In a significant policy shift under the Master Plan 2031, the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) has opened the way for commercial activities on 42 major city roads, expanding beyond the 29 streets permitted in the earlier Master Plan 2021.
The move is designed to support urban growth, widen employment opportunities, and encourage organized market development along key city corridors. The newly included stretches cover Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, Katju Marg, Tashkent Marg, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, and other prominent thoroughfares, in addition to roads in the suburban areas of Naini, Jhunsi, Phaphamau, and Rajrooppur.
According to PDA officials, buildings up to two floors located on these designated market streets can now be converted to commercial use. The plan defines the market street zone as a belt extending 15 metres from the road edge. In non-built-up areas, all roads measuring 24 metres or wider are included. Roads of 30 metres or more will require the construction of service lanes during widening projects to ensure smooth traffic flow.
For these stretches, the Market Street Building By-Laws will be enforced. However, residential and other designated land uses located behind the commercial belt will continue to follow their existing by-laws.
Before a property can be legally used for business, fresh compounding is mandatory. PDA will soon conduct a detailed survey of all 42 declared market roads to ensure compliance. Officials have also cautioned that unauthorized conversion of residential properties into shops or offices without approval will invite strict penalties.
This regulatory framework aims to provide a structured transition while preventing haphazard commercialization that could disrupt the city’s infrastructure.
The inclusion of additional roads in the commercial category marks a clear shift toward reshaping Prayagraj’s urban landscape. Many stretches, previously dominated by residential use, are expected to witness gradual transformation into mixed-use corridors.
Officials estimate that the expansion will not only ease the growth of retail and service sectors but also contribute to job creation and increase municipal revenue from commercial taxation. For local property owners, the new policy is likely to enhance asset value and open new opportunities for investment.
The Master Plan 2031 outlines a wider vision of structured development across Prayagraj. It seeks to balance urban expansion with traffic management, regulated construction, and integration of suburban areas into the city’s economic framework. By enlarging the scope of market streets, the plan addresses rising commercial demand while attempting to prevent unregulated sprawl.
With the latest decision, Prayagraj joins a growing list of Indian cities expanding commercial rights along arterial roads. The shift signals a recognition of changing urban dynamics, where mobility corridors increasingly double as hubs for trade and services.
As the policy rolls out, its success will depend on strict enforcement of compounding norms and timely creation of supporting infrastructure such as parking, service lanes, and traffic management systems.
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