On the 99th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Bateshwar in Agra, the birthplace of Atal ji. During his visit, the chief minister unveiled the statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and inaugurated the cultural complex centre (museum) named after him in his memory.

The chief minister also launched the helicopter service for Braj pilgrimage, connecting Agra to Mathura-Vrindavan, besides inaugurating the Tourism and Agriculture Exhibition. He also announced the establishment of a potato research centre in Agra.

Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said, “Today is the birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister. The whole country is paying tribute to Atal ji for his dedicated service to the nation. On this momentous occasion, I extend my humble tribute to Atal ji on behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh.”

The chief minister emphasised that previous unstable governments had a detrimental impact on the nation, depleting its strength. He credited Atal Bihari Vajpayee with providing a stable government in contrast.

Highlighting the challenges of the past, he pointed out that in earlier times, daughters faced barriers in accessing education, and farmers encountered difficulties reaching their fields. Moreover, funds allocated for development did not effectively reach the intended beneficiaries.

“The foundation that Atal ji laid for Uttar Pradesh is being carried forward by the double-engine government. Today, development is taking place in UP, with increased connectivity of villages. Not only roads are improving, but also airplane connectivity is getting better,” the chief minister remarked.

He further highlighted the remarkable progress witnessed since his first visit to the holy land of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “The temples along the banks of the Yamuna have faced foreign attacks, and efforts by the Tourism department are underway to beautify these temples. The ongoing development serves as an inspiration, and it is important to treat tourists with respect.”

Reflecting on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s contributions, Yogi said, “What Atal ji gave to the country was world-class. Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people are getting the benefits of all the schemes of the government. The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra will play a crucial role in India’s transformative journey.”

Furthermore, the chief minister mentioned the construction of 18 Atal residential schools, specifically designed to provide education to the children of the economically disadvantaged, including those from impoverished and laborer backgrounds.

Urging everyone to participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, Yogi said, “The beneficiaries must share their stories. Those who have not received the benefit should do so. The double engine government will do whatever it takes to improve the lives of farmers.”

Meanwhile, the helicopter service between Agra and Mathura began on Monday. This service is being operated on PPP mode. On December 12, the government signed an agreement with M/s Rajas Aerosport and Adventure Private Limited in this regard. The heliport has been given on lease to the company for 30 years.