Mafia and riots are history, development is UP’s new identity: CM Yogi

Gorakhpur : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that before 2017, some groups divided society on caste and religious lines for personal gain, even fueling riots. In contrast, under the double-engine government, Uttar Pradesh has remained free from mafia, goons, and riots for the past eight years and is now recognized for its development and progress.

The CM was addressing the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony for projects worth Rs 1,500 crore at Manbela ground in Gorakhpur on Saturday. “There is no substitute for development,” CM Yogi said. “Those who can’t deliver progress resort to dividing society on the lines of caste, religion, or region. When in power, they prioritize their own families over public welfare.”

The Chief Minister gave a major boost to Gorakhpur’s development by inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 146 development projects worth around Rs 1,500 crore. These projects cover key sectors including road connectivity, sewage systems, healthcare, and tourism.

CM Yogi reminded people of the situation in India before 2014 and in Uttar Pradesh before 2017. He said: “The country was drowning in corruption and youth were directionless. Naxalism and terrorism posed serious threats to national security. But under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership over the past ten years, India has transformed—moving forward with a clear vision, strengthening both heritage and development.”

Highlighting the transformation of Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister said the state is now a shining example of new India. In the last eight years, major changes have taken place. Farmers are being respected, women are feeling safer, traders are doing business without fear, and youth are getting employment opportunities. “Every district of UP is progressing,” CM Yogi said, adding that girls and women can now safely go to schools, colleges, and markets.

CM Yogi recalled a time when children from the Musahar community died of hunger in eastern UP and farmers in Bundelkhand were driven to suicide. He said earlier governments ignored these crises, choosing instead to divide society along caste, religion, and regional lines—often fueling riots and then playing both sides.

The Chief Minister said, “It has been eight years since a single riot took place in UP. Today, the state is focused on inclusive development. Uttar Pradesh is now free from mafias and criminals, and focused on transformative initiatives like One District One Product (ODOP) and One District One Medical College.”

He also highlighted the distribution of two crore smartphones and tablets to empower the youth. The Chief Minister highlighted that for artisans and craftsmen, the government is running schemes like ODOP and Vishwakarma Shram Samman. Street vendors are being supported through the PM SVANidhi Yojana to help them become self-reliant. “No one in Uttar Pradesh will die of hunger,” the CM said, adding that over 15 crore people in the state are receiving free ration.

The Chief Minister further stated that his government is steadily moving towards achieving the goal of zero poverty in Uttar Pradesh. To reach the most vulnerable and left-out families, the government is conducting a comprehensive survey to identify those who, for various reasons, have not benefited from government schemes. Once identified, these families will be provided with the benefits of multiple welfare schemes on a single day, in the presence of public representatives.

“Under this initiative, around 15 lakh families will be given access to housing under the PM Awas Yojana, health coverage through Ayushman Bharat, and will be issued ration cards. Those in need of pensions will be enrolled in relevant pension schemes, and unemployed youth from these families will be connected with local employment opportunities,” he added.

Appealing to citizens, the Chief Minister urged people not to cause unnecessary damage to development projects. “The money being used for development does not belong to me. It is the money of 25 crore people of the state, and it should not be misused,” he said. He also highlighted the role of public representatives in ensuring that all development work maintains high quality and is completed on time.

Praising the people of Gorakhpur, CM Yogi said they have always supported development and never created hurdles in progress.

He cited examples such as the revival of the Gorakhpur Fertilizer Plant, the establishment of AIIMS, the reopening of the Pipraich sugar mill, and the beautification of Ramgarh Tal, which he said now rivals Dal Lake.

He also mentioned the setting up of large industries in the GIDA region, the opening of a super specialty center at BRD Medical College, the launch of a Sainik School, the foundation of an AYUSH University, and the construction of a link expressway.

“Once, these things seemed unimaginable. Today, they are a reality,” said the Chief Minister, noting that Gorakhpur, once plagued by power shortages, now enjoys uninterrupted electricity, and the newly built four-lane roads around the city have significantly improved travel time.

He also pointed out that Gorakhpur is now connected to 14 flight services, reflecting its rising connectivity and infrastructure development.

Among those present included, MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava, MLAs Fateh Bahadur Singh, Rajesh Tripathi, Shri Ram Chauhan, Vipin Singh, Mahenderpal Singh, Pradeep Shukla, BJP District President Janardan Tiwari, and Metropolitan President Devesh Srivastava.

During the ceremony, CM Yogi distributed benefits to beneficiaries of various state schemes. These included laptops under the Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana, appointment letters for new Anganwadi workers, Ayushman cards, loan cheques under the Yuva Udyami Abhiyan, house keys for PM Awas Yojana recipients, agricultural certificates, and tablets under the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme.

Before addressing the gathering, CM Yogi visited departmental stalls at the exhibition near the stage, reviewing the schemes and their impact on the public.

Major projects inaugurated by CM Yogi

51 projects from various departments including Public Works Department (PWD) Block 2 & 3, Rural Engineering Department, C&DS Unit-14, UP Jal Nigam Urban, UPRNSS Block 1, UPPCL, and UPSIDCO, with a total cost of Rs 436 crore 99 lakh 71 thousand.

Foundation laying of major projects by CM Yogi

95 projects from departments such as Public Works Department (PWD) Block 2 & 3, Provincial Block, Building Block, UP State Bridge Corporation, Rural Engineering Department, C&DS Unit-14 & 42, UPRNSS Block 1, UPPCL, UPSIDCO, and Uttar Pradesh Government Construction Corporation, with a total cost of Rs 1060 crore 98 lakh 83 thousand.

Noteworthy development gifts

• Inauguration of widening and strengthening work in the four-lane Ramgarhtal project internal route (from Naukayan to Deoria bypass Shiva temple and Commercial Tax Bhawan), costing Rs 67 crore 34 lakh 88 thousand.
• Inauguration of the widening and strengthening work of Kaudiram-Gajpur road, costing Rs 30 crore 52 lakh 65 thousand.
• Inauguration of the building of 50-bed joint hospital in Bansgaon, costing Rs 13 crore 89 lakh 58 thousand.
• Inauguration of Gorakhpur Sewerage Scheme Zone C-2 (Part I) under AMRUT Yojana Program, costing Rs 223 crore 85 lakh 75 thousand.
• Inauguration of the mini stadium in the premises of Bholaram Maskara Inter College located in Sahjanwa, costing Rs 10 crore 43 lakh 75 thousand.
• Foundation laying for the construction work of the Collectorate Bhawan, costing Rs 304 crore 39 lakh 8 thousand*
• Foundation stone laid for widening and strengthening work of Bhiti-Bansgaon-Gola road, costing Rs 81 crore 1 lakh 11 thousand.
• Foundation stone laid for the widening and strengthening work of Shankarpur-Kamhariyaghat road, costing Rs 17 crore 23 lakh 6 thousand.
• Foundation stone laying for the widening and strengthening work of Ekla road via Harraiya, Bhilaura, Pevanpur, Ahirauli, Chhapiya, Talanwar, costing Rs 24 crore 84 lakh 89 thousand.
• Foundation stone laying for road widening and strengthening work from Jagdishpur Saraiya block to Deoria four-lane, costing Rs 24 crore 83 lakh 92 thousand.
• Foundation stone laying for widening and strengthening work of Bhathat, Bailon, Pipraich road, costing Rs 14 crore 70 lakh 96 thousand.
• Foundation stone of rail overbridge on Rehmat Nagar Madhavpur Road of Jagatbela-Domingarh railway section, costing Rs 132 crore 60 lakh 78 thousand rupees.
• Foundation stone for long bridge, approach road, additional approach road and protective work on Bairiyakhas Rapti river, costing Rs 71 crore 69 lakh 20 thousand.
• Foundation stone laid for major improvement and expansion work in the district hospital, costing Rs 21 crore 96 lakh 28 thousand.
• Foundation stone laid for the work of converting Trauma Center Level 2 to Level 1 in BRD Medical College, costing Rs 38 crore 1 lakh 15 thousand.
• Foundation stone laid for the construction of Bhajan Sandhya Sthal in the urban area, costing Rs 12 crore 94 lakh 80 thousand.