Jewar International Airport to also become operational soon

Lucknow : While discussing the supplementary budget in the assembly on Thursday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to align with the Prime Minister’s vision of a $5 trillion national economy.

He said, “As the country’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh is responsible for matching and contributing to this growth. To achieve this, the state has set a goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy, with the current budget being a part of this initiative.”

He added, “A comprehensive roadmap has been prepared, dividing the state’s departments into ten key sectors, each overseen by a senior minister and monitored by Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries. The government is engaging experts, economists, and stakeholders to ensure targeted growth, and the progress is being regularly reviewed through the Chief Minister’s dashboard to identify areas needing additional focus and support.”

He highlighted the critical role of infrastructure in developing the ten key sectors identified for Uttar Pradesh’s growth. The state has established an extensive network of expressways and highways, enhancing interstate connectivity. This includes the existing Yamuna Expressway and the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, which was nearing completion in 2017 when the current government took office.

Over the past seven years, significant infrastructure projects have been completed with cooperation from both the state and central governments. These projects include the Delhi Meerut Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, and Delhi Agra Expressway.

The supplementary budget includes funding for the Ganga Expressway to complete its main carriageway by December 2024, ahead of the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh in 2025. This project aims to provide a seamless connection between Western and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Additionally, work is progressing on the Chitrakoot Link Expressway, Gorakhpur Link Expressway, and Ballia Link Expressway. A new expressway is also being planned to connect the Agra-Lucknow Expressway with Shahjahanpur and Farrukhabad, as well as completed surveys.

The government is also working to connect the Purvanchal Expressway with the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and enhance interstate connectivity by upgrading to four-lane roads, making Uttar Pradesh more accessible to visitors. Preparations are underway for the India-Nepal Friendship Gate on the Nepal border, symbolizing a warm welcome to visitors in cooperation with neighboring states.

The CM stated, “Efforts are underway to connect every district and tehsil headquarters with four-lane roads and block headquarters with two-lane roads, ensuring world-class highways throughout the state. A Greenfield Expressway is being constructed between Lucknow and Kanpur. Additionally, significant progress has been made in enhancing air connectivity in Uttar Pradesh. Currently, the state has four operational international airports and 11 domestic airports. Jewar Airport, soon to become the fifth international airport, is set to be one of the largest in Asia, significantly boosting the state’s economy.”

He added, “The state is also developing its waterways infrastructure. The Varanasi-Haldia waterway is already operational, and surveys for a new waterway between Ayodhya and Haldia are underway. Uttar Pradesh has established a Waterway Authority to accelerate the development of water-based transport options.”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced plans to establish the BIDA (Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority) in Bundelkhand, with construction underway on 36,000 acres of land. This initiative aims to create a new industrial city akin to Noida, revitalizing the Bundelkhand region after 46 years.

The state has also launched the Rapid Rail service between Delhi and Meerut, significantly reducing travel time from three and a half to four hours to 40 to 45 minutes, thanks to a 12-lane expressway and the new rail service.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “Alongside the FDI policy, 27 sector-specific policies have been implemented regarding the government’s efforts in the manufacturing sector. Since last year, the state has organized international trade shows to market and brand MSME products. The ODOP (One District, One Product) initiative has also been launched to promote traditional products. Artisans are receiving training under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana and Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana. These artisans are supported through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and Mukhyamantri Swarojgar Yojana, helping them achieve economic self-reliance.”

He added, “To further boost industrial development, the government has approved the establishment of 11 Pledge Parks, enabling the creation of industrial parks in the private sector. A new scheme for ready-made garments has also been introduced, and the PM Shri Textile Park, covering approximately 1,000 acres, is being constructed between Lucknow and Hardoi. This park will feature state-of-the-art textile technology.”

He noted that the ODOP scheme, which lacked branding and incentives before 2017, has been revitalized under the current government. As a result, Uttar Pradesh’s exports have surged from 86,000 crore rupees to over 2 lakh crore rupees, indicating significant progress in the right direction.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated, “The Global Investors Summit in February 2023 attracted investment proposals worth over Rs 40 lakh crore. These investments could create employment for more than 1.25 crore youth. In February 2024, a groundbreaking ceremony was held where the foundation stones for projects worth Rs 10 lakh crore were laid. Over the past seven years, the state has successfully brought investment proposals worth approximately Rs 16 to 20 lakh crore, creating employment opportunities for more than 60 lakh youth.”

He added, “Since the groundbreaking ceremony, projects worth over Rs 1 lakh crore have commenced production, indicating significant progress in ease of business and entrepreneurs’ positive response. This development is helping to advance employment prospects for the state’s youth. The state also positions itself as a data center hub, with Lucknow being developed as an AI city. The Uttar Pradesh Innovation Fund is being established to foster innovation.”

The supplementary budget includes provisions for Wi-Fi facilities in government offices and Gram Panchayats, the development of an e-office system, and incentives for investors under the new industrial policy.