LDA to identify illegal constructions

LUCKNOW: Illegal multi-storey buildings coming up all over the city in violation of map approved by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) or without approval of any map at all are not only defacing the city but also causing civic problems, including traffic jams.

Now, the development authority has started identifying such illegal under-construction buildings which are found everywhere, be it posh areas of Gomti Nagar, Indira Nagar, Aliganj and Alambagh or Old City areas like Chowk .

A visit to Aminabad, Naka Hindola, Hazratganj, Hussainganj, Aliganj and Alambagh reveals the harrowing picture of rampant illegal constructions going on unabated in the city. Encroachments also abound in these areas.

The modus operandi of builders is to get a residential map approved for a three or four storey apartment in a colony. Thereafter, in connivance with LDA officials, the builder gets the apartment building constructed up to five storeys.

Every flat in the apartment block is sold to individual buyers, changing its nature from residential to commercial.

It takes almost a year for a five-storey apartment to come up. During this phase, the zonal officer of the LDA is fully aware of the illegal construction activity but turns a blind eye to it.

“After getting complaints about illegal constructions, the LDA vice chairman has decided to get a list prepared of all areas where illegal buildings are coming up,” said a senior LDA official.

In the past too , the development authority had identified several illegal under-construction buildings. But nothing changed .

In the last financial year, the development authority had identified 340 illegal constructions in cis- Gomti area. Out of these , 328 constructions were identified for demolition and compounding fee was levied against 11 .

In the same period, in transGomti area, the development authority had identified 383 illegal constructions.

Out of these, 71 were sealed, 12 demolished and compounding fee of Rs 7,02,00,000 was realized.