Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has highlighted the urgent need for a dedicated north-south corridor that will link districts along the Nepal border in northern UP to the state’s southernmost regions.
Chairing a review meeting of the Public Works Department (PWD), CM Adityanath proposed that while segments of the new corridor falling under national highways will be developed with the assistance of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the remaining stretches would be built, widened, and upgraded at the state level.
He also called for the identification and proposal of new greenfield road projects to ensure seamless and integrated connectivity.
CM Adityanath also highlighted that the north-south corridor would not only bolster intra-state transportation but also strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s linkage with states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
According to him, this would foster commercial development in the state’s border districts and promote equitable growth. He directed officials to prioritise the procurement of construction materials like cement and steel from within the state, as long as they meet quality standards.
Addressing urban infrastructure challenges, CM Adityanath stressed the need for building bypasses, ring roads and flyovers in cities, especially those with a population exceeding one lakh. He believes that these projects should aim to ease traffic congestion and improve mobility for residents.
Emphasising road safety, the CM urged coordination among the transport, police, and PWD departments. He called for proper signage, installation of CCTV cameras, and standardised tabletop-style speed breakers, especially on wider roads of 10 meters or more.
In rural areas, CM Adityanath advocated for the efficient use of funds at the village, block, and district levels to improve road connectivity.
He also reviewed key bridge and railway overbridge projects, including a proposed Ganga bridge connecting Salori and Jhunsi in Prayagraj, a parallel bridge to the existing Naini bridge, and a rail-cum-road bridge downstream of the Malviya bridge in Varanasi.
For these projects, he instructed officials to seek central government support if necessary and ensure timely, transparent execution with strict adherence to technical standards.
Special attention is also being given to improving access to major religious sites, especially those drawing over five lakh visitors annually.
A total of 272 roads connecting such places have been selected for widening and development, with minimal land acquisition required.
Additionally, 33 infrastructure projects have been incorporated into a broader plan to enhance connectivity for industrial and logistics parks, facilitating smoother movement of goods and boosting UP’s industrial growth.
