No more land swap, PDA to now refund with interest to plot buyers

Prayagraj: In a major move affecting thousands of homebuyers, the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) has announced that allottees in its residential schemes, who purchased plots but did not take possession, will no longer be provided alternate land. Instead, the authority will refund the paid amount along with interest, offering financial relief, while ensuring clarity and transparency in allotments.The announcement, published in an official advertisement on Friday, is expected to impact nearly 8,000 allottees across various residential projects.
Under the new directive, homebuyers who wish to invest in a fresh residential scheme can have their previously paid amount adjusted towards the new allotment. The PDA emphasised that alternate plots will only be offered if the originally purchased land is free from disputes. For plots where legal or possession issues persist, the only recourse will be a full refund with interest, in line with established rules.Several residential schemes faced long-standing delays, including Dev Prayag, Jhalwa, Neem Sarai, Ganga Darshan, Telierganj, Shantipuram, and Kalindipuram. Over 800 allottees are yet to receive possession despite purchasing their plots years ago. Rishiraj, vice-chairperson of PDA, said that as part of the Sangam Mission, over 100 allottees were earlier allotted plots at alternate locations. The current policy aims to provide a uniform and legally sound approach for all affected residents.PDA officials highlighted that some individuals purchased plots at lower rates and sold them at higher prices, creating additional complications in possession and allocation. For plots free from disputes where registries are completed, possession will be granted as originally intended.The authority urged all affected allottees to approach PDA offices to initiate the refund process or discuss adjustment options for new allotments. This step is seen as a decisive effort to streamline residential allotments, resolve long-pending possession issues, and prevent future disputes, while ensuring fairness to genuine homebuyers.