Despite repeated instructions to strictly control unplanned colonies, illegal land plotting continues unabated in rural areas around Lucknow. In Mohanlalganj, a real estate company has developed plots on over 150 bighas of land, even though it had approval for only 17 bighas.
Lucknow currently has over 100 property dealers and real estate companies who have been issued notices for developing plots without an approved layout plan, but little action has been taken so far. Just two days ago, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised the need to prevent unplanned colonies in cities, stating that controlling unplanned development is crucial for organised urban settlement.
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In Lucknow, layout plans for buildings and colonies are approved either by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) or the Zila Panchayat office. Following the LDA’s expansion, 197 villages now fall under its jurisdiction, while the Zila Panchayat can approve layout plans in 477 villages.
According to sources, the real estate company in Gosainganj exploited the approved plan of 17 bighas to develop plots across 150 bighas, showing the smaller approved plan to buyers to facilitate sales. Similar illegal plotting has been reported in other tehsils, including Sarojininagar, Malihabad, and Bakshi Ka Talab, where land is being developed far beyond the approved area.
Two years ago, a survey by the Zila Panchayat revealed that many property dealers were defrauding buyers by illegally selling land. According to regulations, layout plans approved by the Zila Panchayat must include a main road 12 metres wide, internal roads nine metres wide, a boundary wall enclosing the plotted area, at least 40 per cent open space for amenities such as roads, drains, and green areas, electricity poles, and a proper sewer system.
However, property dealers are bypassing these rules, promoting unplanned development for profit. The Additional Chief Officer of the Zila Panchayat office, Pranav Pandey, stated that action will be taken against those illegally developing plots without approval, and ongoing cases of notice issuance will also be investigated.