Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently reassured the Centre of the timely resolution of any issues in the execution of national highway projects in the state. During a meeting to review the progress of national highway projects, Adityanath emphasized the importance of completing projects related to the Mahakumbh, scheduled for 2025, including the Prayagraj Ring Road by December 2024.
Adityanath also mentioned that in 2017, the state had a total of 48 national highways spanning 8,364 kilometers. However, by 2024, the number had increased to 93 and the length had grown to 12,733 kilometers. Despite this growth, the state still falls below the national average of 11.77 kilometers per lakh population. To meet this average, an additional 11,500 kilometers of national highways need to be constructed.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of Varanasi, Mathura, and Ayodhya as main tourist attractions in the state, with a steady increase in the number of tourists and pilgrims visiting these locations. He stressed the need to complete the remaining work on the Varanasi Ring Road (Ganga Bridge) and open it for traffic as soon as possible.
Furthermore, Adityanath called for the declaration of the ‘Braj 84 Kosi Parikrama’ route as a national highway and urged for the strengthening of the Ayodhya bypass. He mentioned that the construction of ring roads in 13 out of the 18 divisions of the state is either ongoing or completed. It is essential to build ring roads in the remaining five divisions – Aligarh, Devipatan, Jhansi, Mirzapur, and Saharanpur.
In addition to providing departmental land free of charge for the expansion of national highways in Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister assured the central government that any issues related to the implementation of national highways in the state would be resolved promptly. Adityanath mentioned that the process of land acquisition and compensation distribution would be completed within the stipulated time to ensure the smooth progress of these projects.
Overall, Adityanath’s focus on the timely resolution of project issues and the completion of national highway projects in Uttar Pradesh showcases the state’s commitment to infrastructure development and connectivity, which will ultimately benefit the residents and visitors alike.
