PRAYAGRAJ, Sept. 6 -- Progress of Smart City Mission projects, Kumbh Mela-related works, and various development schemes of the Authority was reviewed at the 143rd meeting of the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) Board, held under the chairmanship of divisional commissioner Lokesh M on Saturday. District magistrate Manish Verma, PDA vice-chairman Rishiraj, municipal commissioner Sai Teja, and other senior officials were present at the meeting. During a review of the health club and multipurpose cultural complex projects being executed under the Smart City Mission and Kumbh Mela initiatives, the divisional commissioner expressed dissatisfaction over the failure to follow instructions related to the project. In the absence of a satisfactory explanation, he directed that action be initiated against the PDA chief engineer. He also instructed officials to prepare a list of roads constructed by the Authority that are currently under the Defect Liability Period (DLP). An action plan is to be formulated for such roads, and those damaged during the monsoon are to be repaired without delay. Reviewing the Authority's monthly income, the divisional commissioner directed officials to prepare a complete inventory of rental properties and establish an automated monitoring system. The mechanism will help identify tenants with outstanding dues and facilitate the prompt issuance of notices. He further emphasised strict adherence to prescribed timelines for obtaining no objection certificates (NOCs) from concerned departments for building plan approvals. Cases involving undue delays in issuing NOCs are to be referred to the government for appropriate action. The Board approved a proposal to revise betterment charges. Under the new policy, existing buildings with previously approved maps will be charged only for any additional construction undertaken. The revised rates will remain unchanged for the next five years. Officials said the decision was taken in response to public demand. A major decision of the meeting was the approval of approximately 602 two-bedroom housing units under the Padam Lok Awas Yojana in the Kasari-Masari area. The divisional commissioner directed that adequate infrastructure, including widened roads, sewerage facilities, parking spaces, drinking water supply, and other basic amenities, be provided. He also stressed transparency in allotments through an online lottery system. Officials were instructed to ensure compliance with reservation norms for persons with disabilities and other eligible categories. Additionally, applicants must receive timely refunds if they are not allotted housing through the lottery process. The Board discussed around 45 revenue villages that were included in the revised Prayagraj Master Plan-2031 without a formal government notification. Although the Master Plan maps classify the land in these villages as 'Agriculture or 'Highway Facility Zone', no official notification has yet been issued. In view of this, the Board approved a proposal not to sanction building plans in these villages until the matter is formally notified by the government. The Board approved a proposal to reassess the prices of unsold and vacant flats under different housing schemes in accordance with the Model Costing Guidelines-2025. Following recalculation under the prescribed formula, reduced rates will be fixed and the sale process expedited. The Board also approved a Request for Proposal (RFP) for preparing a consolidated Master Plan covering six zones and 31 sub-zones within the Authority's jurisdiction. A proposal regarding the disposal of vacant group housing, commercial, and residential plots through e-auction was also discussed. The divisional commissioner directed that both the e-auction platform and map-related digital systems be upgraded to ensure accuracy, transparency, and ease of use for applicants. To facilitate land bank creation, officials were instructed to publish public notices along with a toll-free number so that interested landowners can directly contact the Authority without involving intermediaries. The Commissioner further directed that the same mechanism be adopted for land acquisition and land bank creation related to the proposed Aerocity project....