Need robust ‘north-south corridor’ to transform UP’s connectivity: Adityanath

The CM proposed that while the sections falling under national highways will be developed with the support of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the construction, strengthening and widening of the remaining routes shall be undertaken at the state level.

He also directed the officials that greenfield road projects be proposed wherever required to ensure a comprehensive connectivity. The proposed corridor, he added, would not only enhance UP’s connectivity with states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh but would also boost commercial activities in border districts and promote inclusive development. He also instructed that construction materials such as cement and steel should preferably be sourced from manufacturing units from within the state, provided they meet quality standards.

The officials, he said, must ensure that while preparing the annual work plan, all districts and assembly constituencies of the state should benefit equally, so that no region is left behind in development. Before starting any project, its usefulness, possible impact and effect on the local population must be properly studied, he added.

Considering the increasing traffic congestion in urban areas, the Chief Minister said there should be special focus on building bypasses, ring roads, and flyovers. In urban local bodies with a population of over 1 lakh, priority should be given to construction projects that improve traffic flow and help people avoid traffic jams, he said.

Stressing the importance of road safety, he said the departments of transport, public works and police must work together.

He stressed the need for designing tabletop-style speed breakers, proper signages and CCTV cameras on major roads and roads which are at least 10 meters wide.

On rural connectivity, the CM said that funds from village, block and district-level should be utilised better to provide good road facilities in villages as well.

He also reviewed plans for the construction of important bridges and railway overbridges (ROBs) in the state, including a proposed bridge on the Ganga river in Prayagraj connecting Salori and Jhunsi, a bridge parallel to the Naini bridge in the city and a proposed rail-cum-road bridge downstream of the Malviya bridge in Varanasi. He also directed the officials to seek help, if required, from the Central government for these projects. Accountability must be fixed in case of delays without compromise on technical quality and that all projects must be completed with complete transparency, he said.

Special plans are being made to ensure safe and easy access to religious places and priority is being given to the sites that receive more than 5 lakh visitors annually, he added.

A total of 272 roads connecting important religious places have been selected for widening, strengthening, and development, the CM said, adding these routes have been chosen in a way that requires minimal land acquisition.

Also, 33 key projects have been included in the action plan to strengthen the connectivity of industrial and logistics parks, Adityanath said. Through these projects, industrial units will be linked to national and state highways, which will further enhance the industrial landscape of the state and boost economic growth, the Chief Minister said.