Context:
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh(UP) emphasized the importance of developing a North-South road corridor to connect districts along the Nepal border with those in the southern regions of Uttar Pradesh.
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- The initiative is designed to improve connectivity and foster inclusive development throughout the state.
- The CM highlighted that most of Uttar Pradesh’s highways and expressways run East-West, stressing the need for a strong North-South corridor to balance infrastructure.
- He recommended consulting National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for national highways, while state authorities handle other road construction, widening, and strengthening, proposing Greenfield projects where needed.
- This corridor will improve Uttar Pradesh’s connectivity with neighboring states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, while stimulating business in border districts and promoting inclusive development across all regions.
- State departments have been instructed to procure construction materials locally and ensure compliance with quality standards.
- The annual action plan should ensure that all districts and assembly constituencies benefit equitably, with no regional disparities.
- The Projects must undergo thorough evaluations of their utility, impact, and effects on local communities before commencement.
- As urban traffic continues to rise, the focus will be on building bypasses, ring roads, and flyovers, particularly in municipal areas with populations over one lakh, to alleviate congestion.
- Road safety is a priority. The transport, PWD, and police departments are tasked with coordinating efforts, which include:
- Building tabletop speed breakers
- Installing signage and CCTV cameras on major routes
- Widening state roads by at least 10 metres
- Improved rural connectivity will also be addressed, with upgrades to roads in villages through gram panchayat, kshetra panchayat, and district panchayat funds.
- Key bridge projects outlined include:
- A new bridge connecting Salori to Jhunsi over the Ganga in Prayagraj
- A new bridge parallel to the Naini Bridge
- A rail-cum-road bridge downstream of Malviya Setu in Varanasi
- These initiatives will meet traffic demands and enhance connectivity in major urban areas.
- The departments will monitor under-construction projects, ensure accountability, quality, and transparency, and seek central government support when necessary.
- Special road projects are underway to enhance access to religious sites attracting over five lakh devotees annually. A total of 272 routes are being widened, strengthened, and developed with minimal land acquisition for quicker execution.
- To support industrial growth, 33 major projects have been added to the action plan to link industrial and logistics parks with national and state highways, enhancing Uttar Pradesh’s industrial infrastructure.