Parks, open spaces cannot be developed for commercial purpose

Lucknow, June 16 (UNI) Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court has ordered that playgrounds, parks and other open spaces within Lucknow city should not be developed for commercial or residential purposes.

The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justices Devi Prasad Singh and S N Shukla yesterday on a writ filed by Gomtinagar Jan Kalyan Samiti.

The bench asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a counter affidavit in the case within four weeks.

The court observed that Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and nagar nigam should develop playgrounds, parks and other open spaces as per the original plan and layout.

In the writ, the petitioner had claimed that a Government Order (GO) dated August 20, 2003 had said greenbelt lands could not be transferred for other purposes without seeking permission of the high powered committee.

It alleged, despite the GO, 204 hectare land in Gomtinagar was being developed for commercial and residential purposes.

UNI XC-VS VA VC0942