LUCKNOW, Sept. 20 -- Building maps in the state capital will now be approved even on 7.5-meter-wide roads, with architects authorised to verify whether the road has been constructed by a government department. Earlier, the rules stipulated that maps could be approved only if the road was 9-meter wide. A Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) senior official said that the new provision would apply only to roads owned by government bodies, including the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), the LDA, and other concerned departments. It will not be applicable to roads inside private residential colonies. The LDA announced this reform on Friday, removing the need for certificates from various departments, which earlier delayed the approval process. LDA vice-chairman Prathamesh Kumar introduced the changes in a meeting with architects. Additional secretary Gyanendra Verma, chief town planner KK Gautam, engineers and other officials were also present. Kumar said the move would significantly cut red tape and speed up approvals. During the meeting, architects flagged the issue of mandatory site plans even for LDA's own projects, despite the authority already holding records. Kumar ordered that applicants would no longer be required to submit site plans for such projects. The responsibility of verifying site details will now rest with the LDA's Map Section. He also addressed the problem of inadequate parking in older constructions. He said mitigation maps will be approved if applicants provide mechanised or automated parking facilities. This, he explained, would help ease space constraints and allow builders to regularise properties in compliance with bylaws. The review of maps revealed frequent mistakes by architects, including missing affidavits, faulty FAR calculations, and resubmitting maps without rectifying objections. Taking a tough stance, Kumar warned that applications would be rejected outright if objections remain unaddressed after the third instance. "While we are simplifying procedures to benefit applicants, accountability is equally essential. Negligence will not be tolerated," Kumar said. Kumar also gathered inputs from architects on challenges faced in the current system, including delays and common objections....