Expressways of growth: TOI conclave to focus on road ahead

LUCKNOW: The road to development is paved with the best intentions, and of course, bitumen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken about the importance of good roads several times.
"When a network of good roads is created... the economy of the country also picks up pace," the PM said.
Translating the thoughts into action, the Uttar Pradesh government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath started making concerted efforts to improve road connectivity in the state.
The result: As on date, UP is home to the largest network of expressways in terms of total kilometres. As many as six expressways are functional while seven are at different levels of progress. On the driver's seat of this change is the UP Expressways and Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA).
In this backdrop, the Times Group is holding a conclave to collate the journey so far and the way forward in the quest towards UP's dream of becoming a trillion-dollar economy.
The topic for the conclave is 'Expressway towards Trillion Dollar Economy'. Cabinet Minister for Industries and Infrastructure Development, UP Sri Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, would be joining the event as chief guest.
Speaking to TOI on the eve of the event, Nandi said: "Roads are backbone of economic development. UP is working in the most committed way to ensure that the state becomes home to world class road infrastructure."
UPEIDA CEO Awanish Awasthi will be speaking on the journey of the authority besides the agency's vision for upcoming projects. Secretary planning and head for the UP trillion-dollar economy project, Alok Kumar, will speak on the state's plan to achieve the goal. Senior bureaucrat and additional secretary, Union ministry of road transport and highways, will also share his view about the UP story.
A body of experts, including Prof Samit Ray Chaudhari, from department of civil engineering at IIT Kanpur, and Prof Sanjay Singh, from the Indian Institute of Management, will speak about the importance of expressways as a business propeller and response base during crises in their sessions.
Professor in charge at IIT's technopark foundation, Gopalakrishna M Kamath, will share how technology can boost the economy with UP Defence Corridor as a case study.
A panel discussion on good roads and their multiplier effect on the business will also be held as part of the conclave with additional chief secretary MSME and export promotion, Navneet Sehgal, and principal secretary, UP tourism, Mukesh Meshram, speaking about how good roads can boost ODOP and tourism economy in UP.
Experts from the industry will also share their views on the importance of good roads. The list includes Sudhir Rao Hosing, chief executive officer (execution) and director at IRB Infrastructure, SVS Rao, deputy managing director SIDBI, Manoj Gupta, chairman MKU Limited and president, FICCI UP chapter, and SB Singh, officer on special duty for operations at AMUL. The conclave will begin at 10:30 am onwards on July 22, 2022, at Taj Mahal Hotel, Lucknow.