Lucknow being seen as one of mostlivable urban centres, says Rajnath

Lucknow: Defence minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh on Friday said that under chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Lucknow has become a world-class city with development clearly visible in the lives of the people.Singh inaugurated the phase 2 of the Green Corridor project and laid the foundation stone for phases 3 and 4, describing the development as an important milestone in the city's infrastructure."Yogi is popularly known as ‘Bulldozer Baba'. By taking action against mafia and criminals and demolishing illegal properties, land has been freed and utilized for development works. A bulldozer does not only demolish structures but also prepares the ground for development," he said. Singh said projects worth Rs 1,529 crore had been taken up under the inauguration of phase 2 and the launch of the next two phases. He congratulated the people of Lucknow and thanked chief minister Yogi Adityanath for the project's progress. Singh said, "Lucknow, long known for its culture and heritage, is now also being discussed for its development and urban growth. The city's changing infrastructure and improving quality of life were being noticed not only within India but also by Indians living abroad. The city was increasingly being seen as one of the livable urban centres." Focusing on transport infrastructure, Singh said Lucknow had faced severe traffic congestion in the past, prompting efforts to improve road connectivity and reduce pressure on city roads. He referred to the expansion of Amar Shaheed Path, the construction of flyovers, the development of the Lucknow Metro, and the approval of the East-West metro corridor as part of a broader push to modernize urban mobility."Green Corridor would play a major role in improving seamless transport and green mobility in the city. The full project is 28 km long and is expected to cost more than Rs 7,000 crore. It will connect Shaheed Path and Kisan Path while passing through key parts of Lucknow," said the minister. He added that the corridor would reduce travel time and congestion and also improve the commuting experience through landscaped green stretches. According to Singh, more than 150 trees that came in the way of construction were not cut down but transplanted elsewhere, which he described as an important environmental step. He said, "The second phase, stretching from Daliganj bridge to Samta Mulak Chowk, covers 7 km and is expected to benefit around 15 lakh people. The next phase will extend the corridor further from Samta Mulak Chowk to Shaheed Path." Singh also said the project reflected coordination between civil and defence authorities, with defence land being used for the scheme after necessary cooperation from the defence ministry. Beyond roads, Singh referred to a wider range of projects in Lucknow, including the upcoming Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, industrial investment, electric vehicle manufacturing, defence facilities, and urban cleanliness measures. He said these initiatives were contributing to employment generation, better transport, and improved civic life. He also noted that an MoU had been signed between the School of Planning and Architecture and the Lucknow Development Authority to prepare a scientific and integrated master plan for the city's long-term development.