Prayagraj: Preliminary findings of the ongoing Census-2027 exercise have revealed significant demographic and housing growth in Prayagraj over the past 15 years. According to data collected during the first phase of the census, the district now has approximately 12.12 lakh houses and an estimated population of 71.10 lakh, marking a sharp rise from the figures recorded in the 2011 Census.The 2011 Census had documented around 9.68 lakh houses and a population of 59.59 lakh in the district. The latest figures indicate that nearly 2.5 lakh houses have been added during the intervening period, while the population has increased by more than 12 lakh residents. The growth reflects the rapid urban expansion and increasing residential development witnessed across the Sangam City and its adjoining rural areas.The first phase of Census-2027 began with a self-enumeration exercise conducted between May 5 and May 20, in which nearly 49,000 residents participated. Following this, house listing and enumeration work commenced on May 21. Officials said that by Tuesday evening, the counting of houses had been virtually completed across the district.Only a few House Listing Blocks (HLBs) were pending in the Municipal Corporation area and Soraon tehsil, and these have now also been covered. As a result, the exercise has successfully enumerated around 12.12 lakh houses, yielding an estimated resident population of about 71.10 lakh.However, census authorities pointed out that the current figures are still provisional. The enumeration of nomadic families, people living around monasteries and temples, homeless individuals residing on roadsides or outside railway stations, and residents of military establishments is yet to be undertaken. Once these groups are counted, officials expect the district’s population to rise further and potentially reach between 72 lakh and 73 lakh.Chief Census Officer and District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said, “ The administration will now focus on verification, scrutiny and review of the collected information before moving to the next stage of Census-2027”.
