To catalyse the green mobility, Uttar Pradesh is mulling the deployment of 850 new electric buses in major cities including Lucknow and Kanpur.
In a review meeting of the UP urban development department chaired by chief minister Yogi Adityanath today, a proposal was made to operate 200 electric buses on the Lucknow-Kanpur route under a net cost contract model, along with direct purchase of 650 buses for other cities.
“Electric mobility must be promoted, and the necessary charging infrastructure should be developed at the earliest,” he directed.
The CM has envisioned an ambitious plan to transform the municipalities of district headquarters into smart and developed municipalities.
He said the objective of the Smart-Developed Municipality Scheme is to build modern, self-reliant and citizen-centric municipalities.
Under the scheme, municipalities will be equipped with modern facilities such as Gaurav Path, Pink Toilets, Urban Facility Centers, Smart Classrooms, Anganwadis, Theme-Based Parks, Heritage Conservation Projects, Reservoir Revival, EV Charging Stations, Green Crematoriums, and Digital Services.
In addition, Utsav Bhawans, Community Centers, and structures based on ‘One District One Product’ will also be developed to strengthen the local economy.
Yogi said the scheme could be implemented through a hub-and-spoke model. For instance, municipalities of nearby district headquarters may be connected to Integrated Command and Control Centers in Lucknow and Gorakhpur.
Under the plan, grants ranging from Rs 4 crore to Rs 10 crore will be provided to municipalities based on their population size and efficiency.
He emphasised that equipping district headquarters with a ‘smart and developed’ appearance will not only enhance infra but also ensure transparent and high-quality services for citizens.
The CM underlined for the speedy resolution of discrepancies in municipal tax arrears.
On the subject of financial powers, the officials informed that the approval limits of municipal bodies have not been revised for the past 20 years.
The CM said in line with the spirit of the 74th Constitutional Amendment, municipal bodies must be given greater financial and administrative authority.
He ordered an immediate expansion of financial approval limits for Municipal Commissioners, Mayors, Executive Committees, and Municipal Corporation Boards.