• Source:JND
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Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) announced on Wednesday the completion of demolition work on illegal buildings located on the riverbed of the Kukrail River in Akbarnagar. The extensive operation saw the destruction of around 1,169 illegal residential properties and over 100 commercial properties using heavy machinery such as bulldozers, officials said.

The demolition drive, aimed at vacating illegal encroachments from a 24.5-acre area, commenced in December of the previous year. In total, over 1,320 illegal structures, including religious structures of different communities, have been demolished in the region. LDA officials reported that about 100 buildings were demolished on Tuesday, and the next phase will focus on clearing the debris.

To mitigate the impact on displaced families, some of them who lost their homes in Akbarnagar have been provided alternative accommodation under the PM Awas Yojana in different parts of the city. 

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The Uttar Pradesh government has plans to develop an eco-tourism hub in the cleared area. Last year, the LDA informed the Allahabad High Court of the necessity to maintain the Kukrail water channel clean, citing illegal constructions on the riverbed and banks. The court was told that slum dwellers had illegally occupied the riverbanks, discharging waste into the Kukrail water channel, which ultimately flows into the river Gomti.

As a result, about 1,158 structures erected by the petitioners were deemed necessary to remove. A rehabilitation policy was established by the LDA to provide suitable flats for below-poverty-line (BPL) individuals, contingent on proof of their BPL status.

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On March 6, the Allahabad High Court allowed residents of Akbarnagar until March 31 to vacate the disputed premises, after which the LDA was authorised to clear the area. The Supreme Court upheld this decision on May 10, ensuring that no slum dweller would be evicted without alternative accommodation.

On June 14, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed officials to remove encroachments from the banks of rivers and ponds across the state, highlighting similar issues in districts such as Moradabad, Kashi and Saharanpur. He emphasised ongoing efforts to revive the Kukrail river in Lucknow and stressed the need to prevent future settlements in river basins.