Extending expressway coverage is necessary for better connectivity: Chief Minister
CM Yogi seeks proposal for four new link expressways, directs officials to prepare detailed action plan after conducting a study
Lucknow, June 27: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the progress of ongoing and new expressway projects in the state and the development of the industrial and defence corridors at a high-level meeting on Thursday, providing directives to the concerned officials.
Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, unprecedented progress has been made in road infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh over the past seven years. In 2017, the state had only two expressways; today, it boasts six. Additionally, the length of national highways has almost doubled in the same period. Uttar Pradesh is now emerging as the “Expressway State.”
● Ensure that the Ganga Expressway, connecting Meerut to Prayagraj, is completed and open to the public by the upcoming December. This will allow devotees from across the country and worldwide to benefit from the expressway while traveling to the Prayagraj Kumbh in 2025.
● The construction progress of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway is satisfactory. This expressway will provide excellent connectivity for the districts of Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Azamgarh, and Ambedkar Nagar. It’s crucial that we make every effort to ensure the timely completion of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway, as it will bring significant benefits to these districts.
● In alignment with public expectations, the process to connect the Bundelkhand Expressway, which has become the lifeline of Bundelkhand, to Chitrakoot should be expedited. A budget has been allocated for this purpose. This connection will significantly enhance Bundelkhand’s connectivity. Ensuring the quality of work and adherence to project timelines is essential.
● To enhance connectivity, there is a need to expand expressway coverage. A world-class airport is being built in Jewar, and it should be connected to the expressway network. Constructing a link expressway from the Ganga Expressway to Jewar Airport would be appropriate. Similarly, a link expressway should be built from the Agra-Lucknow Expressway to the Purvanchal Expressway, and a new link expressway should connect the Ganga Expressway to the Agra-Lucknow Expressway via Farrukhabad. These new expressways and the Chitrakoot Link Expressway will significantly accelerate the state’s progress. A detailed report should be prepared after conducting a preliminary study. Additionally, saplings should be planted on both sides of all expressways.
● Leading defence product manufacturing companies from India and around the world are investing in the Uttar Pradesh Defense Corridor, which will make the state a hub of defence equipment production. To date, investments in the Defense Corridor have exceeded 24,000 crores. Major companies such as BrahMos Aerospace and Aeroalloy Technology in the Lucknow node, Bharat Dynamics Limited in the Jhansi node, Adani Defence Systems in the Kanpur node, and Amitech Electronics and Anchor Research Limited in the Aligarh node are setting up their units. Immediate decisions should be taken regarding new proposals, and no proposal should be left pending.
● The development of the BioPlastic Park should be accelerated. The land purchase for establishing a BioPlastic Manufacturing Unit in Lakhimpur Kheri needs to be expedited.
● The implementation of investment proposals received during the Global Investors Summit should be continuously reviewed. Whether it concerns land allotment to investors or the matter of payable incentives, there should be no delay. Immediate decisions are required.
● The bylaws of the authorities need to be updated to reflect changing circumstances. The rules should be made more investment-friendly. The land acquisition process for expanding the land bank in Industrial Development Authorities should be expedited.
● Industrial colonies must have improved basic infrastructure facilities. The development authority is responsible for ensuring better provision of amenities such as roads, drainage, sanitation, and water supply in industrial areas.
● There is significant investor interest in developing private parks, and the MSME department has made commendable efforts to facilitate this. Industrial development authorities should swiftly arrange the large land investment tracts required to establish these private parks.
● Following land notification by industrial development authorities, there should be no unnecessary delay in initiating acquisition proceedings. Compensation should be promptly provided to affected farmers.
● Industrial Development Authorities should establish a policy to allocate land from defunct industrial units within their areas to new investors.
● The land acquisition process within the newly established Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) is expected to be accelerated, aiming to elevate Bundelkhand’s development in the state to new heights. Additionally, efforts to expedite the development of the Multimodal Logistics Hub (MMLH) in Dadri and the Multimodal Transport Hub (MMTH) in Boraki should be prioritized.
