The Times of India 06.01.2010
LDA approval for township a tall order?
LUCKNOW: It might have constructed the world's tallest building in Dubai but all is not well for EMAAR-MGF in the state capital. The builder's two ambitious projects in the city — an integrated township and a Mall — are in a limbo.
To begin with, the proposed integrated township on Sultanpur Road finds itself on a sticky wicket with the state government apparently in no mood to renew the licence of the builder. The licence was cancelled by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) in June, 2008, on the grounds that the builder violated terms and conditions pertaining to development of the township.
Deputy general manager, Emaar, Ashu Bajpai, while speaking to TOI on Tuesday confirmed that no development activity is being done on the project. He refused to comment further.
While LDA vice-chairman, Mukesh Meshram could not be contacted despite repeated attempts, sources said that the builder's case is being scrutinised. Chief engineer, LDA, S N Tripathi said that the case is "under review". "We cannot say anything as of now," he said.
Sources said that the builder has already acquired some 100 acre of land near Shaheed Path to develop the township. This is 25% of the total 400 acre of land needed for the project. Sources said that the builder had also entered into an agreement with the housing department for help to acquire the rest 300 acre of land.
The other project of the builder which finds itself on a slippery turf is a Mall proposed over some 25 acre of land in Paper Mill Colony. The LDA had though sanctioned the map of the builder for the proposed project but is yet to release it.
But it's the legal dispute over the ownership of land which might affect the project. The land over which the Mall is proposed happens to be a joint lease of Upper India Cooper Mills. The land was partly bought by Emaar and partly by another builder, Arif Constructions. While Arif went ahead with its housing project, the builder applied for freehold, which LDA did not grant. The builder moved the high court, which ruled in favour of the builder. In a counter-move, LDA moved the supreme court and ever since the decision is pending.
Managing director, Arif Constructions, Shavez Arif refused to say anything claiming that the decision is pending in the supreme court. Sources, however, said that Emmar too is waiting for the supreme court's decision before it makes any decision on the ambitious project.
To begin with, the proposed integrated township on Sultanpur Road finds itself on a sticky wicket with the state government apparently in no mood to renew the licence of the builder. The licence was cancelled by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) in June, 2008, on the grounds that the builder violated terms and conditions pertaining to development of the township.
Deputy general manager, Emaar, Ashu Bajpai, while speaking to TOI on Tuesday confirmed that no development activity is being done on the project. He refused to comment further.
While LDA vice-chairman, Mukesh Meshram could not be contacted despite repeated attempts, sources said that the builder's case is being scrutinised. Chief engineer, LDA, S N Tripathi said that the case is "under review". "We cannot say anything as of now," he said.
Sources said that the builder has already acquired some 100 acre of land near Shaheed Path to develop the township. This is 25% of the total 400 acre of land needed for the project. Sources said that the builder had also entered into an agreement with the housing department for help to acquire the rest 300 acre of land.
The other project of the builder which finds itself on a slippery turf is a Mall proposed over some 25 acre of land in Paper Mill Colony. The LDA had though sanctioned the map of the builder for the proposed project but is yet to release it.
But it's the legal dispute over the ownership of land which might affect the project. The land over which the Mall is proposed happens to be a joint lease of Upper India Cooper Mills. The land was partly bought by Emaar and partly by another builder, Arif Constructions. While Arif went ahead with its housing project, the builder applied for freehold, which LDA did not grant. The builder moved the high court, which ruled in favour of the builder. In a counter-move, LDA moved the supreme court and ever since the decision is pending.
Managing director, Arif Constructions, Shavez Arif refused to say anything claiming that the decision is pending in the supreme court. Sources, however, said that Emmar too is waiting for the supreme court's decision before it makes any decision on the ambitious project.
