‘Mafia land will become homes for poor’: UP CM as he hands over flats built on Mukhtar Ansari’s seized property
In a ceremony at the housing complex in Lucknow's Dalibagh, the CM said this event was not just about distributing houses but to send a message that the land grabbed by the mafia will now become homes for the poor.
Handing over allotment letters of flats to 72 Economically Weaker Section (EWS) families in the plush Dalibagh locality of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Wednesday sent out a stern message to the mafia, saying anyone who illegally occupies public land or poor people’s land, and tries to intimidate society, will face dire consequences.
The flats were developed on land recovered from late mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari and his family. The government had demolished buildings owned by Ansari’s family in 2020, alleging they had illegally grabbed the land.
Speaking after inaugurating the flats at the housing complex built under the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Awas Yojana, the CM said this event was not just about distributing houses but to send a message that the land grabbed by the mafia will now become homes for the poor.
He claimed the mafia once insulted the Constitution, mocked the law, and even officials used to bow before them. “Earlier governments too surrendered before these mafias. From east to west, north to south — mafias ruled every region. But today, the situation has completely changed,” he added.
The CM said the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has provided flats at Rs 10.70 lakh each in this prime location, while their market value is nearly Rs 1 crore.
The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) constructed the 72 flats — each built in 36.65 sqm — divided in three blocks
According to the government, 8,000 applications were received for the flats and 5,700 were found eligible. After the due procedure, 72 have been allotted flats in the first phase.
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Three allottees — Sonu Kumar Kanojia, Tara Devi and Suman Gupta — thanked the government. They stated they had been living in rented accommodations in Lucknow for years, struggling to build their own homes, but now they finally have one.
LDA Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar said the project is located on a 20-metre-wide Bandha Road and is just 5-10 minutes from Hazratganj market.
The Chief Minister said, “This is just the beginning. The campaign will soon expand across the state to ensure every poor person gets a respectable home.”
He also criticised the Opposition and said, “Those who once made the mafia their disciples and exploited the poor now offer prayers at their graves.”
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Referring to demolition of houses and shops at the Akbar Nagar slum in Mahanagar area of the capital, the chief minister said illegal mafia malls were removed from the Kukrail-Gomti banks to create Saumitra Van, and encroachers including Rohingya were evicted.
Adityanath announced that the government will establish Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Employment Centres in all 75 districts of the state. These centres will promote cluster-based skill development and provide local employment opportunities so that youth no longer have to migrate for jobs.
About the project
On August 27, 2020, the LDA had demolished two buildings on the 2,200 sqft land in Dalibagh.
Ansari, before he was jailed, and his family members used to live in the buildings for two decades. The authority had claimed the buildings were built on ‘evacuee property’ after illegal occupation and said the map for the construction was not approved.
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Such properties, which earlier belonged to families who immigrated to Pakistan, come under the Enemy Property Act. The government later had decided to develop a housing scheme and build EWS flats.
Facilities
Developed by the Lucknow Development Authority under the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Housing Scheme on about 2,322 sqm of land in Dalibagh
Lottery process was completed on Tuesday to allot the flats
72 flats (G+3) built in three blocks
Each measures 36.65 square metres
Each EWS-category flat costs Rs 10.70 lakh
It includes water and electricity supply, security arrangements, and two-wheeler parking -External development such as roads and parks has also been completed
Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution.
Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape.
Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More
