RE-REVISED BY PANKAJ
Gorakhpur: In a veiled swipe at the Congress, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that the total number of national highways built in 65 years in Uttar Pradesh were equal to the national highways built in the state in the last six years of BJP rule itself.
Speaking at the inauguration and foundation laying ceremony of 16 national highways in UP through video conference, Yogi hailed Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari and his deputy Gen VK Singh for putting in continuous effort for the development for construction of national highways in the country. On Thursday, the Union minister dedicated Rs 7,477 crore projects for constructing 505 Kms long roads.
Yogi recalled how in 2014 PM Narendra Modi gave the responsibility of developing infrastructure of the country to Gadkari. “And today no part of the country is left where the National Highways haven’t reached. The construction of roads is the key to development,” he said.
The CM added that UP was no exception to development of national highways. “PM Modi in his visit to Gorakhpur gave assurance of road construction and the work got completed in time,” the CM said, adding that the gram panchayat land would be given free of cost for construction of national highways.
Gadkari said that UP was moving on the path of development with strong connectivity. “The image of UP is changing and continuously the state is developing. With more roads, the opportunities of employment and industry will be created. We are working towards developing the undeveloped areas,” he said, adding that there wouldn’t be any shortage of funds and the work would be completed timely.
Earlier in the day, CM Yogi break his fast of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi in Gorakhnath temple under Amla tree along with MP Ravi Kishan, MLA Vipin Singh and other members of temple family and devotees before NH inauguration program at Annexy building in Gorakhpur circuit house.