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2w ago

Cracks in Lucknow Apartment Pillars Force Evacuation and Temporary Shoring

The damage exposes enforcement failures that may lead to demolition, owner liability, urgent structural audits, and rehousing for displaced families.

The incident occurred between 10:30 am and 11:00 am, putting the lives of dozens of residents at risk. LDA officials present at the scene confirmed that rooms had been constructed and sold even on the illegal sixth floor (terrace). (Deepak Gupta/HT Photo)
An exercise was initiated on Tuesday to strengthen the multi-storey residential building at Wazirganj by placing multiple jacks, a parallel brick pillar to provide extra support after a pillar developed cracks, forcing emergency evacuation of 25 families on Monday. (Sourced)
Heavy-duty jacks and parallel brick pillar deployed to temporarily stabilize the structure, aiming to give 25 evacuated families a narrow window to retrieve their belongings before demolition. (Sourced)

Overview

  • On Monday, visible cracks developed in two to three ground-floor pillars of SA Apartment in Barood Khana, prompting officials to evacuate about 24–25 families with no reported injuries.
  • Teams from the Lucknow Development Authority, Public Works Department and Municipal Corporation installed heavy jacks and temporary supports to stabilise the structure while police cordoned off the site.
  • LDA records show the 2009 sanctioned plan authorised a stilt plus three floors but the building had six floors and a 2020 notice over the sixth floor was not enforced, highlighting an apparent approval and monitoring lapse.
  • Officials have ordered an immediate structural audit and said illegal sections will be demolished if needed, with the administration planning to recover stabilisation and demolition costs from the owner while the exact cause remains under investigation.
  • Displaced residents face uncertainty about their possessions and housing as teams work to allow a limited window to retrieve belongings and the administration arranges temporary shelter while safety and legal steps proceed.