Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday, said that investment was a prerequisite for a developed country and state, adding that industrial development was a natural outcome of good governance as well as prevalence of rule of law.

Addressing a gathering at a function organised in Sector 13 of Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA) after gifting 20 projects worth Rs 1,040 crore to the authority, Yogi said that the double-engine government aimed to build a “developed India” under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The GIDA projects include launch of the Rs 650 crore Kalesar Residential Township Scheme, laying of foundation stone of SD International’s plastic recycling and food packaging container unit with an investment of Rs 300 crore as well as inauguration/laying of foundation stones of 18 development projects worth Rs 90 crore.

Chief Minister Yogi also distributed enrollment certificates to five students of the Skill Training Centre of National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) on the occasion.

He said: “To fulfill this resolution of a developed India, Uttar Pradesh needs to be developed, and for this, Gorakhpur needs to be developed. Industrial investment is a prerequisite for fulfilling this resolution of a developed country, state, and district.”

The chief minister added that the industrial development and creation of employment opportunities being witnessed in the state are the result of better law and order, good governance and election of good public representatives, emphasising that, “When intentions are good, results are also good.”

Emphasising that GIDA was touching new heights, the chief minister said that the Gorakhpur Link Expressway project was expected to be completed soon, providing two routes to travel to Lucknow. He expressed the need for developing this region as an industrial cluster, highlighting the efforts made in recent years. 

The chief minister mentioned investments made in GIDA by companies such as Varun Beverages, Cayan Distilleries, CP Milk, Tatva Plastics, Central Warehousing Corporation, India Autowheels, Balaji Processors, Rungta Industries, Kapila Krishi Udyog and Singh Paper Projects. He said that these investments were expected to create job opportunities for around 5,000 youths.

Additionally, the chief minister pointed to the development of other industries in the GIDA area, including a garment park on 25 acres, a plastic park on 88 acres, and the construction of a flat factory at a cost of Rs 34 crore. He said that the government was also going to build an industrial township in Dhuriyapar on 5,500 acres.

Furthermore, the chief minister said that there was a proposal for setting up a new cement factory for which land had already been shown to the investor.

The chief minister pointed out that as many as four crore pucca houses have been provided to the poor across the country since Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement in this regard in 2014, soon after becoming the prime minister for the first time. 

In Uttar Pradesh, 56 lakh houses have been given to the poor, he added.

“Along with the Gorakhpur Development Authority, GIDA has also taken forward steps for those who are willing to get housing by paying their money. Houses will be available for every category of people in GIDA’s Kalesar Housing Project,” he added.

Chief Minister Yogi highlighted the importance of attractive packaging of products in enhancing its market value and thanked the directors of SD International for setting up the new unit in the packaging sector.

Speaking of various developments in Gorakhpur, the chief minister said, “The city is transforming into a ‘New Gorakhpur’. Kalesar to Jangal Kauria bypass was earlier a dream, but presently it is a reality. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has been built in Gorakhpur and BRD Medical College has been upgraded. The fertiliser factory has started and four universities have been established in Gorakhpur.”

He further mentioned that the government has recently approved a veterinary college for Gorakhpur, which will later be transformed into a university. “Atal Residential School has been established in Sahjanwa, and a Sarvodaya School has been set up in Harpur. In every area, something new is happening,” he added.

Chief Minister Yogi mentioned that the practical skills of the youths are being honed through the Skill Development Training Centre established by NIELIT in GIDA, which will help then secure jobs.

He also highlighted that the National Education Policy includes provisions for both traditional courses and skill development. Youths completing their education will have a job waiting for them upon graduation, he added.

The chief minister said that along with ensuring development, the government was also respecting the faiths of people, referring to the consecration of Lord Shri Ram’s idol in his grand temple in Ayodhya after a gap of centuries. He urged everyone to visit Ayodhya and seek the blessings of Lord Shri Ram.

Member of Parliament Ravi Kishan Shukla also spoke on the occasion. Also present on the occasion were Sahjanwa MLA Pradeep Shukla, SD International MD Vinay Aggarwal, Mayor Dr Manglesh Srivastava, Vipin Singh, Fateh Bahadur Singh, Shriram Chauhan Mahendrapal Singh, MLC Dr Dharmendra Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party district president Yudhishthir Singh and senior leader Ramesh Singh among others.

It is worth mentioning here after its completion in Sector 13 of GIDA in an area of 42,284 square metres at the cost of Rs 300 crore, the SD International’s plastic recycling packaging unit will offer employment to 750 people. Additionally, a 3 megawatt solar plant will also be installed in this unit.

The Kalesar Residential Township, launched by the chief minister, will be developed on 120 acres. In this residential project, small, medium and large-sized plots will be available catering to the needs of people of low, middle and high-income groups.

The chief minister gifted 18 development projects worth Rs 90 crores in GIDA Sector 27, 28, and Sector 11. Nine development works worth more than Rs 35 crore, including Sectors 27 and 28, were inaugurated. Meanwhile, in Sector 11, the foundation stone was laid for nine works with a cost exceeding Rs 54 crore.