The Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) has initiated a comprehensive review of notices issued over the last ten years to properties found violating building bylaws, approved maps, land-use norms, and other development regulations. This exercise, ordered by PDA Vice-Chairman Rishi Raj, aims to identify buildings that may now qualify for regularisation under the relaxed provisions of Master Plan-2031.
Scope of the Review
As part of this process, PDA is re-examining notices sent to more than 30,000 property owners. Many of these structures were previously flagged for non-compliance with construction norms and could not be regularised under Master Plan-2021. However, following state government relaxations incorporated into Master Plan-2031, these property owners now have a fresh opportunity to legalise their constructions by paying the prescribed compounding fee.
“This is not a new crackdown but an effort to revisit past cases and extend the benefits of revised regulations to eligible owners. We believe many buildings that were previously outside regularisation can now be brought into the legal fold,” said the PDA Vice-Chairman.
Financial Impact
The initiative is also expected to significantly boost PDA’s finances. Officials estimate that the authority could collect over Rs 1,500 crore in compounding fees from eligible properties. This additional revenue would strengthen PDA’s financial position and fund future development projects and infrastructure initiatives.
Digitisation and Record Management
A detailed review of records from the past decade is underway. As more documents are scrutinised, the number of properties covered may rise from over 30,000 to nearly 40,000. The process is also helping PDA digitise and organise its records, including old notices, property details, and related documents. This digital database will enhance administrative efficiency and future reference.
To ensure smooth implementation, dedicated teams under the supervision of the PDA secretary have been formed. These teams will identify eligible cases, coordinate with property owners, process applications, and facilitate the collection of compounding fees for regularisation under Master Plan-2031.
