Demolition drive causes panic; residents demand better compensation and clarity
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW – Fear and panic gripped the residents of areas adjacent to the Kukrel Canal in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh following a series of demolition actions. Akbar Nagar homes were the first to face the bulldozers, and now officials from the irrigation department are surveying and marking properties in Rahim Nagar, Pant Nagar, Abrar Nagar, and Khuram Nagar with red flags. This has instilled a sense of panic among the residents who fear their homes are being trageted for bulldozer action.
The move is reportedly part of a larger plan to develop the Kukrel Canal on the model of Gujarat’s Sabarmati River, aiming to rejuvenate the area. However, this has raised significant concerns among local residents. Many fear the rapid progression of demolitions, questioning the legality and ethics of such operations.
Anjali, a resident of Akbar Nagar, expressed her distress: “We have all the necessary documents to legally build our house, including house tax receipts, water bills, registry papers, and more. If the government demolishes our houses despite these documents, it will be an act of cruelty. If the houses around Kukrel Nala are deemed illegal, then by that logic, the entire Lucknow could be considered illegal.”
Anjali further noted that approximately 1,200 to 1,800 houses have been marked for demolition, and officials are unwilling to provide further information or listen to residents’ concerns.
Soni, a resident of Pant Nagar, shared the emotional toll on the community: “People here are very sad. Some are suffering from heart disease, many women are pregnant, and children are not going to school. The anxiety and fear have left people in shock. The government should not demolish our houses without providing adequate compensation so that we can rebuild our lives elsewhere.”
The fear has intensified following demolitions in Akbar Nagar, as residents in the newly marked areas anticipate similar actions. The Development Authority and Lucknow Municipal Corporation are expected to issue notices soon, requiring residents to submit documents to prove the legality of their homes. Failure to comply will result in demolition actions.
Residents had previously appealed to the Supreme Court after approaching the high court but found no relief. The Supreme Court ruled that homes should be demolished and alternative housing provided. Consequently, the Lucknow Development Authority offered flats in Basant Kunj, Dubga area under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. However, this has not satisfied the displaced residents.
“The flats offered are not adequate compensation for our homes,” lamented Anjali. “We have been living in these homes for years, and moving to a new place, especially under these stressful conditions, is not a viable solution.”
