Looking to become a $trillion economy in the next 4-5 years, Uttar Pradesh is betting on rapid urban development to achieve the ambitious goal.
In this regard, the UP government is working on developing all the 762 civic bodies in the state.
Currently, all the municipal corporations, including 10 smart cities, are being transformed into safe and smart cities.
According to UP chief secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, the urban development model is based on three pillars of sustainable growth encompassing social, environmental and economic aspects.
The government is prioritising education, healthcare, employment, business, general infrastructure, clean drinking water, hospitals, electricity, roads and housing.
With the aim to turn every developmental programme into a mass movement, the UP government is focusing on developing 762 cities on the lines of smart cities by proactively garnering public support.
The government’s concept of smartness involves paying attention to technology along with infrastructure. For example, all the smart cities and municipal corporations have been amalgamated with the Integrated Control and Command Center (ICCC).
“People should participate in development projects, understand the importance of environment, connect development activities with ancient Indian values, and become participants in the process of development,” he noted.
UP has a large network of perennial rivers, mostly originating from the Himalayas. However, many rivers had become lifeless owing to the weakening bond with people, thus leading these water bodies into dumping grounds for waste and industrial pollution.
However, following impassioned intervention of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, more than 50 rivers of UP have been revived in recent past.
Many ponds and lakes that were almost dead have been transformed into ‘Amrit Sarovars’ and ‘Amrit Vans’ established near them, while ghats have been built near ponds.
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Modi has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in India by 2070. In the same vein, the UP government has committed to making people’s lifestyle environment-friendly.