Affordable Homes on Mafia Land: CM Yogi Performs Bhoomi Pujan for 800+ Flats in Prayagraj

In a strong demonstration of reclaiming encroached public assets for social welfare, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed the formal groundbreaking ceremony (Bhoomi Pujan) on Thursday for a major residential expansion in Prayagraj. Under the oversight of the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA), the government has initiated Phase Two of the Padmalok Apartments within the Kasari-Masari Housing Scheme, setting into motion the construction of over 800 modern residential flats. The expansive housing initiative is being developed directly on valuable urban land measuring over 15 bighas that was previously seized and freed from the illegal occupation of slain mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed. The project reflects the state administration's targeted policy of transforming confiscated criminal holdings into affordable, high-quality residential infrastructure for ordinary citizens.

Expanding Padmalok Apartments: Over 800 Modern Flats in Kasari-Masari Phase Two

The Prayagraj Development Authority is rapidly scaling up urban housing delivery across reclaimed parcels in the western sector of the city:

• Massive Reclamation Milestone: Official records show that over 15 bighas of prime municipal land had been illegally encroached upon by the Atiq Ahmed syndicate before being cleared through sustained anti-encroachment operations.

• Phase One Foundation: Under Phase One of the Padmalok Apartments development, construction was mapped across an expansive footprint spanning over 14,000 square meters, providing a strong blueprint for community residential housing.

• Phase Two Construction Blueprint: Phase Two is slated for development on a 4,648-square-meter parcel situated opposite the demolished residential site of Atiq Ahmed’s brother-in-law, Imran.

• Meeting Urban Demand: PDA Vice President Rishiraj confirmed that Phase Two will accommodate more than 800 well-ventilated apartment units, equipped with contemporary civic amenities, paved approach roads, and dedicated power and water links to ease Prayagraj's urban housing crunch.

Transparent Flat Pricing: What Will Phase Two Units Cost?

The development authority has structured accessible price brackets to support middle-income and working-class families seeking quality urban homes:

• Estimated Price Bracket: PDA Vice President Rishiraj announced that flats constructed under Phase Two of the Padmalok scheme will be priced competitively between ₹28 lakh and ₹30 lakh.

• Planned Commercial Utilization: The development authority emphasized that systematic residential construction ensures freed land assets are protected from future encroachments while providing legitimate, legally sound property options to city buyers.

• Modern Living Standards: The gated layout will feature organized vehicle parking, landscaped open pockets, green utility zones, and reliable municipal connections.

PMAY Housing in Peepal Village: Reclaimed Land to House 2,000 Needy Families for Just ₹2 Lakh

In addition to the Kasari-Masari expansion, the district administration has mounted a massive social welfare housing initiative on land reclaimed from Atiq Ahmed's fugitive wife, Shaista Parveen:

• Over One Hectare Cleared in Peepal Village: Authorities successfully freed more than one hectare of encroached property held in the name of Shaista Parveen in Peepal village, now designated entirely for welfare housing.

• Massive PMAY Pipeline: Suraj Patel, Property Officer for the PDA, confirmed that the authority has officially requisitioned the tract from district revenue authorities to erect between 1,500 and 2,000 affordable flats under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

• Massive Subsidy Benefit: While the baseline construction cost of each PMAY flat is pegged at ₹4.50 lakh, eligible economically weaker section (EWS) allottees will only have to pay a net contribution of ₹2 lakh.

• Flexible Installment Plans: Selected beneficiaries can clear their ₹2 lakh share through manageable half-yearly or annual installments of ₹50,000.

• Direct Government Support: The remaining balance of ₹2.50 lakh per unit is directly co-financed by central and state government housing subsidies, even though the prevailing open-market valuation for comparable residential units in the vicinity ranges from ₹12 lakh to ₹15 lakh.