Prayagraj’s urban housing sector is witnessing significant activity as the District Urban Development Agency (DUDA) reports over 63,000 applications for homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The agency, responsible for implementing the scheme in the city, is planning to provide housing to 1.2 lakh residents. The screening process for eligible applicants is currently underway, building on last year’s allocation, where 26,437 eligible residents were offered homes under the program.
According to DUDA project director Pratibha Srivastava, approximately 20,000 applications have been reviewed so far, with around 70 per cent found eligible. The remaining applications are being evaluated to determine eligibility. The agency intends to provide housing for all applicants meeting the criteria. In addition to DUDA, other authorities such as the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA), Housing Development Board, and local gram panchayats are actively facilitating the scheme to ensure maximum outreach.
The PDA is developing the Nav Prayagam Township on a 26-hectare site in Naini, aimed at accommodating over 45,000 residents. Alongside, the Housing Development Board is working on a new plotting scheme in the Naini region, potentially providing residential plots for approximately 1,500 families. The combined efforts of these agencies are expected to address a significant portion of the city’s housing demand.
Under both the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Housing Schemes, around 12,000 to 15,000 houses are planned for allocation to eligible beneficiaries across Prayagraj. The state government is prioritizing maximum housing provision in the city, which has a population exceeding 75 lakh, reflecting growing urban pressures and the need for affordable housing solutions.
The PMAY initiative is part of a broader national effort to ensure housing for all, with particular focus on low- and middle-income groups. Implementation at the district level involves close coordination between development authorities, gram panchayats, and housing boards to streamline application processing, verification, and allocation. In Prayagraj, the large number of applications indicates strong demand for affordable housing and underscores the program’s importance for urban residents.
Experts note that large-scale housing schemes such as PMAY require careful planning to balance supply and demand, ensure equitable distribution, and maintain infrastructure support. Coordination with local authorities, timely verification of applications, and transparency in allotment processes are critical to meeting the scheme’s objectives.
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