Govt to ink land deal with 3,500 farmers

Chief minister is expected to give green signal for starting the work in October

LUCKNOW: The State Government intends to set a record of sorts by inking land acquisition deal with 3,500 farmers in two months to start work on the ambitious Samajwadi Purvanachal Expressway.

Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav is expected to give green signal for starting the work in October on the 347.50 kilometrelong access-control expressway linking Lucknow with Ballia via Azamgarh.

To be developed by the State Government from its own funds, work on the `12,000 crore project has been divided into six packages. Officials of the UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and other concerning agencies have been asked to procure land for the project from 3,500 farmers on the basis of mutual agreement by September 30.

The deadline was set by chief advisor to CM Alok Ranjan, who chaired a meeting here on Thursday to review the project’s progress. The former CS was happy with the way Agra-Lucknow Expressway was taking shape. He said that this project which was earlier to be implemented in three years was now being completed in only 22 months and would be thrown open to public in October.

Ranjan asked the officials to show same zeal in completing the work on the proposed Purvanchal Expressway.

Since a large amount of funds would be required for land acquisition, the State Government is planning to

TO BE DEVELOPED BY THE STATE GOVT FROM ITS OWN FUNDS, WORK ON THE `12,000 CRORE PROJECT HAS BEEN DIVIDED INTO 6 PACKAGES

convene a short-monsoon session to get budgetary sanctions for this and some other important projects, according to sources.

Ranjan, however, was peeved at the slow pace of installation of power poles and line shifting by the UP Power Corporation and asked the officials to expedite the work.

He said that plantation and greenery work should be carried out on Agra-Lucknow Expressway along with putting up of direction signboards for public convenience.

For Tajganj project, he said, the responsibility of maintenance of link roads should be given to Agra Development Authority and that of CCTV camera, control room and barrier to Agra police.

Likewise, Agra Municipal Corporation was asked to ensure works in 15 backward habitats, provide shades in community centre graveyard, submersible pumps, street lighting, dustbins and public utilities.

Reviewing the IT City project, Ranjan said that on-the-job training of students in Noida would be over in September and 2nd phase of training would start in Lucknow from October 15.

He directed the officials to ensure completion of work of power substations by July 31.