LUCKNOW, Nov. 4 -- The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has speeded up construction work at a housing project for the economically weaker sections (EWS) in the state capital's Dalibagh area on prime land once linked to mafioso-turned-politician the late Mukhtar Ansari and later freed by the authorities, people aware of the matter said.

The development authority is aiming at the inauguration on November 5, according to those in the know of things. Officials expect chief minister Yogi Adityanath to visit the site for the opening of a road, park and EWS flats. However, LDA vice-chairman Prathamesh Kumar refused to confirm the schedule of the inauguration by the chief minister.

There were at least 130 applicants for each EWS flat measuri...