AMN / Shahjahanpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of the longest expressway of Uttar Pradesh Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur district.
Addressing a large gathering at the Roza ground after the inauguration function, Prime Minister said that the Ganga expressway will open new avenues of development to the region and for Jawan and Kisan of Uttar Pradesh this will be an expressway of infinite opportunities.
PM said that New development projects going on or completed in UP are a bunch of boons to the state. The Ganga Expressway will open new doors of progress for Uttar Pradesh. It will not only bring the eastern and western parts of the state close but also reduce the travel time between Delhi and Bihar.
Prime Minister said that, High-speed connectivity is necessary for the development of any state and that is why Ganga Expressway will give power and mobility to UP. It will get help from the PM Gati Shakti master plan.
Mr Modi said that the double engine government is focusing on the development of UP with the Mantra of Sabka Sath. sabka Vikas, Sakba Vishwas and Sabka prayas. Now there is no discrimination in providing facilities to the people. He said that Our government is working day and night for the upliftment of poor people and giving them basic facilities like houses, gas and power connection. 50 thousand people got their own home under PM Awas in Shahjahanpur only. Rupees 2 lakh crores have been sanctioned for making houses for the poor in the country.
Talking about the works done by his government for the Farmers PM Modi said that his government has made policies related to agriculture while keeping in mind the welfare of the farmers of the nation and small farmers in particular.
The government is now focusing on improving infrastructure related to agriculture which will not only increase facilities related to farming but also develop the market along with the villages.
Mr Modi took a dig on the previous governments and talked about the poor law and order and corruption during their tenure. He said that Earlier such projects were designed with the purpose of corruption. PM also raised the issue of migration to people due to poor law and order.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on the occasion that it will not only connect the cities but also the hearts of the people of the state. It will make the travel between Meerut and Prayagraj convenient. He said that the inspiration behind the Expressway is the vision of the Prime Minister to provide fast-paced connectivity across the country.
The 594 Km long six-lane Expressway will be built at a cost of over Rs 36,200 crore. Starting near the Bijauli village in Meerut, the Expressway will extend till near the Judapur Dandu village in Prayagraj. It will pass through Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, RaeBareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj districts. Upon completion of work, it will become the longest expressway of Uttar Pradesh, connecting the western and eastern regions of the state.
The journey from Meerut to Prayagraj which otherwise takes 13 to 14 hours can be covered in 6 to 7 hours after completion of the Ganga expressway.
A 3.5 Km long airstrip for assisting emergency take-off and landing of Air Force planes will also be constructed on the Expressway in Shahjahanpur. An industrial corridor is also proposed to be built along the Expressway. The Expressway will also give a fillip to multiple sectors including industrial development, trade, agriculture and tourism. It will provide a big boost to the socio-economic development of the region.
Our correspondent reports that This is the fourth expressway in the state in last five years which is either complete or under construction.
Seven Railway overbridges, 14 big bridges, 126 small bridges, 375 underpasses, 9 public utility centres, 2 toll plaza and 15 Ramp Toll plazas are proposed on the expressway. The interchange facility will be available on 17 places on the expressway. More than 18.5 lakh saplings will be planted on the both sides of the expressway to give it a more greener look.
The expressway will help in better transportation of agriculture and dairy farm products. It will give impetus to the growth of the Ruhelkhanda region in general and particularly the Shahjahanpur district which is otherwise less developed but has one of the largest foodgrain mandi of state and its Powayan tehsil is the most productive sub-division of the state. State government is working on this ambitious project in a swift manner. 94 percent of the land required for the expressway has been acquired by the state government and despite of the covid pandemic 90 percent of the land purchase completed in the record four months period.