Uttar Pradesh Pledges Timely Solutions for National Highway Projects

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured the Centre on Monday that any issues hindering national highway projects in the state would be resolved promptly, according to an official statement. During a meeting to review these projects, he also committed to providing departmental land free of charge for highway expansion.

Adityanath presented a list of requirements related to national highways in Uttar Pradesh to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. He guaranteed that land acquisition and compensation distribution processes would be completed within the stipulated time frame.

Expansion and Development Plans

The chief minister highlighted that the expansion of national highways in Uttar Pradesh will continue without interruption. In 2017, the state had 48 national highways covering 8,364 kilometres. By 2024, this number increased to 93 highways spanning 12,733 kilometres.

Despite this growth, Adityanath noted that the state still falls below the national average of 11.77 kilometres per lakh population. To meet this average, an additional 11,500 kilometres of national highways need to be constructed.

Key Projects and Deadlines

Adityanath emphasised the importance of completing projects related to the Mahakumbh event scheduled for 2025, including the Prayagraj Ring Road by December 2024. He also stressed the need to finish the Varanasi Ring Road Ganga Bridge and open it for traffic as soon as possible.

The chief minister pointed out that Varanasi, Mathura, and Ayodhya are major tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh with a growing number of visitors. He underscored the necessity of completing infrastructure projects in these areas to accommodate increasing tourism.

Additional Infrastructure Requirements

Adityanath called for the Braj 84 Kosi Parikrama route to be declared a national highway and advocated for strengthening the Ayodhya bypass. He mentioned that ring roads in 13 out of 18 divisions in the state are either under construction or completed.

However, he noted that ring roads still need to be built in five divisions: Aligarh, Devipatan, Jhansi, Mirzapur, and Saharanpur. These developments are crucial for improving connectivity and easing traffic congestion in these regions.

The chief minister's assurances aim to ensure timely completion of national highway projects and address any challenges that may arise during their execution. This commitment is expected to facilitate smoother transportation and boost economic growth in Uttar Pradesh.