The Lucknow Development Authority(LDA) has decided against approving building plans for residences on 7.5-meter-wide roads in 241 unauthorized colonies, even if mapping regulations are relaxed.
This decision, made during the recent LDA board meeting, is part of the implementation of the Master Plan 2021. According to the new regulation, approval will only be granted if a 7.5-meter road is at least 200 meters long and constructed with government funding. Roads of the same width that are developed by private builders in unapproved colonies will not be eligible.
This restriction applies to colonies categorized as “bad colonies” in the master plan for the Avadh region. The clarification was issued following inquiries from residents regarding map approvals for various illegal colonies identified in the master plan survey at the LDA office. LDA officials stated that these colonies were recognized in the 2021 Master Plan as having been developed without adhering to LDA standards.
Many of these colonies were first highlighted 24 years ago and still lack essential amenities such as adequate roads, drainage systems, parks, and community spaces. Although the actual number of such colonies has increased, the official count will remain fixed at 241 for policy considerations. The LDA has been striving for years to regularize illegal colonies; however, stringent requirements regarding road width, drainage, and open space have prevented many from meeting the criteria.
Even proposals to ease mapping regulations will not assist these areas. An LDA official remarked, “This initiative aims to avert unplanned development. Approving maps in colonies lacking fundamental infrastructure would only promote unplanned urbanization in the city, which would adversely impact residents in the future.”
