LUCKNOW, Sept. 15 -- Eighteen years after it was announced, the Lucknow Development Authority's (LDA) Prabandh Nagar housing scheme on IIM Road remains stalled. Despite acquiring over 1,870 acres and earmarking Rs 4,500 crore, disputes with farmers and a lack of environmental clearance continue to hold up the project. Planned in 2007, the scheme covered 2,077 acres across Allu Nagar, Diguriya and Kakauli villages. Farmers allege that LDA is still offering compensation based on 2007 rates. The matter is pending in the LAARA court. Bakshi Ka Talab MLA Yogesh Shukla, representing the farmers, said, "No farmer has taken compensation from the three villages. LDA continues to offer outdated 2007 rates, which farmers cannot accept. Many are facing financial distress as their land is locked in litigation." Amit Yadav, a farmer from the affected villages, said, "The authority's indecision has left us in a deadlock for nearly 20 years. The award granted in 2011 fixed compensation at around Rs 3 lakh per bigha, but the prevailing rates were much higher. No farmer agreed to settle." He added that environmental issues related to tree cover have further delayed clearance. The project was billed as one of LDA's largest, aimed at easing the housing shortage in northern Lucknow. Plans included 20 lakh sq metres for residential plots, seven lakh sq metres for commercial use, 14.58 lakh sq metres for an industrial hub, and another seven lakh sq metres for mixed development. An LDA official said environmental clearance and negotiations with farmers are still incomplete. Vice-chairman Prathamesh Kumar stated, "The scheme has been delayed due to disputes. Once a mutual agreement is reached on compensation, the project will move forward."...