LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) carried out a demolition operation on Monday, reducing to rubble 78 houses in the Akbarnagar slums. The operation aimed to pave the way for the ambitious Kukrail riverfront development project.
The use of three bulldozers and a Poclain machine left residents in emotional distress, witnessing their homes being razed to the ground.
LDA officials, in collaboration with district administration and municipal corporation officers, initiated the operation after conducting a survey on Sunday.
The survey identified approximately 277 houses and shops built illegally on the banks of the Kukrail river. These owners failed to file petitions or applications against the demolition in court.
The 78 owners were among the 277 owners who did not seek stay from the High Court against the demolition. Of them, 40 had opted for houses in the Vasant Kunj scheme under the PM Awas Yojana, while others expressed inability to pay instalments, so they did not choose it.
The action commenced around 11am, following a flag march and announcements made on speakers installed the night before in the narrow lanes of Akbarnagar. Entrance lanes were barricaded to manage crowds and all residents were evacuated from their homes.
Women and children were visibly distraught, with tears in their eyes as they witnessed their homes being razed in front of them. Earlier, the first slum was manually razed, allowing bulldozers to enter from the eastern side of the colony. The operation continued until 5pm, with residents seen gathering their belongings and loading them into trucks arranged by them and the municipal corporation.
LDA vice-chairman Indramani Tripathi, who was present at the site, said that they were performing the operation with sensitivity.
Tripathi added, “We are providing them homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and residents of the cleared slums are being relocated to houses constructed under the Vasant Kunj Yojana, with a current accommodation cost of Rs 5,000. Despite the relocation plan, the abrupt displacement has triggered anguish among the affected residents.”
Lucknow municipal commissioner Inderjit Singh said, “We are providing all necessary help in shifting the displaced. The operation will continue in the coming days.”
