Lucknow Aims to Join World’s Top-Ranked Cities: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that Lucknow is emerging as one of India’s fastest-developing cities and should aim to be counted among the world’s top-ranked urban centres.

Speaking at multiple public events, Singh highlighted the city’s major infrastructure progress, including 14 new flyovers completed, 11 more approved, and new projects underway to ease congestion and improve urban mobility.

He inaugurated a community centre and library in Jankipuram, both built through CSR funding by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). He also laid the foundation stone for 250 open-air gyms across the city to promote public health and fitness.

The Defence Minister said the city’s infrastructure and public amenities have expanded rapidly in recent years, driven by coordinated planning between the Union and state governments. “Lucknow is developing fast, but we want to see it among the top cities in the world,” Singh said.

He also announced that the government plans to build an underpass at Awadh Crossing and introduce a circular train network around Lucknow to ease daily travel and connect key residential and business zones.

Officials said the city’s connectivity will further improve with ongoing expansion of the Lucknow International Airport, new metro line extensions, and expressway linkages connecting the state capital to other districts.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and former Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, who attended the event, said the government’s focus remains on improving transport, roads, water supply, and civic infrastructure to enhance residents’ quality of life.

They added that the current pace of development in Lucknow positions it ahead of many larger metro cities in several key urban indicators, including road network upgrades and modern amenities.