In the run-up to Urban local body polls: CM launches Rs 8,731 crore urban projects

Stating that local bodies have become the focal point of positive changes being witnessed across the state in the past six years, the chief minister claimed, “Urban local bodies have become the axis of the state’s transformation.”

Assuring sanitation workers of a decent honorarium and a secure environment to work, the chief minister said, “The sanitation workers must get the respect they deserve. In particular, the government will ensure the arrangements for the security of sewers, along with the provision of additional honorarium for them.”

Assuring his government’s commitment for developing urban infrastructure, Adityanath said, “While the government is spending money on the development, countries like Pakistan are struggling for food.”

The chief minister also informed that the government is preparing to launch electric vehicles in selected cities in districts like Sitapur, Unnao, Barabanki, Raebareilly, etc. He also informed that in the past six years, his government formed over 200 municipalities and nagar panchayats in the state.

A government spokesperson said the Urban Development Department has also decided to develop auditoriums in the Mau Municipal Council in memory of freedom fighters and martyrs at a cost of Rs 15 crore and the proposal for the same would be taken up at the Cabinet meeting for approval.

The chief minister said seven municipal corporations in the state have been brought under the ambit of the Smart City Mission, while the process to connect all 17 municipal corporations with the programme is underway. He further said that 60 cities have been approved under the AMRUT scheme, while the plan is afoot to develop about 100 nagar panchayats as “aspirational cities”.
Notably, the government is planning to start Aspirational Cities Programme and a budget of Rs 100 crore has been set aside for the same.

According to state government sources, the Urban Development Department has been given the target to select 100 aspirational local bodies based on the prescribed parameters. The data would be collected on 16 parameters based on which the local bodies would be selected for development into “aspirational cities”.

Besides, the State Urban Development Department is in the process of developing basic infrastructure facilities in the urban bodies having religious and historical importance. The selected urban bodies would get an additional Rs 50 crore for the basic amenities.