Defence Minister and Chief Minister perform foundation laying and Bhoomi Pujan for 12 development projects worth Rs 101 crore to develop Lucknow Cantonment as a model cantonment
Uttar Pradesh has undertaken a new journey of security and good governance in 9 years: Chief Minister
CM narrates the story of Lucknow’s transformation, says Atal Ji’s dreams were realised under the leadership of MP Rajnath Singh
Lucknow Cantonment Board will become an important centre of development and public amenities by becoming an ‘ideal’ model: CM Yogi
Lucknow, August 2026 : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “We will succeed in making the Gomti River clean by the end of this year. The Army’s Central Command has extended full cooperation to the state government for ensuring the uninterrupted flow and cleanliness of the Gomti River, enabling the initiative to progress on a war footing.”
He added, “Under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister, Uttar Pradesh has undertaken a new journey of security and good governance in the past nine years. Twenty years ago, there used to be a board at the railway station in the capital that read, ‘Muskuraiye aap Lucknow mein hain,’ but upon seeing the traffic jams, narrow lanes and filth, people were compelled to cry rather than smile. However, Lucknow has now created a new identity as a modern smart city while preserving its old heritage.”
On Sunday, the Chief Minister, along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, performed the foundation laying and Bhoomi Pujan of 12 development projects worth Rs 101 crore. The objective of these projects is to develop Lucknow Cantonment as a model cantonment. The CM expressed confidence that the Lucknow Cantonment Board would become an important centre of development and public amenities by becoming an “ideal” model. He asserted that it would move forward in achieving the goal of “Ease of Living.”
The CM stated, “This Cantonment Board would be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring that military personnel, ex-servicemen and civilians receive every important service here. In the changing environment, these facilities were needed in Lucknow, and they are being made available through Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Ministry of Defence.”
The Chief Minister further remarked, “Under the leadership of Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh Ji, Atal Ji’s dreams have been realised. Lucknow has narrow lanes, but it also has the smart roads of the CM Grid. It also has an outer ring road like Kisan Path. On one hand, it possesses the heritage of the memorials of Uda Devi Pasi and Maharaja Bijli Pasi, while on the other, Lucknow has also emerged as a centre for modern missiles like BrahMos from the perspective of India’s defence requirements and self-reliance. It has the remarkable Chikankari craftsmanship of its artisans, and UNESCO has elevated Lucknow to new heights by recognising it as a ‘Creative City of Gastronomy.’”
CM Yogi said, “Before 2017, the state faced a crisis of identity, deprivation, anarchy, disorder and disturbances. Today, the state has overcome all of these challenges. We have made efforts over the past nine years to give Uttar Pradesh a new direction. UP is now playing its role as a growth engine by becoming a breakthrough force in India’s economy. Six Defence Manufacturing Corridors are also being established in UP to strengthen India’s self-reliance.”
The Chief Minister added, “Uttar Pradesh is now also known for its infrastructure. Of all the expressways in the country, 60 percent are in UP. The state has the largest railway network and the highest number of metro systems.”
Thanking the Defence Minister for securing approval from the Government of India for the second phase of the Metro project, the CM stated, “This work is also set to move forward very soon. UP has the country’s first Rapid Rail, the first waterway and the largest air connectivity network. Seventeen domestic and five international airports are operational here. Air connectivity from UP is available to all regions of the country and the world.”
CM Yogi highlighted, “Uttar Pradesh has always held a leading position in the services of the armed forces. The tradition of Sainik Schools in the country was initiated in UP by Dr Sampurnanand. Several Sainik Schools established in UP are preparing young people who will contribute to meeting both present and future security requirements of India. Officers and soldiers of our armed forces continuously protect India round the clock. Earlier, a lack of funds came in the way of providing facilities for them, but that is no longer the case.”
On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun, Minister of Vocational Education Kapildev Aggarwal, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, Rajya Sabha MPs Dr Dinesh Sharma and Sanjay Seth, Legislative Council Members Lalji Prasad Nirmal, Ramchandra Pradhan and Mukesh Sharma, MLAs Dr Neeraj Bora and O.P. Srivastava, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Central Command) Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, Director General of the Indian Defence Estates Service Shobha Gupta and others were present.
