"Uttar Pradesh Government Procures Approximately 1,000 Acres of Land Near Expressways"

The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a significant step towards realizing its trillion-dollar economy target by acquiring close to 1,000 acres of land adjacent to expressways. This move aims to facilitate the establishment of both private and public sector plants once the acquired land is allotted.

According to Manoj Kumar Singh, the state's infrastructure and industrial development commissioner (IIDC), the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has identified about 30 nodes across various expressway projects for land acquisition. Given that a substantial portion of land in Uttar Pradesh is fertile, the cost of land acquisition for industrial purposes tends to be higher compared to other regions. With approximately 75 percent of land in Uttar Pradesh being cultivable, land acquisition costs are inherently elevated.

Singh emphasized that UPEIDA's land acquisition efforts will enhance the availability of affordable land for industrial development. To mitigate the challenges posed by high land acquisition costs, the government offers a range of incentives on capital investment.

The state's investor-friendly policies have already attracted major industry players such as Samsung, Dixon, Siemens, Hinduja, GE, and Tata Motors to establish their units in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the Yogi Adityanath government is anticipated to invest around Rs 4,000 crore in acquiring land adjoining the expressways, particularly at entry and exit points to facilitate faster transportation and logistics.

Uttar Pradesh currently boasts operational expressway projects such as the Yamuna Expressway, Agra-Lucknow Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, and Bundelkhand Expressway. Additionally, work is underway on several other projects, including the 595-km long Ganga Expressway, which is expected to be completed by December 2024.

In a recent announcement, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi disclosed that the state had initiated over 14,000 projects with a cumulative worth of Rs. 10 trillion at a groundbreaking ceremony held on February 19 in Lucknow. He highlighted that the state had received investment proposals totaling Rs. 40 trillion from both domestic and global companies, reflecting a robust confidence in Uttar Pradesh's growth trajectory.

These projects are projected to not only bolster Uttar Pradesh's economy but also create approximately 350,000 job opportunities, thereby uplifting the economic well-being of numerous families across the state.

BS