‘Separate authority needed to roll out defence corridor in UP’
LUCKNOW: A defence authority on the lines of Noida Authority was needed for the successful implementation of the defence corridor project in the state, said former governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lt General AK Singh.
Singh was in Lucknow to take part in the 4th Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure Summit-2018 organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the defence corridor project in Uttar Pradesh at the mega Investors Summit held in Lucknow in February this year.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said, “The defence corridor project is a game changer for Uttar Pradesh. The project will boost the state’s economy.”
Issuing a note of caution for the Yogi government for successfully rolling out the project, Singh said, “It is the UP government which is the main driver of the defence corridor project and not the Centre. So, the onus of ensuring the success of the project lies more on the state government.”
Recommending measures to the state government regarding the project, he said, “The government must come up with a separate defence authority on the lines of Noida Authority to oversee the defence corridor project.”
He also recommended appointing a nodal officer and constituting sub-committees for rolling out the project.
Singh also recommended constituting a separate defence cell to clear projects related to the defence corridor.
Another top ranking Army officer present at the summit was Lt General DS Hooda (retd), who also gave important suggestions to the Yogi government regarding the project.
“If we want to promote indigenous product, then research and development is an important aspect. The government must ensure that proper research and development facilities also come up in the defence corridor, so that the companies can come up with quality products,” said Hooda.
He advised the government to remove all bottlenecks before the investors invest in the project.
He also suggested providing a level playing field to private companies and public sector units willing to invest in the defence corridor.
Earlier, Lalit Khaitan, chairman, UP state chapter, PHD Chamber, gave the welcome address.
Gaurav Prakash, co-chairman, UP state chapter, PHD Chamber, pledged all support from his organisation to the state government in successfully implementing the project.
Mukesh Bahadur Singh, co-chairman, UP state chapter, PHD Chamber, was confident of more industries coming to Uttar Pradesh in view of improved law and order situation and investing scenario.
Alok Ranjan, former chief secretary, UP government, among others was also present at the event.