LUCKNOW: Following a tragic fire in the Aliganj area that took the lives of 15 people earlier this week, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has intensified its enforcement actions. On Friday, the LDA issued show-cause notices to over a dozen commercial establishments reportedly operating outside the boundaries of their sanctioned building plans.
An LDA representative noted that the latest operations targeted various types of businesses including gymnasiums, coaching centers, restaurants, hotels, and nursing homes. These establishments were requested to justify why they should not face penalties for alleged construction violations.
These establishments have been given a short window to respond and provide their approved building plans. Failure to comply will result in further action, as stated by the official.
On Friday, nine establishments located in older city areas, such as Chowk, Thakurganj, Balaganj, and Hussainabad, received notices. This included a mix of coaching centers, nursing homes, hotels, and restaurants.
In Zone 4, which covers Aliganj and surrounding neighborhoods, notices were issued to five commercial entities.
The official mentioned that the activity was less vigorous on Friday compared to the previous day due to heightened security measures for Muharram and other administrative obligations, particularly in the older sections of the city. The inspection and enforcement activities are expected to pick up momentum in the forthcoming days.
On Thursday, the LDA had sent notices to 78 establishments throughout the city and initiated closure proceedings against 55 sites allegedly misused for commercial purposes. Coaching centers, eateries, and various other commercial entities were among those targeted.
These notices primarily require owners to explain deviations from approved building plans. Those unable to submit their sanctioned blueprints have been instructed to do so promptly or face legal repercussions.
The crackdown was prompted by a catastrophic fire in a three-story commercial building with a basement on Usha Mehta Marg in Aliganj’s Sector D earlier this week. This incident was among the most severe in Lucknow in recent years, resulting in 15 fatalities and leaving nine individuals severely injured.
In response to the tragedy, the LDA has initiated an independent investigation, led by Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar, who indicated that inquiries revealed potential involvement of 19 engineers and six senior PCS officers in connection with the building’s violations, with formal recommendations for action sent to the Uttar Pradesh government.
In addition, Lucknow Police is conducting its own investigation into the fire, while the Uttar Pradesh government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the incident.
