LUCKNOW, May 11 -- Illegal temporary shacks have started coming up inside parks and green belts developed by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) in Gomti Nagar Extension, raising fresh concerns over the encroachment of public spaces in one of the authority's flagship residential townships. A major encroachment recently surfaced near Rapti Apartment in Sector-4. Along the road connecting the G20 Road to the apartment complex, over 20 temporary shacks have allegedly been set up on park land and adjoining authority space. Residents said the settlement emerged rapidly over the past few weeks and continued expanding without any action on the ground. Though the LDA had installed grills in some areas to protect the spaces from encroachment, these parks have largely remained neglected. Vikas Tiwari, a resident of Gomti Nagar Extension Sector-4, said several parks meant for public use are either occupied illegally or remain inaccessible despite completion. The issue has also exposed the poor upkeep of parks developed by the authority in the township, where large green belts and recreational spaces were planned for every sector. In another case, a park located along the 900-metre road near the 1090 intersection has remained locked since its construction. Construction material continues to lie scattered on the walking tracks, while residents claim no official visits have taken place to inspect the site or make it functional for public use. Another resident, Utkarsh Pandey of Gomti Nagar Extension Sector-5, alleged that the absence of surveillance and enforcement has encouraged the illegal occupation of open spaces in the area. Residents also linked the growing encroachments to civic issues, including malfunctioning streetlights in nearby stretches. htc...