All municipal corporations will be developed as solar cities: CM Yogi

Gorakhpur : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday, stated that the government will transform all 17 municipal corporations in the state into solar cities. He said that Ayodhya has been developed as the first solar city with a 6,000-megawatt solar energy capacity, while Bundelkhand is being transformed into a 5,000-megawatt green corridor.

The CM was addressing the closing session of a national conference organized by the municipal corporation as part of the National Clean Air Program (NCAP). The conference, held at a hotel in Gorakhpur, focused on the theme ‘Roadmap to Make Gorakhpur Free from Open Waste Burning by 2027.’ During this, he quoted Mahatma Gandhi, saying “Nature can meet everyone’s needs but cannot satisfy anyone’s greed.”

He mentioned that a combination of technology and public awareness is essential to minimize carbon emissions and protect the environment. Speaking about India’s commitment to sustainability, he highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. He stressed that “to achieve this goal, efforts must be strengthened at both national and local levels.”

The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of public participation in environmental initiatives. “No movement can succeed without the involvement of the people,” he said, urging public representatives to actively engage people in these programs.

He recalled the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, “The consequences of harming nature were evident during COVID. In the second wave, people suffered just like fish struggle when taken out of water.” He warned that human-induced environmental damage will ultimately impact humanity itself.

Discussing the state government’s efforts to cut carbon emissions, CM Yogi highlighted a major energy-saving initiative. “Since 2017, we have replaced 17 lakh halogen streetlights with LED lights across the state, without spending a single rupee,” he said. He explained that halogen lights not only consumed more energy but also contributed significantly to carbon emissions. The transition to LED lights has reduced carbon emissions, saved energy, and helped municipal bodies save Rs 1,000 crore, as the companies installing the LED lights were paid from the energy savings.

The Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to environmental protection, citing the ban on single-use plastic as a key step. To provide an eco-friendly alternative and support traditional artisans, the government implemented the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana, promoting clay products. Under this scheme, potters were given electric and solar-powered wheels, which not only reduced plastic waste but also created new employment opportunities.

He also highlighted that the foundation stone has been laid of a plant in Lakhimpur that will manufacture products from banana fiber, which decompose naturally within three months.

Discussing afforestation efforts, CM Yogi highlighted the success of Uttar Pradesh’s tree plantation drive, which has resulted in the planting of 210 crore trees over the past eight years, with a survival rate of 70-75%. He noted that despite rapid population growth, infrastructure expansion, and industrial development, the state’s forest cover continues to increase. Urging people to plant trees near their homes, he stated, “Trees bring life to our homes, and by staying close to nature, we can experience true spiritual fulfillment.”

Focusing on renewable energy, the Chief Minister reiterated the state’s goal of producing 22,000 megawatts of clean energy and announced plans to develop all 17 municipal corporations as solar cities. He also emphasized the importance of reducing indoor pollution, stating that earlier, villagers relied on firewood, coal, and dung cakes for cooking, which harmed both health and the environment.

“To address this, PM Narendra Modi launched the Ujjwala Yojana, providing LPG gas connections to 10 crore families, improving air quality and public health,” he added. He said that on the occasion of Holi, the government continued the process of providing free LPG cylinders to 1.81 crore families across the state.

He pointed out the harmful effects of stubble burning, which are clearly visible in Delhi-NCR, often leading to Supreme Court intervention. However, in Uttar Pradesh, the state government is using crop residue to produce compressed bio-gas and ethanol instead of burning it. This initiative is also helping farmers earn extra income. A compressed bio-gas plant has been set up in Gorakhpur as part of this effort. He also stated that the government is working on policies to explore the potential of green hydrogen in the state.

During his address, the CM further emphasized the importance of rainwater harvesting and the protection of ponds. He stated that every household should implement rainwater harvesting to improve groundwater levels and revive drying rivers. This would also help maintain humidity in the environment and absorb dust particles. Additionally, he highlighted the need to keep ponds free from encroachments to preserve water bodies.

CM Yogi further highlighted the critical role of rivers in sustaining life. He warned that if rivers dry up, the lifeline of nature will be lost. He urged strict action to prevent pollution and exploitation of rivers, emphasizing that expanding rivers would lead to increased forest cover and greater oxygen reserves.

The Chief Minister mentioned the key factors behind the success of the Prayagraj Mahakumbh, emphasizing that over 66 crore devotees did not come just for a ritual bath but to witness the holy Ganga and Yamuna rivers and take a sacred dip at the Triveni Sangam. He stated, “People can bathe at home, but they travel to Prayagraj to experience the divine presence of the rivers and seek spiritual blessings.”

He stressed that the event’s success depended on cleanliness, proper water flow, and strong connectivity. “If the rivers were polluted, mismanaged, or lacked water, no one would have come,” he said. To ensure a smooth pilgrimage for devotees, the government maintained a steady water flow of 10-12 cusecs in the Ganga and 8-10 cusecs in the Yamuna throughout the Mahakumbh. He added that without these measures, the grand event would have collapsed in its early stages.

The CM praised Gorakhpur as a well-developed city, emphasizing its abundance of water bodies, forests, and land resources. He stated that by utilizing surplus land efficiently, the city could further contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

Reflecting on past challenges, CM Yogi recalled that before 2017, Gorakhpur used to experience waterlogging up to three to four feet. However, with an improved drainage system and a ban on single-use plastic, the situation has transformed, and even after 12 hours of continuous rainfall, waterlogging is no longer an issue.

He further explained how the previous discharge of polluted water into the Rapti River had led to heavy penalties from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the municipal corporation. The present government addressed this issue by adopting a natural water purification method, which eliminated the need for a Rs 110 crore Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and saved an annual maintenance cost of Rs 10 crore. This eco-friendly approach has successfully reduced the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) level from 350 to 8-10, making it a model for water purification.

During the event, CM Yogi also launched a booklet on air quality improvement efforts in Gorakhpur.

Gorakhpur is being appreciated on national platforms: Mayor

Welcoming Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the event, Mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava highlighted Gorakhpur’s significant progress in air quality improvement under the CM’s leadership. He stated that five years ago, Gorakhpur’s AQI was 280, which has now improved to around 100. The city’s efforts to enhance air quality are being recognized at national platforms, and initiatives funded by the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) are driving this transformation.

CM Yogi’s approach is an inspiration for other states: Dr. Bhargav

Dr. Prashant Bhargav, Director of the National Clean Air Program at the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, emphasized the importance of air quality and its impact on public health and the environment. He stressed the need for departmental coordination and collective efforts to achieve further improvements. He shared that out of 131 cities included in the NCAP, 17 are in Uttar Pradesh. Among the 55 cities in India that have recorded over 20% improvement in air quality, 13 are from UP, and 9 UP cities have seen an improvement of over 40%.

Notably, Gorakhpur’s air quality has improved by more than 60%, an achievement he credited to CM Yogi’s visionary leadership, calling it an inspiration for other states.

UP is making great strides under CM Yogi’s leadership: Sridhar Kumaraswami

Sridhar Kumaraswami, Director of WRI India, a key organizing partner of the conference, provided insights into various strategies to control air pollutants. He commended Uttar Pradesh’s remarkable progress in air quality improvement and stated that under CM Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, cities across the state are making exceptional strides in environmental sustainability.

Experts praise Gorakhpur’s air quality improvements, call it a model city in the making

During the closing session of the conference, experts shared their insights on Gorakhpur’s remarkable progress in air quality improvement. Dr. Rajiv Khurana from Lungs Care Foundation stated that he witnessed significant enhancements in the city’s air quality. He highlighted Gorakhpur’s immense tourism potential and emphasized that cleaner air would play a crucial role in boosting tourism and unlocking new opportunities.

Dr. Ravindra from PGI Chandigarh praised Gorakhpur’s achievements in air quality and waste management, stating that the city is on its way to becoming a role model for others.

The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, District Panchayat President Sadhna Singh, MLAs Fateh Bahadur Singh, Shriram Chauhan, Rajesh Tripathi, Vipin Singh, Mahendra Pal Singh, Dr. Vimlesh Paswan, Pradeep Shukla, LLC Dr. Dharmendra Singh, State Women’s Commission Vice President Charu Chaudhary, and former mayors Sitaram Jaiswal, Anju Chaudhary, and Satya Pandey. Also present were BJP Metropolitan President Rajesh Gupta and other key officials.