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Supreme Court-appointed panel inspects illegal constructions, plotting in Lucknow
The survey included Aliganj, Saraswan and Wellness City, with the team set to submit its findings to the Supreme Court.
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A six-member team appointed by the Supreme Court as amicus curiae, along with an IIT-Delhi professor, on Saturday conducted a ground survey of illegal constructions and unauthorised plotting in Lucknow, including commercial buildings operating on residential land in Aliganj.
The inspection puts the Lucknow Development Authority’s (LDA) enforcement action under direct scrutiny, as the Supreme Court has sought verification of steps taken against illegal construction in the city.
Also read: Delhi Police says ‘no power’ to stop illegal construction, call rests with civic bodies
Aliganj fire site comes under review
The team first visited Aliganj’s Sector-D, where an illegal commercial building constructed on a residential plot was gutted in a fire on June 22, killing 15 people and injuring nine. The team inspected the site and verified the demolition and sealing action taken by the LDA against buildings that violated prescribed land-use norms.
The LDA had informed the Supreme Court that it had identified 51 commercial buildings in Aliganj constructed on residential land in violation of norms and had initiated action against them. However, action had been taken against only around 27 of the 51 properties.
Also read: 'Passage of time can't cure illegality': SC orders demolition of illegal Meerut structures
Survey expands to other LDA zones
The team subsequently inspected sites in Saraswan, behind the police headquarters in Gomti Nagar Extension, where the LDA had demolished illegal constructions. It also visited Wellness City to assess action taken against illegal constructions and unauthorised plotting.
LDA additional secretaries CP Tripathi and Gyanendra Verma, along with officials from the concerned zones, accompanied the team during the inspection.
Also read: Irrigation department flags LDA’s Lucknow Haat construction near Gomti riverbank
SC seeks ground-level assessment
The Supreme Court ordered the survey while hearing the Loknathan versus State of Tamil Nadu case concerning illegal constructions. The court had taken a strict view of violations in Lucknow, particularly after the Aliganj fire, and directed the amicus curiae to conduct a ground-level assessment.
The team will now prepare its findings and submit its survey report to the Supreme Court. The exercise could lead to closer judicial scrutiny of illegal construction, land-use violations and unauthorised plotting in Lucknow.
