Curation Team
LUCKNOW: In a decision aimed at easing the process of building map approvals, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) eliminated the requirement of obtaining a no objection certificate (NOC) from the municipal corporation.
The move, announced by LDA vice chairperson Prathamesh Kumar and approved in the recent board meeting, is expected to benefit hundreds of applicants whose files were stuck due to bureaucratic delays.
Until now, the LDA required NOCs from several departments, including the municipal corporation, to ensure that the construction site did not encroach upon any civic land. However, corporation officials reportedly started inspecting for Nazul and ceiling land as well, causing months-long delays in file clearances.
Kumar stated, “Now, applicants will no longer need to run from pillar to post for a municipal NOC. The LDA will handle the entire verification process internally. This step has been taken to remove unnecessary hurdles and accelerate the approval process.”
“The municipal corporation has information only for the extended areas. For the old 86 mohallas, no concrete records are available. It made no sense to involve them in every case when LDA can verify these details from its own records,” Kumar explained.
A senior official informed, “Over 50-60 new applications are received for map approval. The decision will ease the process of the approval and give convenience to the public.”
NOCs for extended areas will be obtained from the respective tehsil offices, which maintain updated data on Nazul and ceiling land. For properties within municipal limits, LDA’s own property department will carry out investigations.
While the municipal corporation will no longer play a role in the map approval process, its revenue sources will remain unaffected. “The corporation will still collect garbage and debris charges. This decision won’t hamper their income,” assured the LDA vice chairperson.
Residents and builders have welcomed the move. “Our file was stuck for over six months due to the NOC issue. This new rule is a big relief for us,” said Arvind Mishra, a local builder from Aliganj.
Officials believe the reform will reduce red tape, increase transparency, and significantly speed up the approval process — a long-standing demand of citizens and developers alike.
