LUCKNOW, May 12 -- The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) will construct over 900 affordable flats on reclaimed nazul (government) land near Shia PG College on Sitapur Road, bringing a major housing project for lower and middle-income families in a prime urban pocket of the state capital. The LDA will develop the housing complex on nearly 16,000 square metres of land that it recently freed from encroachment. Prathamesh Kumar, LDA vice-chairman, approved the proposal and directed officials to begin the tender process for the multi-storey complex. The authority will develop 582 LIG flats and 336 EWS flats under the project. Officials said the LIG apartments will include 2BHK units spread across nearly 50 square metres and will cost around Rs 35 lakh. The EWS category flats will consist of 1BHK units with an area of about 38 square metres and an estimated price of nearly Rs 15 lakh. The project is expected to benefit families struggling to purchase houses within the city due to rapidly increasing property prices and shrinking affordable housing options in developed localities. LDA officials said the project offers seamless connectivity to the national highway and key parts of the city. HTC...