Lucknow Fire: Building Withdrawn from Demolition in 2016 Now Site of 15 Deaths

In a tragic turn of events, the building in Lucknow's Aliganj area where a fire claimed 15 lives on Monday had previously faced demolition proceedings for alleged unauthorized construction, according to records from the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). The demolition order, issued in 2016, was withdrawn less than two months later.

The property, designated MS/102/D in Sector D of the Aliganj Scheme, was originally allotted to Vijay Kumar through an LDA hire-purchase scheme in 1980. After the agreement was executed in November 1980, possession was transferred to the allottee. The property was later registered jointly under Vijay Kumar and his wife Usha in 2005.

On January 19, 2013, the couple sold the property to Virendra Pratap Shukla and Surendra Pratap Shukla. The LDA completed the mutation process in their favor on August 7, 2014. It was during subsequent inspections that the LDA identified alleged unauthorized construction, prompting the demolition order in 2016.

However, after representations from the owners, the LDA withdrew the order, citing that the violations were not severe enough to warrant demolition. The building continued to operate, housing multiple businesses and residences, until the fire broke out on Monday.

The fire, which started late Monday evening, quickly engulfed the structure. Rescue operations were hampered by narrow lanes and illegal encroachments. Firefighters managed to control the blaze by Tuesday morning, but the death toll has risen to 15, with several others injured.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. Authorities are also probing whether the building's layout, including possible unauthorized modifications, contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of the LDA's oversight and the efficacy of its enforcement actions against illegal constructions.

Local residents have expressed grief and anger. 'We repeatedly flagged the building's condition, but nothing was done,' said a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous. The state government has announced compensation for the victims' families and ordered a high-level inquiry.

This tragedy underscores persistent urban safety challenges in Indian cities, where building regulations are often flouted and enforcement is lax. The withdrawal of the demolition order in 2016 is now under intense focus, as it allowed the building to continue functioning despite initial concerns about its legality.