LDA seals housing scheme it had approved ‘twice’

LDA officials said the land on which the apartments are being constructed had been acquired by LDA,Irrigation Department and PWD in parts. The land is close to New Ambedkar Park which is being developed by the government near the Gomti barrage at a cost of Rs 300 crore

“The builder had produced forged documents of ownership while applying for approval of the building map,” said Sanjeev Sinha,Additional Secretary of LDA.

The Halwasiya Group had purchased the land from one Mazhar Ali Khan in 2005. “All the documents produced by us were genuine and there was no irregularity. We had produced even the no-objection certificates of various departments,including Irrigation and PWD,” said Shanker Halwasiya,the owner of the apartments.

“Earlier,Khan had planned these apartments and he had taken approval of the building map from LDA in 2005. Later,we bought the land and got a revised building map approved from the LDA in 2008,” said Halwasiya.

He said,“We are exploring legal aspects as we are left with no other option. There are 32 flats in the apartments and eight of these have been sold.”

Asked about the flat owners’ concerns,the LDA additional secretary said,“It is the responsibility of builder.”

The construction of the apartments had been going on for about two years.