Stressing on the importance of good infrastructure, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that with the construction of a large number of expressways and road infrastructure, no one could stop the country from becoming a global super economic power.
"Before 2014, the country used to construct a maximum of five kilometres of highways in a day but today 40 km-long highways are constructed per day. Good roads are the main component of the economic booster and India is following the same pattern," he said.
Addressing a function in Lucknow in the presence of Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday, Singh appreciated both Gadkari and Yogi Adityanath for their efforts to construct large numbers of expressways and roads in Uttar Pradesh.
“Gadkari ji has done impossible things in clearing all the road projects in the state besides Gati Shakti programme of Rs 100 lakh crore has infused all the required funds. On his part, Yogi ji has bulldozed all obstructions which befell any highway projects by improving law and order and by taking strict steps against mafia and criminals," he said.
The defence minister further said, “Prior to 2017, there were just two expressways in the state but now Purvanchal Expressway had been completed and three more would be completed soon which include Bundelkhand Expressway, Gorakhpur Link Expressway and Ganga Expressway.
Singh said that the launching of Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway would enhance the economy of the state besides giving a boost to the Defence Manufacturing Corridor. He said the new 63-km greenfield expressway between Lucknow and Kanpur would be constructed at a cost of Rs 4,270 crore.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also said that his government had not delayed any road projects in the state and the double engine government had done everything to expedite the works. He claimed that road projects inaugurated and others whose foundations were laid on Wednesday would certainly give a big boost to the state's economy.