Prayagraj development region will be formed, expressway will be built till Mirzapur-Prayagraj
Mahakumbhnagar (UP) : Under the leadership of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, several public-interest decisions were made during the cabinet meeting held at Mahakumbh Triveni Sankul. Highlights include the establishment of the Prayagraj Regional Development Authority, which will focus on planned development by integrating surrounding districts. Additionally, medical colleges will be constructed in Bagpat, Hathras, and Kasganj districts.
Municipal corporations of Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Agra are now permitted to issue bonds to improve their financial status. A six-lane expressway will also connect Mirzapur to Prayagraj. Post-meeting, the Chief Minister and cabinet members took a holy dip in the Sangam.
Key Announcements:
Medical Colleges on PPP Model: Approval has been granted to establish medical colleges in Bagpat, Hathras, and Kasganj under the Public-Private Partnership model. Work will commence shortly.
KGMU Center in Balrampur: A center named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be set up under King George’s Medical University (KGMU).
Municipal Bond Issuance: Municipal corporations of Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Agra can now issue bonds, expanding the initiative previously available only to Lucknow and Ghaziabad. This includes a bond for a super-specialty hospital in Prayagraj.
Regional Development: Steps will be taken to develop Varanasi and Vindhya as a unified development region to boost tourism and generate employment. Chitrakoot and Prayagraj will be connected to the Ganga Expressway.
Signature Bridge Parallel Construction: A new bridge parallel to the Signature Bridge over the Yamuna River in Prayagraj has been approved.
Expressway Network Expansion:
The cabinet focused on extending the expressway network to enhance connectivity:
The Ganga Expressway will link Prayagraj to Mirzapur and continue to Sant Ravidas Nagar, Varanasi, Chandauli, and Ghazipur, eventually connecting to the Purvanchal Expressway.
A mini expressway will connect Varanasi and Chandauli to Sonbhadra and integrate with the National Expressway.
Revised Defense Policy:
The 2018 Defense Policy will be revisited to align with current requirements. Discussions were also held on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the state.
Skill Development Initiatives:
Collaboration with Tata Technologies Ltd. will upgrade 62 state-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
Approval was granted to establish five Centers for Innovation, Invention, Incubation, and Training.
Industrial Incentives:
Under the Industrial Investment and Employment Promotion Policy, special facilities and incentives for mega industrial units were approved. Proposals for subsidizing land allocated to Ashok Leyland under the Fortune 500 FDI initiative were also sanctioned.
Mahakumbh Participation:
Highlighting Prayagraj’s growing global significance, the Chief Minister noted that over 90 million devotees have participated in bathing rituals at the Sangam in just the past week, an “unprecedented and unforgettable event.”
These steps mark significant progress toward infrastructural development, cultural promotion, and economic growth in Uttar Pradesh.