Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to lay the foundation stone on Thursday for the Padma Lok Awas Yojana, an affordable housing project comprising around 600 flats in Prayagraj. The project is planned on land reclaimed from mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed.

The housing scheme is proposed on more than 1 hectare in the Sadar tehsil area. The Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) is responsible for developing the site and has registered the project with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).

PDA Vice-Chairman Rishi Raj said preparations were underway for the foundation stone ceremony, which senior officials and public representatives were expected to attend. He said the land belonged to the development authority but had previously been occupied by mafia elements before it was reclaimed for public development.

Around 600 flats are proposed under the scheme, although the authority has not yet finalised the sizes, prices, eligibility criteria or allotment procedures. The detailed project report is being processed, and the PDA will complete the required formalities and begin the tendering process after receiving approval.

The project forms part of efforts to use reclaimed land for affordable housing in Prayagraj. In the Lukerganj area, land earlier reclaimed from Atiq Ahmed was used to construct 76 flats under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Those homes were subsequently allotted to beneficiaries.

The new development is expected to provide housing through a formal authority-led project once the detailed plan and tendering process are completed. Further information on construction timelines and beneficiary selection will be available after the relevant approvals and procedures are concluded.