Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 25 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday inspected the newly constructed Tal Ring Road in Gorakhpur, describing it as a symbol of the city’s transformation from a past associated with crime and neglect to a growing hub of development, heritage, education, and health.

During his visit, the Chief Minister said, 'Gorakhpur is no longer the city that was once known as a stronghold of crime, known for mafia rule. There was a time when Gorakhpur was famous for mosquitoes and mafias. Today, it is establishing itself as a city that is advancing the remarkable confluence of development and heritage, as a major center for education and health, and this is the identity Gorakhpur is carving out for itself today.'

Gorakhpur, which was once CM Yogi's parliamentary constituency, has seen substantial infrastructural progress under his leadership. The newly built Tal Ring Road, constructed along the banks of the Ramgarh Tal, is aimed at easing city traffic congestion and improving connectivity.

Prior to this, the Chief Minister visited Maharajganj, where he pledged to eradicate poverty in the state within the next three years and make Uttar Pradesh the top-performing state in the country.

While addressing the public, CM Yogi reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate poverty and improve infrastructure. He said, 'We will eliminate poverty from UP in 3 years and make the state number one.'

He also highlighted the recent passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, which seeks to prevent illegal land occupation and ensure that government land is allocated for public welfare projects such as schools, hospitals, and housing.

In Maharajganj, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 629 development projects worth INR 654 crore, including the Rohin Barrage. The barrage, located in the Nautanwa assembly constituency, is expected to benefit 16,000 farmers and provide irrigation for over 5,400 hectares of land. CM Yogi announced that the barrage would be named Maa Banaila Devi and would aid in flood prevention and irrigation.

The Chief Minister also outlined Uttar Pradesh’s economic growth under his tenure, noting that the state had risen from being the seventh-largest economy in 2017 to the second-largest in India. He pointed to significant improvements in infrastructure, especially in road and irrigation networks, which have benefited millions of farmers.

He further underscored the government’s focus on education, health, and poverty eradication, mentioning initiatives like the Atal Residential Schools for children of workers and the Chief Minister’s Composite Schools established in every development block.

Concluding his address, CM Yogi remarked that the state had curbed criminal activities, created a safer environment during festivals, and moved from a policy of 'one district, one mafia' to 'one district, one medical college.'

(ANI)