Lucknow/Agra, April 7 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 325 development projects worth Rs 6,466.37 crore in Agra and announced plans to develop a 'Greater Agra' township, officials said.
The chief minister said the proposed township would emerge as a major urban and economic hub, according to an official statement issued in Lucknow.
"Greater Agra will become the second Noida, opening new avenues of employment and attracting big companies," Adityanath said.
According to the statement, the township would be developed by the Agra Development Authority under the state's 'New City Promotion Scheme' at an estimated cost of around Rs 5,142 crore over 449.65 hectares in Raipur and Rahankalan areas.
It said the project has received RERA approval and would provide multi-storey flats, group housing, plots, modern roads, sewerage systems, green spaces and other civic amenities for over 10,000 families. The sectors of the township will be named after 10 sacred rivers, including Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.
Adityanath said the government aims to transform Agra from a tourism-centric city into a modern cultural and economic centre, the statement added.
Referring to public participation, he expressed gratitude for the support extended by the people of Agra and said the government has delivered major infrastructure projects, including the Agra Metro.
The chief minister said the development of Agra airport would be expedited, and a new civil terminal is expected by the end of this year. He added that the government is also focusing on the development of Fatehpur Sikri and may take up construction of a rubber dam if the detailed project report is completed on time.
Highlighting global challenges, Adityanath said that while many countries are facing war and inflation, India is progressing rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also said that steps like the abrogation of Article 370 have curbed terrorism and asserted that the state government has taken strict action against mafias, according to the statement.
The chief minister said cities like Ayodhya, Mathura and Sambhal are being restored to their cultural heritage and appealed to people to remain united for the promotion of Sanatan values, the statement added.
