z Lucknow Development Authority approves proposal The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to notify the various memorials and parks developed on the name of Dalit icons and leaders in the city as heritage zones. The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) board approved a proposal to this effect on Wednesday. The Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal and other structures developed around it in Gomti Nagar,Kanshiram Memorial,Kanshiram Green Eco Garden,Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan and Baudh Vihar Shanti Upwan are the main memorials and parks that have been identified for notification as heritage zones in the master plan. Vice-chairman of LDA Rajeev Agarwal refused to comment on the possible restrictions that will be imposed around these memorials after notification as heritage zones. He also refused to reveal the yardsticks on which these memorials were being declared as heritage zones. The government has constituted a core committee to recommend the restrictions and guidelines that will be applicable around these memorials after their notification as heritage zones. The support of the Archaeologial Survey of India will be taken to frame these guidelines, Agarwal said. Publicity of these memorials as heritage zones will also enhance tourism in Lucknow,he said. The LDA board also approved acquisition of about 50,000 square metres land in Jiamau for the development of a parking lot and community services. That land is opposite Ambedkar Gomti Park and between the sewage pumping station of Haider Canal and Lohia Path. The board also gave the go-ahead to a proposal allowing commercial activities in residential buildings. Permission would be given,although with certain conditions,in colonies that were regularised and developed in a planned manner. The governments approval would also be taken on this proposal. Commercial activities would be allowed in properties located on a 18-metre road but they should not create pollution in the area. The LDA board also decided to change the land use of 10,633 square metres of land in Gomti Nagar from green belt and open space to community services (institutional) to facilitate the development of the Jaiprakash Narain International Centre (JPNIC). The Mulayam Singh Yadav government had reserved a three-acre plot opposite the Regional Passport Office in Gomti Nagar for the centre in 2006. The building was to house two auditoriums,a library and an art gallery at a cost of Rs 17 crore. But with the change of guard in 2007,the project came to a halt following an objection over the use of a piece of green land. We are going to revive the project and now a digital library would be developed in this centre, said the vice-chairman. To boost land bank,the LDA has decided to purchase 115 acres of land from the Lucknow Industrial Development Authority (LIDA) on the Lucknow-Kanpur road. LIDA had already acquired that land and LDA will develop housing as well industrial projects on it. The board also decided to demolish about 120 houses that were constructed for the poor in Devpur Para locality in 2001. These houses are in a deteriorated condition and near the housing blocks of Kanshram Sahri Garib Awas Yojna. These houses would be demolished and new houses with better civic amenities would be developed there, Agarwal said.
