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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
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
The Cabinet has approved three multi-tracking railway projects worth INR 7,927 crore along the Prayagraj-Mumbai corridor, aimed at enhancing passenger and freight capacity. The projects include a 4th line between Jalgaon and Manmad (160 km), a 3rd and 4th line between Bhusawal and Khandwa (131 km), and a 3rd line from Prayagraj (Iradatganj) to Manikpur. Spanning seven districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, the upgrades will extend the rail network by 639 km, enabling smoother travel and increased freight traffic of 51 MTPA. These projects will also support climate goals by reducing 271 crore kilograms of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting 11 crore trees, while boosting regional connectivity and economic growth.Read more
The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has seen a substantial increase in tax collection, thanks to a new software system for online assessments and payments. By September 2024, the PMC collected approximately INR 53 crore from house taxes, up from INR 36 crore the previous year. The corporation has also extended the deadline for a 10% tax rebate until October 31. Upcoming initiatives include pothole-free road repairs, regular cultural programmes at the Ganga-Yamuna ghats, and a commitment to clean drains to address water logging issues. Additional decisions include providing communication equipment to officers and planting thousands of saplings.Read more
Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has introduced a modern QR code payment system, allowing residents to pay their house tax from home while earning extra savings. Homeowners can now enjoy a 12.5% total discount on house tax, with an additional 2.5% rebate for using the QR code option. This initiative aims to simplify tax payments, promote cashless transactions, and improve compliance among over 1.2 lakh property owners across the city. The system promises a hassle-free way to keep up with taxes while benefiting from extra savings.Read more
Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) is taking stringent measures against major house tax defaulters, issuing 'red notices' to 7,303 individuals with outstanding amounts exceeding Rs 50,000. Among them, 2,433 owe over Rs 1 lakh. Failure to pay within the stipulated time will result in actions such as attaching and sealing their properties. Despite collecting Rs 53.76 crore in house tax from 1,11,827 building owners in the current fiscal year, more than 1.25 lakh individuals haven't fulfilled their obligations. The PMC clarified that no compound interest is charged on house tax; instead, a simple interest rate of 1% per month is applied, seeking to dispel misconceptions about interest accumulation.Read more
The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has replaced the Geographical Information Survey (GIS) for house area calculations with self-assessment forms. Property owners can now evaluate their own properties for tax assessment. The PMC initiated self-assessment for house tax calculation, with detailed forms available at zonal offices and PMC campus. Owners must provide accurate details including property type, area measurements, and occupancy status. Failure to provide accurate information may lead to penalties. Local corporators will aid in the process, and forms must be submitted by October 31, 2023. The change aims to streamline taxation and enhance accuracy.Read more
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The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has questioned Jaiprakash Associates Ltd's (JAL) plan to settle dues and reclaim 1,000 hectares of land. JAL proposed selling land to raise funds, but YEIDA raised concerns about the land being mortgaged. Discrepancies exist regarding the outstanding amount, with YEIDA claiming Rs 3,621 crore while JAL insists on Rs 1,483 crore. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 13, where JAL must address the land encumbrance. The resolution will determine the fate of the Sports City project on the Yamuna Expressway.Read more
The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has recently expanded its jurisdiction to include 20 new localities, resulting in the incorporation of these areas into the official records of the PMC. With the addition of these localities, the municipal corporation now has a total of 100 wards. Efforts are being made to ensure that properties in the newly created wards comply with PMC's house tax regulations. A GIS-powered study is also underway to provide precise data for the newly incorporated wards.Read more
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Noida Authority to maintain status quo on its order of demolishing farmhouses on the Yamuna floodplain. The directive was issued in response to a petition filed by a farmhouse owner, Ratna Mitra, whose objections were rejected by the authority. Mitra's legal team contended that the authority did not have the necessary jurisdiction to order the demolitions, especially in the absence of floodplain demarcation. The court has directed the authority and National Mission for Clean Ganga to file counter affidavits and listed the case for the next hearing on July 2, 2023.Read more
Many shopping and commercial complexes in Prayagraj have neglected electrical safety audits and No Objection Certificates (NOCs). The recent fire at the Nehru complex highlighted this oversight, prompting fire department officials to call for urgent safety audits, upgraded fire safety systems, and wiring replacements. A recent survey found that over 60% of shops lack adequate fire-fighting arrangements or knowledge of precautions. Authorities must enforce safety regulations and raise awareness to prevent future incidents and ensure public safety.Read more
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
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
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