LUCKNOW: The city is on track to significantly expand its housing infrastructure as the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has approved land acquisition and layout plans for seven residential projects during its recent 186th board meeting, led by divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant.
These developments will occur near Gomtinagar Extension over approximately 385 acres and will be managed by private developers under the Uttar Pradesh Township Policy 2023.
A significant tract of land, situated alongside the Gomti River, behind the Police Headquarters, was recently cleared of illegal occupation. LDA vice-chairperson Prathamesh Kumar noted that the authority reclaimed 43.051 acres in Sarsawan, Sector 7 of Gomtinagar Extension. This land had been vacant for years and previously encroached upon. A land audit facilitated this recovery, leading to the preparation of a layout compliant with the Building Construction and Development By-Laws 2025. The layout design includes 11 plots for group housing, one commercial plot, and provisions for green spaces covering 15% of the area.
The board also decided to maintain the current pricing for LDA-built flats for another year. Unoccupied units in Kanpur Road, Shardanagar, Sitapur Road, Devpur Para, and Aishbagh Heights will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at existing prices until December 2026. Secretary Vivek Srivastava emphasized that this decision aims to assist buyers hesitant due to escalating market prices.
Support for military personnel and their families was another focal point of the meeting. Acting on the chief minister’s guidance, the LDA authorized a tiered discount on flat prices for those holding gallantry awards. Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra will receive a 7.5% discount, while Mahavir Chakra and Kirti Chakra awardees will get 5%, and those with the Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra will receive a 2.5% discount. This benefit is applicable to one property per eligible buyer. Furthermore, buyers who pay in full within 45 to 90 days can enjoy an additional discount ranging from 3% to 6%.
The board also approved the establishment of over 1,100 EWS (Economically Weaker Section) houses in Shardanagar. Following prior allotments under the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Housing Scheme, the chief minister had directed the authority to enhance housing options for low-income families. To facilitate these units, the LDA revised the Shardanagar layout. Of the land released through this amendment, 3.6 hectares will be allocated to the Jalkal Department for a sewage treatment plant, while the remaining land will be designated for EWS housing.
Additionally, the meeting addressed long-standing issues raised by vendors at Sahara Market in Vibhuti Khand. After the LDA annulled the Sahara Group’s lease due to violations, the agency secured the complex. Kumar stated that the LDA aims to protect buyers misled by the developer. Following the relocation policy, 12 shopkeepers will now receive space on the first floor of the LDA commercial complex in Vinay Khand, Gomtinagar.
The LDA board also greenlit layout proposals for IT City, Wellness City, Naimish Nagar, and Varun Vihar, as part of the chief minister’s Urban Expansion Plan. All four projects are set to be launched in 2026, with plot allocations conducted via a lottery system.
