Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off work to build the ambitious Rs 36,000 crore Ganga Expressway that will reduce the travel time between Meerut in Western Uttar Pradesh and Prayagraj in the eastern part of the state from 12-14 hours at present to a mere 5-6 hours.
Addressing a massive rally at Shahjahanpur in the run-up to the UP assembly polls, the Prime Minister said the 594 Km long Expressway will pass through Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, RaeBareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj, ushering in development and throwing open thousands of job opportunities for youths in the 12 districts of the state. It will also benefit farmers, industrialists and traders of the region, he explained.
Upon completion of work, it will become the longest expressway of Uttar Pradesh, connecting the western and eastern regions of the state, he added.
A 3.5 Km long air strip for assisting emergency take-off and landing of Air Force planes will also be constructed on the Expressway at Shahjahanpur.
“An industrial corridor is also proposed to be built along the Expressway. The Expressway will also give a fillip to multiple sectors including industrial development, trade, agriculture, tourism etc. It will provide a big boost to the socio-economic development of the region,” PM Modi added.
The Prime Minister dedicated the foundation stone laying ceremony to the freedom fighters of the region including Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan who were hanged by the British rulers on this day (December 19) for their attempt to overthrow foreign rule.
The Prime Minister said that the best way to honour these freedom fighters was to carry out development through honest intentions and hard work to build an India of their dreams.
Such development can only take place through fast paced connectivity across the country that would be made possible through the mega infrastructure projects that his government was launching.
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Taking a swipe at the opposition, PM Modi said that they had misused government funds to fill their own coffers and benefit their near and dear ones. The BJP government, on the other hand, had been working hard in an honest way and ensuring that these mega structure infrastructure projects come up to benefit the people.
“The results are there for all of you to see,” he remarked.
He also said that the interests of the poor were of paramount importance for the BJP double-engine government and this was reflected in the over 3 lakh “pucca” houses built for the poor under the PM Awas Yojna scheme.
“Over Rs 2 lakh crore has been earmarked for this scheme and the government is working to provide more such houses for the poor in the days ahead,” PM Modi said.
“Besides, over 80 lakh free electricity connections had been provided to light up the houses of the poor,” he added.
Similarly, several schemes to benefit small farmers have been launched which include the direct cash deposits in the their bank accounts and provisions for cheap fertilisers and seeds, he explained.
PM Modi praised the Yogi Adityanath government for improving the law and order situation in the state by taking action against mafia dons who had made life hell for the common man.
He also gave the example of the notorious Sothiganj market in Meerut where vehicles stolen from all over the country were brought for dismantling. The market had been thriving for decades with no action being taken against the brazenly criminal activity. It goes to Yogi Adityanath’s credit that the market has now been shut, PM Modi added.
