PRAYAGRAJ: The Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) has announced plans to adjust the prices of its unsold residential units to rekindle interest among potential homebuyers.
This decision was made during the PDA’s board meeting on Wednesday. Chairing the session, divisional commissioner Saumya Agarwal instructed officials to review house pricing in line with government-issued costing guidelines and current market conditions.
Previously, PDA had frozen the property prices, a move that did not attract buyers.
The board has also endorsed proposals to amend discrepancies in the city’s Master Plan 2031. Currently, regulations in upscale neighborhoods like Civil Lines, Georgetown, and Tagore Town restrict the height of buildings to 7.5 meters on plots under 200 square meters. If approved by the government, these restrictions will be lifted, permitting construction on smaller plots and allowing tall structures in these elite areas.
In another significant initiative, the board has agreed to commission a detailed survey of urban ceiling and improvement trust lands. This task will be executed by PCS Management Consultancy Private Limited, which will employ drone technology for land mapping and create a digital database, aimed at enhancing land management and boosting PDA’s revenue.
Officials have also been directed to digitize records of government, nazul, and other public lands for improved identification and oversight.
To ensure higher quality in development projects, the PDA board has approved the establishment of a Project Management Unit (PMU). This independent body will consist of experts tasked with monitoring the quality of all development initiatives undertaken by the authority. Selection of the PMU will be carried out through a tender process.
The board has also approved the hiring of outsourced staff for vacant positions. At present, 148 such employees are engaged with the PDA, with the possibility of recruiting more as regular appointments await government approval.
Changes to the development plan of the Sangam area, particularly around the Bade Hanuman Temple corridor, have also been sanctioned to enhance facilities for devotees.
Financially, the board has approved a budget of over Rs 2,519 crore for the 2026-27 fiscal year, with Rs 907.71 crore allocated for revenue expenditure. Additionally, proposals for new townships under the Chief Minister’s Urban Expansion Scheme in areas like Jhunsi, Naini, and near the airport have been presented.
In a pivotal decision, the board also stated that the funds received from Prayagraj Smart City Limited for development works near the high court will not be returned, as the amount has already been used for various projects.
