Lucknow, 30 Aug (HS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that we will be

successful in cleaning the Gomti River by the end of this year. The Central

Command of the Army has extended full support to the state government for the

uninterrupted flow and cleanliness of the Gomti River, due to which this

program is progressing on a war footing. Under the guidance of the Prime

Minister and the Defense Minister, Uttar Pradesh has set a new journey of security

and good governance in 9 years. 20 years ago, there used to be a board at the

railway station in the capital that said 'Smile, you are in Lucknow', but

instead of smiling, people were forced to cry after seeing the traffic jams,

narrow streets and filth. But now Lucknow has created a new identity as a

modern smart city with its old heritage.

On Sunday, the Chief Minister, along with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh,

performed the foundation stone laying and bhoomi pujan (groundbreaking

ceremony) of 12 development projects worth Rs. 101 crore (approximately $1.2

billion). These projects aim to develop the Lucknow Cantonment into a model

cantonment. In addition to AI-based solid waste management, the Abhyudaya

coaching program will also be launched in schools. The Chief Minister expressed

confidence that the Lucknow Cantonment Board will become an ideal

and important hub for development and public amenities, leading to the goal of

ease of living. The Chief Minister stated that the Cantonment Board

will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, providing access to all

vital services to military personnel, ex-servicemen, and civilians. These

facilities were needed in Lucknow in the changing environment, and they are

being provided by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and the Ministry of Defense.

The Chief Minister narrated the story of Lucknow's transformation: The Chief

Minister said that under the leadership of Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh, Atal ji's

dreams have been realized. Lucknow has narrow streets and also the smart road

of CM Grid. There is also an outer ring road like Kisan Path. Here there is the

heritage of the monuments of Uda Devi Pasi and Maharaja Bijli Pasi, on the

other hand, Lucknow has also become a center for modern missiles like Brahmos

in view of India's defense needs and self-reliance. Here there is the amazing

art of Chikankari of artisans, and UNESCO has taken Lucknow to new heights by

recognizing it as the 'Creative City of Gastronomy'.

Efforts to give a new direction to UP in 9 years: The CM said that before

2017, the state faced an identity crisis, poverty, anarchy, chaos, and unrest,

but today it has overcome all of these. In the past nine years, we have strived

to give Uttar Pradesh a new direction. Now, Uttar Pradesh is fulfilling its role

as a growth engine, becoming a breakthrough in India's economy. Six defense

manufacturing corridors are also being established in Uttar Pradesh to promote

India's self-reliance.

Infrastructure also became the identity of UP: The Chief Minister said that

Uttar Pradesh is now also known for its infrastructure. 60 percent of the

expressways in the country are in Uttar Pradesh. It also has the largest

railway network and the highest number of metros. The Chief Minister thanked

the Defense Minister for getting approval for the second phase of the metro

from the Government of India and said that this work will also move forward

very soon. Uttar Pradesh has the country's first rapid rail, first waterway and

the largest air connectivity network. There are 17 domestic and 5 international

airports operational here. Air connectivity is available from Uttar Pradesh to

all parts of the country and the world.

UP's leading position in armed forces: The Chief Minister said that Uttar

Pradesh has always held a leading position in armed forces services. The

tradition of military schools in the country was started by Dr. Sampurnanand

from Uttar Pradesh. Numerous military schools established in Uttar Pradesh are

preparing youth who will contribute to meeting India's security needs, both

present and future. Our army officers and soldiers protect India relentlessly,

24 hours a day. Previously, a lack of funds hindered their facilities, but that

is no longer the case.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun,

Vocational Education Minister Kapildev Agarwal, Mayor Sushma Kharwal, Rajya

Sabha MP Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Sanjay Seth, Legislative Council members Lalji

Prasad Nirmal, Ramchandra Pradhan, Mukesh Sharma, MLA Dr. Neeraj Bora, OP

Srivastava, General Officer Commanding in Chief (Central Command) Lieutenant

General Anindya Sengupta, Director General of Indian Defence Estates Service

Shobha Gupta etc. were present in this program.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi