrail forest area. Tree felling will be kept to a minimum during the project, and extensive tree planting will be carried out.
Apart from this, low intensity wildlife friendly lighting will be used in the night safari, noise and vehicular movement will be controlled and there will be no interference with natural drains, streams and wetlands.
The project, spread over approximately 900 acres, will be developed in two phases. The first phase will cost ₹631 crore. Approximately 71 percent of the entire complex will be green space and will also utilize solar energy.
The Night Safari will feature modern amenities such as a 5.5-kilometer tramway, a 1.92-kilometer walking path, a cafeteria, a 7D theater, an auditorium, and parking. Wildlife, including Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, leopards, alligators, hyenas, and flying squirrels, will be a major tourist attraction.