Yogi Adityanath's ₹950 Crore Push for World-Class Infrastructure in UP Defence Corridor

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is making significant strides towards transforming the state into a hub for defence manufacturing. With a hefty investment of ₹950 crore, the government aims to develop world-class infrastructure within the state's Defence Industrial Corridor. This initiative is set to bolster India's self-reliance in defence production while spurring economic growth and job creation in the region.

The Defence Industrial Corridor in Uttar Pradesh comprises six nodes: Aligarh, Kanpur, Jhansi, Lucknow, Chitrakoot, and Agra. The current investment focuses on five of these nodes, excluding Agra. The allocated funds will be used to construct high-quality roads, electricity grids, water supply systems, sewerage, and advanced security systems, ensuring that these areas are well-equipped to support large-scale defence manufacturing units.

According to officials from the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), projects worth approximately ₹187 crore have already been completed, with additional works exceeding ₹537 crore currently underway. This aggressive pace of development underscores the state government's commitment to the corridor's success.

The node receiving the largest share of the investment is Jhansi, with projects totalling over ₹517 crore. Completed works in Jhansi exceed ₹102 crore, with ongoing projects worth more than ₹376 crore and over ₹37 crore reserved for future initiatives. This substantial investment is expected to transform Jhansi into a critical centre for defence production.

In Aligarh, over ₹122 crore is being invested. Completed projects in this node exceed ₹37 crore, with ongoing works valued at over ₹61 crore. Tenders for projects worth more than ₹13 crore have been issued, and approximately ₹10 crore is reserved for upcoming projects.

Kanpur is also a significant beneficiary, with an allocation of over ₹62 crore. More than ₹32 crore of works have been completed, with ongoing projects worth over ₹16 crore and tenders issued for works exceeding ₹13 crore. This investment aims to enhance Kanpur's infrastructure, making it conducive to defence manufacturing.

The Lucknow node has projects worth over ₹166 crore underway. Completed works exceed ₹14 crore, with projects worth more than ₹82 crore under construction. Tenders for works valued at over ₹13 crore have been issued, and more than ₹56 crore is reserved for future projects. This investment is expected to modernize the state's capital, aligning it with the needs of the defence sector.

Chitrakoot, another key node, is receiving over ₹71 crore. Currently, projects worth ₹39 lakh are under construction, with tenders issued for works exceeding ₹10 crore. Additionally, more than ₹61 crore is set aside for future projects. This development aims to uplift Chitrakoot's infrastructure, positioning it as a vital node in the Defence Industrial Corridor.

The ambitious project is part of the broader vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to make India self-reliant in defence manufacturing. The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, with its world-class infrastructure, is poised to attract both domestic and international defence manufacturers. This will not only enhance India's defence capabilities but also create numerous job opportunities, driving economic growth in the region.

The development of the UP Defence Corridor is a testament to the Yogi Adityanath government's proactive approach to industrialization and infrastructure development. By investing heavily in this project, the state government is laying a strong foundation for a robust defence manufacturing ecosystem that promises to bring significant economic and strategic benefits to Uttar Pradesh and India as a whole.