Projects worth Rs 1,700 crore launched in UP

LUCKNOW: With the Model Code of Conduct likely to come into force soon, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today launched a number of infrastructure projects worth over Rs 1,700 crore in the state.

Akhilesh dedicated to public over 1,800 government tubewells under the Ram Manohar Lohia New Tubewell Project, and six projects of housing, urban development and tourism departments in Agra.

The Model Code of Conduct will come into force the moment the Lok Sabha election schedule is announced by the Election Commission, which is likely sometime this week.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the state government has also prepared a detailed programme to connect all district headquarters with four lane roads.

Chief Secretary Javed Usmani said that of the schemes launched today, Rs 307 crore was being spent on setting up of 1,820 government tubewells.

And, 27 important roads with a combined length of 541 kms would be widened and strengthened by the PWD department with a cost of Rs 980 crore, he added.

Akhilesh also announced to shift the Gomti Barrage at Lucknow and construct a new one in Rampur.

Irrigation and PWD Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav said that under the irrigation system in UP, 72,000 acres of area was being irrigated by 74,000-km long canal system.

The PWD minister said 3,000 new tubewells would be installed in the next three years and irrigation schemes have been launched in Bundelkhand region, which is often affected by drought.

Usmani said the foundation stone of Agra inner ring road project has also been laid. He said the 11-km ring road between Uberpur and Fatehabad would be constructed by Agra Development Authority with a cost of Rs 306 crore.

In addition to this he said the beautification and development of Tajganj area would be done with a cost of Rs 108 crore.