25 Jul 2025

Prayagraj has recently enforced new regulations making structural safety audits mandatory for all high-rise buildings exceeding 15 meters in height. Prompted by growing safety concerns and previous fire incidents, these structures will now require an initial audit ten years post-construction, followed by reviews every five years. Building owners, developers, or Resident Welfare Associations are responsible for promptly addressing any identified risks. Reconciliation may lead to authorities undertaking necessary repairs at the owners' expense, ensuring enhanced safety standards across the city.Read more

23 Jul 2025

ITC Hotels Ltd has opened a new property in Prayagraj under its Welcomhotel brand, adding to its expanding portfolio in Uttar Pradesh. The newly launched 60-key hotel brings the company's total footprint in the state to seven operational properties, with six more under development. In a parallel development, TACC Ltd and the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) have formalised a partnership to innovate in next-generation construction materials using graphene-based additives.Read more

16 Jul 2025

Prayagraj is set to witness the implementation of Uttar Pradesh's overhauled Bed & Breakfast (B&B) and Homestay Policy 2025, aiming to establish approximately 800 new registered homestay-cum-B&B units in the city. The initiative, overseen by the state's tourism department, intends to enhance accommodation infrastructure, especially around religious and tourist hotspots. It replaces the earlier paying guest model with a formalised framework that mandates safety features, owner occupancy, limited room capacity, and cultural engagement. The registration process is being eased for interested residents, with nominal registration fees, NOC-based approvals, and structured classification into Silver and Gold categories. The policy also carries wider implications for employment generation, women empowerment, and tourism-led economic growth in the region.Read more

10 Jul 2025

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved new Building Construction and Development Byelaws 2025 for Prayagraj, removing the need for prior building plan approvals for houses on plots up to 100 square meters. This aims to simplify homebuilding for middle-class families, saving about INR 1.25 lakh in fees. The bylaws also introduce flexible building usage, allowing home-based shops and offices, and ease approvals for larger projects. While not applicable to restricted areas, the changes are expected to boost housing and retail activities, improving city revenue.Read more

08 Jul 2025

The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to launch a unified billing system for property, water, and sewer taxes, expected to go live next week. This initiative aims to simplify the tax process for residents and reduce administrative burdens by consolidating separate bills into one. The system, aligning with state government guidelines, will integrate all necessary data and offer flexible online and offline payment options. This move is part of PMC's efforts to enhance transparency, citizen engagement, and operational efficiency, promising a streamlined approach to municipal tax collection.Read more

23 Jun 2025

The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) is preparing to launch a redevelopment initiative across 88 vacant and fenced plots located in localities such as Naini, Jhunsi, Phaphamau, Bamrauli, and Jhalwa. The plan involves constructing multi-storey buildings with commercial shops on the ground and first floors and residential flats above, aiming to boost the city's income while addressing the growing issue of illegal encroachments. Encroached municipal land especially in Kareli, Daraganj, Rasulabad and other densely populated areas is also set to be reclaimed. The civic body will soon present a detailed land inventory for formal approval before initiating construction and legal proceedings.Read more

05 Jun 2025

The Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) is offering 764 unsold affordable flats across 12 residential schemes in Prayagraj, targeting EWS, LIG, and 1BHK, 2BHK, and 3BHK buyers. Allotments will be made via a transparent lottery system. To boost accessibility, PDA has reduced prices by 10% across all categories. Key projects include Jagriti Vihar Awasiya Yojna, Mausam Vihar Apartment, Vasudha Vihar, Mangal Vihar, Sugam Vihar, Yamuna Vihar in Naini, Janhvi Apartment, Manas Vihar, Azad Apartment, Divine Apartment in Trivenipuram (4BHK), Saras Vihar in Jhunsi, and Govindpur luxury flats. PDA has published details on janhit.upda.in and www.pdaprayagraj.org, with helpline support available. This initiative aims to meet Prayagraj's growing housing demand while ensuring transparency and affordability in the home-buying process.Read more

29 May 2025

Prayagraj Municipal Corporation launched QR code stickers to streamline and accelerate house and water tax collection throughout Sangam City. Starting with commercial properties and expanding zone-wise to residential areas, the initiative enables tax collectors to facilitate both online and offline payments through door-to-door visits. This digital advancement addresses previous inefficiencies caused by delayed payments and excuses related to online transfers. The system enables homeowners to pay house, water, and sewer taxes together. With over 177,000 properties identified, the corporation targets immediate recovery from 55,000 buildings, enhancing transparency, convenience, and revenue efficiency in municipal tax collection.Read more

28 May 2025

The Prayagraj district administration has initiated stringent recovery actions against more than 2,000 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) who received financial assistance but failed to construct their homes. The defaulters include 1,507 rural beneficiaries under PMAY-Gramin and 504 urban beneficiaries under PMAY-Urban. Notably, nearly 470 urban beneficiaries received financial aid almost six years ago but have yet to commence construction. The administration is preparing to issue Recovery Certificates (RCs) from the respective tehsils to reclaim the misused public funds.Read more

05 May 2025

The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has begun levying house tax on approximately 1.25 lakh residential buildings in newly incorporated areas like Naini, Jhunsi, Phaphamau, Jhalwa, and Bamrauli. This marks the first time these zones fall under municipal taxation, as PMC aims to formalise urban expansion and boost revenue. Residents are encouraged to complete a self-assessment process to ensure accurate billing, with physical verification to follow if needed. A 10% rebate is offered for payments made by July 31. This initiative follows low compliance in the previous year and reflects PMC's broader push to integrate peripheral areas and strengthen civic service delivery.Read more

18 Apr 2025

After five years following the expansion of Prayagraj's urban limits in 2020-21, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) is now set to collect house tax on 1.5 lakh additional buildings in the newly included areas. Property owners in these areas will also be required to pay water tax. Tax collection has already started in several parts, including Naini and Jhunsi, where basic urban amenities were provided earlier. The move follows similar plans in Gorakhpur and Varanasi. While some villagers express dissatisfaction due to a lack of urban development, many property owners have already paid their house tax for the current fiscal year.Read more

26 Mar 2025

The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has urged homeowners to clear their house and water taxes by March 31, 2025, to avoid penalties. Payments after the deadline will attract 12% interest on property tax and a 10% surcharge on water tax. So far, the PMC has collected INR 95.50 crore from 146,210 properties, aiming for INR 130 crore by year-end. To improve convenience, a unified online portal with QR code-enabled tax bills has been launched for easy payments. Similar efforts in cities like Delhi show a national push toward digital tax collection, boosting transparency and civic revenue for essential services.Read more

18 Mar 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved Prayagraj Development Authority's (PDA) Master Plan-2031, expanding the city's area from 309 sq. km to 398 sq. km by incorporating 639 villages. Key features include a new 'Highway Facility' land use category along major roads for commercial hubs and legalizing existing unauthorized commercial properties. This structured urbanization aims to boost infrastructure, attract investments, and streamline property regulations. Similar to urban expansion projects in Delhi and Mumbai, the plan seeks to modernize Prayagraj into a more structured and business-friendly city, ensuring sustainable growth over the next decade.Read more

22 Jan 2025

The Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj is hosting millions of devotees, with 1.75 crore participating in the 'Amrit Snan' on Makar Sankranti. Attendees can choose from a variety of accommodations, including luxury tents by TUTC at INR 70,000-INR 1 lakh per night, offering en suite bathrooms and guided tours. Mid-range options like Kumbh Camp India Adhvanta start at INR 14,000, while budget stays by UPSTDC range from INR 1,500 to INR 35,000. Packages like MakeMyTrip's "Soulful Kumbh" at INR 28,695 per person provide additional convenience. Visitors are encouraged to book early, as demand is high for this spiritually significant gathering.Read more

07 Jan 2025

The 17th-century Mubarak Manzil in Agra, a significant Mughal-era structure tied to Aurangzeb and other prominent leaders, was largely demolished just three months after steps were initiated to protect it. Despite community protests and recent efforts by the state archaeological department to designate it as a protected site, allegations of collusion between a builder and officials led to its destruction. This iconic site, which blended Mughal and British architectural styles, was reduced to rubble, sparking local outrage and an official investigation. The incident highlights the fragility of India's heritage and underscores the urgent need for stronger preservation measures to safeguard historical landmarks.Read more

PNT Reporter

19 Dec 2024

To prepare for the influx of pilgrims expected during the Maha Kumbh in 2025, the Prayagraj airport has undergone significant expansion at a cost of INR 233 crore. The revamped airport will increase passenger handling capacity from 350 to 2,050 passengers per hour with upgrades to terminal buildings and the apron area. Additional facilities include expanded aircraft parking bays, a new taxiway for smoother operations, night landing capabilities, and improved city-side amenities such as enhanced parking and a culturally inspired theme. Airlines have proposed 14 new flights, and provisions for chartered planes and transfer services for pilgrims are also in place.Read more

PNT Reporter

18 Dec 2024

The Agra Metro is a transformative urban transit project designed to modernize Agra's transportation infrastructure and support its population and tourism. Phase 1 includes two corridors: the Yellow Line (Taj East Gate to Mankameshwar Mandir) and the Blue Line (Agra Cantt to Kalindi Vihar), covering 29.4 km with a total estimated cost of INR 12,899 crore. The Yellow Line's 6 km priority corridor, inaugurated in March 2024, features six stations, including Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Upon full completion by 2026, it promises a seamless, sustainable transport solution for residents and tourists alike.Read more

PNT Reporter

04 Dec 2024

The state government has announced plans for New Agra, a heritage city envisioned along the Yamuna Expressway in Agra district, under the jurisdiction of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA). Covering approximately 10,500 hectares, the New Agra Urban Centre aims to become a commercial and tourism hub, incorporating 60 villages in the Etmadpur tehsil near the Taj Mahal. Developed with input from a consulting firm, the project will prioritize connectivity and environmental regulations. As the Noida International Airport prepares to open next April, New Agra is poised to enhance Agra's appeal as a tourist destination.Read more