Navprayagam to be developed soon

ALLAHABAD: Good news awaits over a thousand allottees of the Navprayagam Scheme (Naini) of Allahabad Development Authority. A decision to complete the formalities for registry of the land in favour of the ADA has been made by the Allahabad Municipal Corporation. Now, the proceedings to develop the area may begin after May 16, when the model code of conduct would be lifted following the end of the Lok Sabha elections.
The municipal corporation has decided to fulfil the land registry formalities of Navprayagam Scheme by March 18, this year.ADA vice-chairman JP Singh spoke on various issues pertaining to the ADA and stated that after the general elections are over, scores of development schemes would be put in place which could be a step towards bringing Allahabad at par with other developed cities in the state.
Pointedly, the ADA had given Rs 12 crore to the municipal corporation way back in 2005 as cost of land which belonged to AMC. Thereafter, the ADA procured stamp papers worth Rs 75 lakh for completion of formalities. However, owing to reluctance on the part of AMC over transferring a portion of land to ADA, the registry could not materialise, even as the ADA allotted plots to individuals, acknowledged Singh, under whose stewardship the scheme got materialised.
After some time, allottees started smelling rat and began approaching ADA authorities seeking refund of their money. The ADA officials were at pains to come out with a solution to the vexed problem. One of the allottees, who happens to be an elderly woman, in a letter to ADA V-C, sought refund of her money as she claimed that she had been paying interest against the loan she had procured. There were scores of other aggrieved persons who want that either the matter be resolved or the money refunded.
Admitting that illegal construction had assumed alarming proportions, the V-C felt that a considerable change can be brought about in the situation by implementing a rule. Henceforth, it has been made mandatory for builders and promoters of group housing schemes to obtain a completion certificate before the accommodation is sold or rented out. For obtaining a completion certificate, the builders would have to submit an application with the ADA, after which a survey would be conducted. Clearance would be given after the survey. This would result in purchasers having no qualms in going in for the accommodation and apply for a loan from the banks. ���The decision would be of immense help to the common man intending to purchase flats either for investment or residing purpose,��� Singh said.
In addition, he said that notices had been issued to building owners who had flouted norms and a survey would be conducted to ascertain the compoundable area while the remaining would be demolished.
Over 244 property owners, despite depositing full money for the property, have failed to turn up for the registry formalities. With a view to verify the credentials of these property owners, the ADA has served notices, informing that a special camp would be organised for completion of registry formalities on April 7, 16, 24 and 31. The money of the persons failing to to turn up would be forfeited.
A fairly large number of people residing in areas outside the municipal limits are under the impression that their houses/commercial complexes are not under the jurisdiction of the ADA and hence the requirement of having a map approved did not exist. However, the V-C clarified that boundaries of the Allahabad Municipal Corporation and ADA differed in terms of extent and coverage. As of now, over 132 villages in the district were under the ADA and hence all norms were applicable upon them as well.
After a division bench of the Allahabad High Court struck down a state government order making it mandatory for constructions to be in excess of 200 square metres for seeking a clearance of ADA, the authorities have begun sanctioning maps. Given the escalation in prices of land, not every property owner is in a position to purchase land in excess of 200 square metres. ���The relief granted by the high court has proved to be a boon for small plot owners intending to construct their homes,��� Singh said.
With a view to facilitate loans for construction of houses, the ADA has decided to provide a single window scheme. Under the plan, representatives of various banks would be present at one spot and intimate the interested parties about the formalities to be completed before sanctioning of the loan. Since, the property would already have the approval of ADA, there would be no hassles in banks sanctioning the loans. ���In addition, the ADA has also come up with a single point office on the seventh floor wherein maps of houses being constructed in plots of land provided by ADA shall be cleared on the third day of being deposited,��� Singh stated.