5-star plans on reclaimed Gomti land run aground

In a meeting on August 13,the LDA Board had approved a proposal to change the use of the land from “green and open” to “commercial”. It was said that the land could be used for building a five-star hotel and the name of a renowned private developer was in circulation.

Now,the Board will reconsider its decision at a meeting on December 31. “The land use will not be changed,it will remain green and open,” said LDA Vice-Chairman Mukesh Kumar Meshram.

A park with walking tracks and landscaping would come up on the land. After the construction,there would be a long stretch of green area from the barrage to the La Martiniere College ground,Meshram said. The design and cost of the project would be finalised soon,he added. Asked why the LDA had changed its mind,the vice-chairman was evasive.

Earlier,after receiving the approval of its Board,the LDA had sent the proposal for change of land use to the state government which,in turn,had invited objections.

In the meantime,a local lawyer,Pankaj Srivastava,filed a PIL in the Allahabad High Court challenging the proposed change of the land use. The court had granted a stay on the change of land use and the next hearing will be held in January,said chief standing counsel D K Upadhyay.

The Hyder Canal that discharges sewage of cis-Gomti area in the river passes through this land. Officials said that the canal would be levelled after the pumping station — which will carry the sewage to the treatment plant and is being constructed near Lohia Path — comes up in February or March.