Illegal Construction On Lucknow's Outer Ring Road Threatens Planned Development

Despite clear prohibitions and repeated government directives, rampant and unplanned construction is flourishing along Lucknow's 105-kilometre Outer Ring Road. This unchecked development poses a direct threat to the ambitious vision for the State Capital Region (SCR), which aims to build world-class infrastructure in the area.

Widespread Violations On the Ground

A site investigation by Dainik Jagran on Tuesday, from Mohanlalganj to Bakshi Ka Talab, revealed the scale of the issue. In the Kalli Paschim area of Mohanlalganj tehsil, a Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) board near Bhagu Khera explicitly forbids any construction within a 500-metre radius. Ironically, a boundary wall has been erected directly behind this official warning sign, just 50 metres from the Outer Ring Road.

This is not an isolated incident. The entire stretch is dotted with signboards of real estate companies and property dealers. Agricultural fields are rapidly being converted into plotted colonies, with many already featuring constructed buildings or boundary walls.

Enforcement Lacking Amidst Jurisdictional Disputes

While the government has consistently issued instructions to the administration to curb this unplanned development, there has been no discernible impact on the ground. The LDA has officially banned construction, but enforcement efforts appear to be non-existent.

The situation is further complicated by a boundary dispute between the LDA and the Zila Panchayat (District Council), as several villages along the Outer Ring Road fall under the latter's jurisdiction. This overlap in authority has created a vacuum in enforcement, allowing illegal activities to continue unabated.

Threat To State Capital Region (SCR) Vision

The most significant consequence of this encroachment is the risk it poses to the SCR. The SCR is a massive project designed for the planned development of approximately 26,000 square kilometres across six districts, including Lucknow. The vision includes creating high-speed interconnectivity between cities and establishing dedicated industrial areas.

However, the continuous establishment of unplanned colonies through illegal plotting presents a major challenge for acquiring land for these critical future projects.

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Industry Leaders Voice Concern

The business community has also raised alarms over the issue. Vikas Khanna, president of the Lucknow chapter of the Indian Industry Association, confirmed that they have shared their concerns with the administration.

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"The government should reserve land around the ring road for industry so that there are no problems in the future," Khanna stated. "But the way construction is happening, it seems that in a few years, there will be no land left here."