At a recent LDA board meeting chaired by Lucknow Commissioner Roshan Jacob, it was decided that all buildings in Lucknow with a height of 15 metres or more would be subject to safety audits. This measure will apply to structures that are more than five years old, with audits to be conducted every five years. The meeting was attended by LDA Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar and other officials.

The decision follows the recent collapse of a three-storey building in Transport Nagar, which resulted in eight fatalities. The building owner has been accused of using substandard construction materials. LDA Secretary Vivek Srivastava stated that the cost of the safety audit will be the responsibility of the building owners. For residential buildings, the expense will be borne by the Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs). If an owner does not pay for the audit, the LDA will initially cover the cost but will subsequently seek reimbursement from either the builder or the RWA. A private company will be responsible for conducting the audits, which are expected to be completed by October. The city has over 5,000 buildings that are 15 metres or taller, but many older, taller commercial buildings in areas such as Hazratganj and Aminabad will be excluded from the audit because their height is below 15 metres.

In terms of high-rise building development, the LDA has approved the construction of high-rise structures within a 500-metre radius of Shaheed Path, Kisan Path, and the Green Corridor. These areas have been designated as Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zones. The Floor Area Ratio (FAR) will be increased from 2.5 to 4.0 in developed areas and to 5.0 in undeveloped areas. Developers will be required to pay for the additional FAR, which will provide revenue for the LDA and support planned growth. The LDA will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a consultant to prepare the zonal development plan in accordance with the Lucknow Master Plan-2031.

It was reported that a proposal for transferring land leased by the Lucknow Improvement Trust had been approved. Leaseholders would have the opportunity to renew their leases twice, each for a 30-year term, with a 50% increase in the annual rent after each 30-year period. Upon the expiration of the current lease, a proposal would be put forward to enable the transfer of property rights. In addition, it was stated that fourteen families who were illegally occupying land on Rani Lakshmi Bai Marg in Cantonment would be relocated to Basant Kunj and Sharda Nagar Extension as part of a government relocation scheme.

It was also reported that preparations were underway to transfer the management of the Ambedkar Auditorium at RML Law University to a private company. The LDA intended to charge approximately INR 40 lakh per year for this service, although the final rate would be determined by the university's vice-chancellor. The auditorium includes a large hall with 2,650 seats, three smaller halls each with 350 seats, and a canteen. After privatisation, the cost of booking the large hall was anticipated to be around INR 4.8 lakh.

It was announced that two new sub-centres would be established in Gomtinagar, benefiting over two lakh residents. The LDA was set to provide land free of charge to Lesa for the construction of these sub-centres in Vinram Khand and Vishesh Khand. Additionally, it was reported that a new system would be introduced to streamline the building approval process. Under this system, security deposits for solar energy systems, rainwater harvesting, and tree planting could be submitted alongside other fees. This change was intended to reduce delays and enhance the efficiency of the approval process.

It was stated that the LDA had decided not to acquire approximately 296 acres of land from seven builders for the Wellness City project. The Authority had originally planned to acquire this land from builders who had purchased it from farmers for township development, offering compensation either in the form of land or monetary payment. Builders' dissatisfaction with this decision was conveyed to government officials, which subsequently led to the transfer of former LDA Vice Chairman Indramani Tripathi.

In conclusion, the recent decisions by the LDA mark a significant shift in urban management and planning for Lucknow. The mandatory safety audits for taller buildings underscore a heightened focus on structural integrity and public safety, responding to recent incidents of building collapses. The approval for high-rise developments and increased FAR reflects a commitment to accommodating the city's growth while fostering efficient land use. Additionally, the transfer of the Ambedkar Auditorium's management and the establishment of new sub-centres indicate a move towards improving public facilities and services. These measures collectively aim to enhance the city's infrastructure, safety, and overall urban development.