BK Singh
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh – Land once earmarked by mafia don-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed for his grand “Alina City” project is now being transformed into affordable housing for the underprivileged. What was once a dream of luxury and wealth has today become a beacon of hope for poor families in Prayagraj.
The PDA is working on the plan. Atiq had acquired this vast stretch of land on the strength of his muscle power and also his proximity to the Samajwadi Party. It’s a well-known fact that the slain Gangster had terrorised people to such an extent that some of them decided never to return to their land.
The story rewinds to the year 2006. Under Atiq’s terror game, some flats had also started coming up on this vast stretch of 500 bigha land. The don had also planned another project near the Sasur Khaderi river. He had named it Ahmad City.
But Atiq’s plan crashed during the BSP regime, and PDA officials, along with a large police force, reached the site and dismantled those structures that were coming up in Alina City.
Since then, the place had turned into a small jungle till Atiq and his brother Ashraf’s death.
Work will begin for the colony of the poor after the PDA gets its final nod from the state government, said sources in the PDA with complete knowledge of what has been going on in the corridors of power
From Mafia’s Dream to People’s Homes
Atiq Ahmed had envisioned a lavish township named Alina City on the land near the Sasur Khaderi river, but his plans never materialized. Instead, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) has now planned the seized property into a housing project for the economically weaker sections.
Alina City – A 17-Year-Old Story
The concept of Alina City dates back to before 2008, when Atiq Ahmed had proposed to develop a modern township in the area. However, his illegal activities, police action, and changing political scenarios ensured that the project never saw the light of day. For nearly two decades, the land remained a symbol of unfulfilled ambitions and mafia dominance—until it was finally reclaimed by the state.
Details of the Housing Scheme in Lukerganj, Freed From Possession of Atiq AhmadOn.On which Construction Has Already Been Made, a nd CM Yoghanded Over The Dwellings To the Poor in 2023 By The CM
The foundation for this ambitious project was laid in December 2021, and by May 2022, construction began on the land reclaimed from Atiq’s illegal possession. Today, the once mafia-controlled site has been transformed into a hub of government-led urban development.
- The PDA has constructed two multi-storey buildings (Ground + 3 floors).
- A total of 76 flats (36 in Block A and 40 in Block B) have been built.
- Each flat covers around 41 square meters, providing two rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and other essential facilities.
- The housing has been developed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for low-income groups.
- The total project cost is around ₹6 lakh per flat, but due to central and state subsidies, beneficiaries will pay just ₹3.5 lakh.
Allocation to the Poor
When the scheme was announced, over 6,000 people applied for the flats. After strict scrutiny by the District Urban Development Authority (DUDA), around 1,590 applicants were found eligible. Through a lottery draw system, the final list of allottees was prepared to ensure transparency.
On June 30, 2023, CM Yogi Adityanath personally handed over keys to the beneficiaries, marking the official transfer of homes.
Symbolism & Wider Impact
This initiative represents much more than just housing:
- Reclaiming Mafia Land – Property once controlled by a gangster is now serving society.
- Social Justice – The poor are being given homes on land that once symbolized fear and crime.
- Urban Renewal – The project is part of Prayagraj’s broader push towards modern, inclusive development.
For residents, the flats are not just brick and mortar but a dream fulfilled—a dignified home at an affordable cost.
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