Gadkari and Adityanath Discuss Road Infrastructure for Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari convened a meeting to assess road infrastructure projects in the state. The focus was on preparations for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj next year. Key projects include widening the Raebareli-Prayagraj highway, constructing bypasses, and developing a six-lane bridge over the Ganga at Phaphamau.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, scheduled from January 13 to February 26, is anticipated to attract over 43 crore pilgrims. Both leaders stressed the importance of completing all projects by December 25, 2024. They emphasised adherence to quality and safety standards, according to a statement from the Uttar Pradesh government.

Infrastructure Enhancements for Maha Kumbh

Adityanath described the Maha Kumbh as a significant event showcasing India's religious and cultural heritage. He expects millions of devotees and tourists to attend. To support this influx, he directed officials to install CCTV cameras, streetlights, and safety measures along key highways. Additional facilities like ambulances and medical assistance posts are also prioritised.

Gadkari outlined a broader plan for road development in Uttar Pradesh, discussing proposals worth Rs 1.39 lakh crore. This includes strengthening NH-530B in Bareilly, constructing a bypass at Pratapgarh, upgrading the Prayagraj-Dohri Ghat road to four lanes, and completing the Barabanki-Jarwal-Bahraich road NH-927.

Progress on Key Road Projects

The state government reported that advanced stages of projects include the Shamli-Gorakhpur and Aligarh-Moradabad-Bijnor corridors. Bids have been secured for these initiatives. Connectivity improvements such as the Ayodhya Utraula-Prayagraj and Prayagraj-Varanasi-Ara-Patna corridors are underway.

Feasibility studies and detailed project reports (DPRs) for other routes like Gorakhpur-Jamania-Saidraja and Gorakhpur-Kishanganj-Siliguri corridors are progressing. Adityanath urged expedited land acquisition and approvals for upcoming projects while focusing on reducing road accident risks through coordinated efforts.

Bypass Construction and Highway Upgrades

Both leaders explored proposals for bypass construction in 10 districts and enhancing existing highways like Lucknow-Gorakhpur, Banda-Kanpur, and Gorakhpur-Varanasi routes. The meeting included state Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, senior officials from both state and central governments, and representatives from NHAI and PWD.

Officials noted that two out of four bypasses on National Highway-30 Rae Bareli to Prayagraj section at Jagatpur, Babuganj, Unchahar, and Alapur have been completed. The remaining two are on track for timely completion. Construction of the Pratapgarh bypass (10.98 km) and Jasra bypass (5.10 km) is crucial for improving traffic flow.

Emergency Response Measures

The chief minister instructed that ambulances and recovery vehicles be stationed every 20 km on national highways for rapid emergency response. He also called for integrating nearby hospitals with an incident management system to enhance road safety and emergency handling.

Additional measures include installing extra lighting at key highway points and providing more toilet facilities at toll plazas on Maha Kumbh routes. Adityanath also emphasised repairing major highways like Lucknow-Gorakhpur, Banda-Kanpur, and Gorakhpur-Varanasi to ensure smooth travel for pilgrims.

Gadkari directed officials to develop proposals for bypasses in 10 additional districts including Auraiya, Bulandshahr, Mainpuri, Bahraich, Baghpat, Bhadohi, Sambhal, Kaushambi, Chandauli, and Shravasti. He also instructed them to prepare DPRs for new corridors like Gorakhpur-Shamli and Kanpur-Ghaziabad routes.

Bypasses are operational in 53 districts with ongoing work in eight more districts. Senior officials reported progress on Shamli-Gorakhpur and Aligarh-Moradabad-Bijnor corridors with received bids. Connectivity improvements between Ayodhya Utraula-Prayagraj and Prayagraj-Varanasi-Ara-Patna corridor were highlighted with DPR preparations underway for Gorakhpur-Jamania-Saidraja and Gorakhpur-Kishangarh-Siliguri routes.