LUCKNOW, Sept. 20 -- The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has started work on the ground after the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved its takeover of the long-delayed Ansal API township, with the authority holding its first meeting on Saturday to prepare a detailed status report before approaching the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The meeting focused on compiling verified information on land and construction in the township so that the authority can present a comprehensive picture of the project before the tribunal. The exercise assumes significance as the final takeover process will have to go through the NCLT, where proceedings related to the developer are already pending. LDA chief town planner, officials from Arjan Zone-2 and the zonal officer concerned attended the meeting. Sources said vice-chairman Prathamesh Kumar directed officials to prepare detailed data based on ground surveys, land records and existing reports. The LDA's Arjan department has been asked to verify the status of land parcels by examining registry and other official records. Officials will identify mortgaged land and establish its ownership status, including details of land belonging to farmers that was subsequently sold by the private developer. The exercise will also examine whether the developer had acquired the respective parcels before selling or developing them and compile other details concerning the ownership and transaction history of the land. Meanwhile, LDA enforcement officials have been asked to identify properties constructed on mortgaged land and structures built without approved building maps from the authority. Town-planning officials will separately examine different pockets of the township to identify illegal plotting and development that did not form part of the approved detailed project report (DPR), sources said. The LDA will also compile details of action already taken by the authority against violations and the present status of such properties. Officials said the data would provide the authority with a consolidated record of the township's land and development status before it places the Cabinet decision and takeover proposal before the NCLT. When contacted about the meeting's outcome, LDA vice-chairman Prathamesh Kumar declined to comment. Earlier, on September 15, Kumar had said the authority would prioritise completing the unfinished township and place the Cabinet decision before the NCLT. The UP Cabinet on September 15 formally approved the takeover of the Ansal API high-tech township. The township, developed by M/s Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd (APIL) under the High-Tech Township Policy through an LDA licence, has remained stalled amid prolonged disputes and insolvency proceedings....