A multi-storey building in Lucknow's Aliganj locality that was badly damaged in a recent fire is now set to be torn down completely, with its owner rushing to clear it out himself before demolition crews move in.
Authority ordered demolition after safety check
After the fire broke out in the Aliganj building, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) carried out a detailed inspection to assess the structure's safety and the legality of its construction. Based on the flaws uncovered, the authority formally ordered the building's demolition on July 10. The owner was told in clear terms to pull the structure down himself, at his own cost, within 15 days, or face action from the authority.
Just five days left, panic sets in
Most of that 15-day window has already elapsed, leaving only five days for the building to come down. As the deadline draws closer, both the owner and the tenants living there have grown anxious. That anxiety translated into action on Monday, when the pace of clearing belongings out of the building picked up sharply.
Pet shop goods rushed out too
A pet shop had been operating on the building's ground floor for a long time. Its owner also hurried to move all the shop's goods to safer locations before demolition work begins. To prevent any chaos while the premises were being cleared, a large police force was deployed on the spot to maintain law and order.
LDA warns it will bring in bulldozers if deadline is missed
LDA officials have made it clear that this is the owner's last chance. If the building is not safely demolished on his own within the 15-day period, an LDA team will arrive at the site and bring it down using bulldozers. On top of that, the entire cost of the government-led demolition will be recovered from the building owner.
