Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav along with his family took a maiden ride on his dream `Agra-lucknow Expressway’ after it was opened for him to enjoy one of the smoothest ride to his native village at Saifai in Etawah on Saturday. The expressway was opened for the first time and CM yet to make it’s official inauguration.
Soon after giving a gift of 22 to 24-hours power supply to the people here on Saturday, Yadav left for his native town riding for the first time on his dream Agra-lucknow Expressway. Yadav, who was accompanied by his family along with minister Abhisekh Mishra, Rajendra Chowdhary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) UPEIDA Navneet Sahgal, started his drive from lucknow at 2pm and reached Saifai at 6pm. ``It took a little over 2 hours to reach Saifai from lucknow but it took 4-hours as CM stopped at several place to take first hand account of development of the his ambitious Green Expressway”, sources said adding that chief minister also hailed the officers for the outstanding work to complete the mega project within stipulated period.
A few days back, an SUV was driven at a speed of over 100 kms per hour and a glass filled with water kept over it’s roof-top. However not a single drop poured out of the glass pointing towards it smoothness. A senior officer claimed that 3-Kms long stretch in the Expressway will be a `runway’ and can be safely used to land or take up jet or other flights. He claimed that the expressway more popularly known as a `growth highway’, would be the pride of UP and an envy for other states.
He said that it was a remarkable feat for the officers as a road of such a magnitude can come up in such a short time. “We built this road in a record time and the credit goes to the team which worked round the clock to ensure its completion in just 22 months and will be operational very soon,” said a officer who was present along with Yadav during his ride to Saifai on Saturday. He said that UP’s image has got a boost due to this expressway as it is the longest access control highway. Many industrialists wondered as to how we could complete the project in such a short time. The Expressway will change the face of Uttar Pradesh. Mandis will come up along the highway where farmers will not only sell their produce at competitive price but will also get farm equipment at their door steps.
