UP Cabinet Clears ₹7,488 Crore Expressway Linking Agra-Lucknow and Ganga Corridors

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved a new expressway project to link the Agra-Lucknow Expressway with the Ganga Expressway. This 90-kilometre route will start in Etawah and connect to Hardoi via Farrukhabad. The project, estimated at Rs 7,488.74 crore, aims for completion in 548 days. The construction agency will maintain it for five years, enhancing traffic flow and economic growth.

In addition to infrastructure development, the Cabinet has introduced measures to support families during festive seasons. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 18.6 million families will receive two free LPG cylinders during Holi and Diwali. This initiative aims to provide relief to economically disadvantaged women across the state.

Focus on Agriculture

A paddy procurement policy has been announced for the Kharif year 2025-26 under the Price Enhancement Scheme. Paddy procurement in Western Uttar Pradesh will occur from October 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, and in Eastern Uttar Pradesh from October 15, 2025, to February 28, 2026. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for common paddy is now Rs 2,369 per quintal.

The Cabinet also approved a procurement policy for coarse grains effective from October 1 to December 31, 2025. Maize will be bought at Rs 2,400 per quintal in districts like Bulandshahr and Badaun. Bajra's purchase price is set at Rs 2,775 per quintal across districts including Agra and Mathura.

Boosting Education and Employment

Uttar Pradesh's Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay highlighted improvements in higher education quality since Yogi Adityanath's government took office. The state is becoming a hub for higher education with Letters of Intent granted to three private universities: Thakur Yuvraj Singh University in Fatehpur; Gandhi University in Jhansi; and Radha Govind University in Chadausi.

The Sant Kabir Textile and Apparel Park Scheme was also approved by the Cabinet. Each park will cover 50 acres and provide jobs for over 1,500 people per park. This initiative aims to bolster employment opportunities while strengthening the textile industry within the region.

To facilitate paddy procurement, a target of six million metric tonnes has been set with operational centres increased by an additional 700 locations as directed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. These centres are equipped with moisture-measuring devices and electronic weighing machines for farmers' convenience.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath saw approval of a total of 22 proposals aimed at boosting infrastructure and economic development across Uttar Pradesh.