LDA issues fresh notice for cracked Lucknow building, old file missing

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) on Wednesday, 30 September issued a fresh notice to the owner of SA Apartment in Wazirganj, where a pillar cracked on 28 September, forcing the evacuation of 25 families. The notice asks owner Shahabuddin to explain the alleged violations, failing which further action will be taken. The notice will be pasted on the building by Thursday, 1 October, Hindustan Times reports.

The LDA is struggling to trace the file containing details of the building and the officials who dealt with the case in 2020, when the authority issued a notice over unauthorised construction on the sixth floor but did not seal the property. The sanctioned plan in 2009 allowed a basement plus three floors, but the building was expanded to six storeys. LDA vice-chairman Prathmesh Kumar said the illegal sections will be demolished first, with a final decision on the entire structure taken with the district administration.

A structural audit has been completed and the building cannot survive long, Kumar said. LDA officials used jacks and a brick pillar to stabilise the structure temporarily, allowing families to retrieve belongings. Separately, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) ordered inspection of 214 dangerous buildings after recent rain caused wall collapses.

Update, 30 September 2026: Hindustan Times reports that the LDA on 30 September issued a fresh notice to the owner, while struggling to trace the old file from 2020. The notice will be pasted on the building by 1 October. The structural audit has been completed, and LDA vice-chairman Prathmesh Kumar said the building cannot survive long. No directions for a mass inspection of similar violations have been issued.