LUCKNOW, Oct. 12 -- Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has reclaimed around 650 acres of government land that was either vacant, neglected, or encroached for years. The move, led by vice chairman Prathamesh Kumar, is LDA's attempt to realise an estimated Rs.7,000 crore in land value.

Kumar said the initiative is part of a systematic campaign to identify unused and encroached land through GIS-based surveys and comprehensive land audits. "We have so far identified and taken possession of about 152 plots covering 650 acres. The recovered land will be redeveloped and sold as residential and commercial plots to generate revenue depending upon the usage of the land," he said.

Among the key recoveries are 40.8 acres in Sarsawan, four acres ne...