Lucknow Building Partial Demolition Begins After Deadly June Fire, 15 Killed
Nearly a month after a devastating fire ripped through a two-storey building in Lucknow's Aliganj locality, claiming 15 lives, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) began demolishing portions of the structure on Saturday for violating the approved building plan.
The LDA had issued a notice to the building owner, asking him to remove the unauthorised construction within 15 days. After the deadline expired, the authority decided to act. A team of LDA officials, along with district administration personnel and police, reached the site in the morning and started razing the sections identified as being built in violation of the sanctioned plan. An LDA officer said the demolition may take two to three days to complete.
The fire that broke out on June 14 in the building, which housed a firecracker godown on the ground floor, had triggered a massive blaze that engulfed the upper floors, causing multiple casualties. The incident had raised serious questions about fire safety and illegal construction in the city. Following the tragedy, the LDA had inspected the building and found several deviations from the approved plan, including additional floors and altered layouts that obstructed emergency exits.
Local residents have welcomed the LDA's action, but some expressed concern that similar violations exist in many other buildings in the area. “We hope this sends a strong message to builders and owners who flout rules,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous.
The building owner, who was not present during the demolition, had earlier argued that the construction was legal. However, the LDA maintained that the deviations were clear and the deadline to comply had been ignored. The case has also been referred to the police for criminal investigation.
The demolition is part of a broader crackdown by the LDA on illegal constructions across the city. Officials said that in the wake of the fire, they have identified at least 20 other buildings with similar violations and have issued notices to their owners.
The state government has also ordered an inquiry into the fire incident and promised stricter enforcement of building bye-laws. The families of the victims have been compensated by the government, but many are still waiting for justice.
