Illegal constructions: LDA eyes high and mighty on the list
LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Development Authority is in no mood to spare the violators, no matter how high and mighty they are and how much clout they wield.
The LDA is going all out against illegal constructions by either sealing them or earmarking them for demolition.
Under LDA’s scanner are several influential people who supposedly enjoyed considerable clout during the Samajwadi Party regime and own multi-storey apartments, commercial complexes or houses which have been constructed in violation of norms. The development authority has identified 20 illegal constructions which are to be demolished. The demolition work is likely to start from next month. Apart from these 20 constructions, the LDA is in the process of identifying illegal constructions of those enjoying high position.
First to face the LDA’s action after change of government in the state was Sharda Pratap Shukla, former minister in the Samajwadi Party government. The development authority not only sealed Shukla’s alleged illegal construction in Bangla Bazar but also got the land vacated from possession of the minister.
The LDA’s next target was Gayatri Prajapati, controversial minister in the Samajwadi Party government. The development authority has issued a notice for demolishing his alleged illegal construction in Bangla Bazar.
Faisal Nawab, SP corporator and LDA board member, who is also son of SP MLC Bukkal Nawab, is the latest one to face LDA’s action. The SP corporator’s multi-storey apartment in Hussainabad, in the heritage zone, has also been sealed. The four-storey apartment has come up on a government land, it is alleged. “A list of such people is being prepared who had exercised undue influence in the last few years and got constructed illegal buildings. Their names will be revealed when the list is finalized. All illegal constructions will be sealed or demolished,” said an LDA official. Recently, the LDA had also revoked its earlier decision of permitting change of land use from residential to commercial to 58 influential people of the city.
It is alleged that former LDA VC Satyendra Singh had permitted change in land use from residential to commercial to these people. However, after change of government in the state, the LDA took a u-turn and revoked its own order.