Lucknow-Kanpur rapid rail, outer ring road planned for state capital region

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday announced plans for a rapid rail corridor connecting Lucknow and Kanpur through Unnao and an outer ring road linking areas under the proposed State Capital Region (SCR), as part of a broader push to accelerate regional development.

Addressing a gathering in Unnao after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of 101 development projects worth more than Rs 570 crore, Adityanath said the district had been included in the Lucknow State Capital Region, paving the way for growth beyond the state capital’s traditional urban centre.

“Development of Lucknow will now reach Unnao and move towards Kanpur,” he said.

The chief minister said proposals for two additional bridges across the Ganga between Unnao and Kanpur had already received approval, strengthening connectivity in the region.

Drawing a comparison with the rapid rail network connecting Delhi and Meerut, Adityanath said a similar proposal was being prepared to establish a rapid rail service between Lucknow and Kanpur via Unnao.

He also outlined plans for an outer ring road that would connect Lucknow, Unnao, Sitapur, Hardoi, Barabanki and Rae Bareli, creating a large development cluster with equal participation from all regions.

Highlighting industrial development initiatives, Adityanath said around 700 acres of land had been prepared in Unnao for the Defence Manufacturing Corridor and another industrial cluster. The proposed facilities, he said, would attract new industries and generate employment opportunities.

The government, he added, was working on a long-term development strategy focused on creating world-class infrastructure while planning for the next 100 years.

Referring to the Ganga Expressway, the chief minister said the project connected Unnao and reflected global standards in road infrastructure.

Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh had emerged as a leading state in the development of expressways and airports, and pointed to the recently inaugurated Noida International Airport as an example of the state’s infrastructure progress.

He said the credit for development belonged to people who elected governments committed to progress and development.

Taking a swipe at previous governments, Adityanath said some leaders considered only their own region as the state, while prime minister Narendra Modi viewed the entire country as his family.

“My home is Uttar Pradesh and the 25 crore people of the state are my family. Working for their welfare and prosperity is our mission,” he said.

The chief minister assured residents that development work in Unnao would continue without interruption and said there would be no shortage of funds for ongoing and future projects.