In a major decision, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has given its green signal for the creation of a new industrial city in Bundelkhand.
Taking inspiration from the successful model of Noida, this landmark move is set to integrate Bundelkhand’s districts into a broader framework of development and generate a multitude of employment opportunities through significant infrastructural enhancements.
It is noteworthy that this decision follows in the footsteps of the establishment of Noida in 1976, marking a gap of 47 years before the state has undertaken such a significant development initiative.
Following a Cabinet meeting at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna provided an in-depth overview of the proposals approved.
“In the meeting, under the Chief Minister Industrial Area Expansion and New Industrial Area Promotion Scheme, the proposal to develop a new industrial township, inspired by Noida, by the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) in Jhansi has been approved. The initial phase of the project will witness the creation of an industrial city by acquiring 35,000 acres of land from 33 revenue villages in Jhansi, with a total cost of Rs 6,312 crore,” Khanna said.
He further emphasised that the government had allocated Rs 5,000 crore for the establishment of the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority in the financial year 2022-23. Additionally, in the fiscal year 2023-24, a Rs 5,000-crore loan provision has been made under the Chief Minister Industrial Area Expansion and New Industrial Area Promotion Scheme. Of the land to be acquired, 8,000 acres belong to village societies.
The finance minister highlighted the significance of this step, stating that it represents a major stride by the Yogi government towards the multidimensional development of Bundelkhand.
The area surrounding Jhansi will undergo extensive development, with plans to create an industrial city spanning 14,000 hectares of land. This city is strategically positioned along the Jhansi-Gwalior route, ensuring connectivity to major cities across the country via the National Highway. Additionally, it will have seamless access to other cities within the state through the Bundelkhand Expressway, which traverses the Jalaun district from National Highway 27.
Khanna emphasised that the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority will encompass all the essential facilities required for industrial establishments, including townships. Its formation will not only catalyse the overall development of the region but also result in the generation of employment opportunities on a significant scale.
This initiative will directly benefit the public, providing employment while contributing significantly to the state’s development objectives. Furthermore, this move aligns with the government’s ambition to achieve a one trillion-dollar economy.
In another development, the Yogi Cabinet has approved the implementation of the Aspirational City Scheme in the 100 most backward urban areas with populations ranging from 20,000 to 1 lakh.
Under this scheme, projects will be executed by leveraging support from the existing government schemes and other institutions, including Central and state government’s initiatives, MP, and MLA funds.
These 100 aspirational urban areas will be selected by NITI Aayog, based on a set of 16 parameters. While the scheme is set to remain in effect until March 31, 2026, monitoring will continue until March 31, 2028, through a dedicated dashboard. This initiative aims to curtail migration by optimising resource utilisation and bolstering opportunities for economic development.
The Cabinet has also approved the operation of AC electric buses in Saharanpur, Ayodhya, and Firozabad. A new special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be established under the chairmanship of the commissioners of respective divisions, as per the Companies Act 2013, to manage and maintain these electric buses. This SPV will be vested with the authority to determine bus routes within the cities and set fare rates, while also ensuring passenger comfort and amenities. Currently, the state operates a total of 740 AC electric buses across 13 SPVs in 14 cities, promoting sustainable and eco-friendly urban transportation.