LUCKNOW, June 14 -- The district administration has ordered immediate removal of encroachments in Basant Kunj Sector A of the state capital, on Friday, ensuring long-pending land possession to allottees. It further directed that a joint team of Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and police be deployed at the site. During an inspection of the project site, divisional commissioner Roshan Jacob pulled up officials for the delay in handing over the land despite all procedures being completed. "Encroachments by land mafia using sand and gravel must be cleared without delay. Form a joint LDA-police team and take possession immediately," she told officers present at the site. The decision offers renewed hope to 272 allottees, who have been waiting for possession of plots allotted through the lottery system in the year around 2022. She also issued strict instructions to act against any miscreants trying to hinder the process. "If anyone creates a nuisance, register an FIR without discrimination and send them to jail," she said. The land in question spans over 85,713 square metres, involving 272 residential plots of 72, 112, and 200 square metres. According to senior LDA officials, most farmers have accepted compensation, but due to lack of police support and pending surveys, the authority has repeatedly failed to take control of the site. The latest setback comes amid ongoing survey delays as the department, which is responsible for conducting the final land acquisition assessment, is currently engaged in the lottery process of the Anant Nagar housing scheme near Mohan Road. As a result, the required ground survey at Basant Kunj Sector A remains pending. Earlier, on May 27, Hindustan Times had reported how LDA officials had to retreat from the possession site due to the absence of police protection, despite issuing notices and informing all concerned departments. That delay caused significant distress to plot allottees, many of whom have been waiting for over a year.Responding to the issue then, LDA secretary, Vivek Srivastava, had said, "We spoke to representatives of the Kisan Union. They have demanded a detailed survey before possession. We will conduct that soon and announce a fresh possession date." htc...