Modi's Project Spree Ahead of UP Polls

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com tracks Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi's project-launching spree in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

Data: Hemantkumar Shivsaran/Rediff.com

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi offers prayers after taking a holy dip in the Ganga at Varanasi, December 13, 2021. Photograph: ANI Photo

With Uttar Pradesh assembly elections due early next year Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi is in fast forward mode so far as launching development projects are concerned in India's most politically crucial state.

In his own words, 'No one can stop Uttar Pradesh from becoming Uttam Pradesh', the key to which clearly is new projects.

Beginning October 2021, Modi has either launched a plethora of new projects or inaugurated completed projects.

And, he is showing no signs of letting up on converting Uttar Pradesh into 'Uttam Pradesh' before the Election Commission of India's model code of conduct kicks in. Which could be anytime till January 2022, giving the Bharatiya Janata Party plenty of time to roll out projects.

It began with Modi's inauguration of the Kushinagar International Airport on October 20 in eastern Uttar Pradesh, considered one of the most backward areas of the country.

The project cost Rs 260 crore (Rs 2.6 billion) and connect one of the most backward places of the country by air.

Modi's move was immediately criticised by Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Singh Yadav, who pointed out that he as the state's chief minister had inaugurated the same project in 2016.

Without bothering much about criticism from Opposition parties, the same day Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rs 280 crore (Rs 2.8 billion) Rajkiya Medical College, also in Kushinagar.

This medical college will have a 500-bed hospital and provide admission to 100 students from the academic year 2022-2023.

On November 16, Modi did what he does best.

He inaugurated the Purvanchal Expressway in spectacular fashion, landing on it in an IAF Super Hercules aircraft, and even organised an air show in coordination with the Indian Air Force.

The IAF presented a thrilling air show along the landing strip on the Purvanchal Expressway, with the Mirage 2000, Jaguar Fighter Jets and Sukhoi-30s participating.

The 340.824 km long, six-lane expressway, built at a cost of Rs 22,494.6 crore (Rs 224 billion), connects Lucknow to Ghazipur via Azamgarh.

While BJP leaders were tom-tomming Modi's achievement, Akhilesh Yadav played spoilsport yet again.

In a press conference he said he had laid the foundation stone of the same project in 2016.

Akhilesh said the Purvanchal Expressway was his vision for completing which Modi and Yogi were taking credit.

Criticism aside, Modi did not halt his Uttam Pradesh inauguration spree.

What	When	Who	How Much	Details	Source
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham	13.12.2021	Modi inaugurated a total of 23 buildings in the phase 1 of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project.	Rs 339 Crore (Rs 3.39 billion).	Project will realise Modi's vision to create an easily accessible pathway connecting the Kashi Vishwanath temple to the banks of the Ganga.	pib.gov.in
Saryu Nahar National Project	11.12.2021	Modi inaugurated the Saryu Nahar National Project in Balrampur.	Rs 9,800 Crore (Rs 98 billion)	Project will provide assured water for irrigation of over 1.4 million hectares of land and benefit about 2.9 million farmers in over 6,200 villages of Eastern UP. Project also involves interlinking of five rivers: Ghaghra, Saryu, Rapti, Banganga and Rohini	pib.gov.in
Ken-Betwa Interlinking of Rivers Project	08.12.2021	Union Cabinet approved the funding and implementation of the Ken-Betwa inter-linking of rivers project.	Rs 44,605 crore (Rs 446 billion)	The project is proposed to be implemented in eight years.	pib.gov.in
AIIMS, Gorakhpur	07.12.2021	Inauguration of AIIMS	Rs 1,011 Crore (Rs 10 billion)	Construction in EPC progress (87.1%). It has been established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna.	pmssy-mohfw.nic.in
Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited	07.12.2021	Inauguration of Gorakhpur Fertiliser Plant.	Rs 8,600 Crore (Rs 86 billion).	Completed.	pib.gov.in
New building of Regional Medical Research Centre of ICMR in Gorakhpur.	07.12.2021	Modi inaugurated the new building.		Completed.	rmrcgkp.icmr.org.in
Noida International Airport.	25.11.2021	Modi laid the foundation stone for the Jewar Noida International Airport.	Rs 30,000 Crore (rs 300 billion0	Estimated to be completed by September 2024.	pmindia.gov.in
Arjun Sahayak Project	19.11.2021	Modi dedicated various developmental projects in Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh.	Basic cost of project: Rs 806.50 crore/Rs 8.06 billion (Year 2009) Revised project cost: Rs 2,655.36 crore/Rs 26.55 billion (Rs 2593.93 crore/Rs 25.93 billion + Rs 61.43 crore/Rs 614 million GST) Total Expense till March 2021: Rs 2632.4135 crore/Rs 26.32 billion.	Year of project commencement: 2009-2010 Validity of completion of project: 06/2021	pmindia.gov.in
Ratauli Weir Project	19.11.2021	Modi dedicated various developmental projects in Mahoba.			pmindia.gov.in
Bhaoni Dam Project	19.11.2021	PM dedicated developmental projects in Mahoba.	Rs 218.16 crore (Rs 2.18 billion).	The Bhaoni dam is proposed to be constructed on the Sajnam river for providing irrigation. The work under this contract includes survey, investigation, design and dam spillway, gates, canals, and related structures	pmindia.gov.in
Majhgaon-Chilli Sprinkler Project.	19.11.2021	Modi dedicated developmental projects in Mahoba.			pmindia.gov.in
The cumulative cost of the above 4 projects is more than Rs 3,250 crore (Rs 32.50 billion) and their operationalisation will help in the irrigation of around 65,000 hectares of land in the districts of Mahoba, Hamirpur, Banda and Lalitpur, benefitting millions of farmers in the region.
Bharat Dynamics Ltd	19.11.2021	Modi lays foundation stone to set up a Bharat Dynamics Limited manufacturing unit at Jhansi in the UP Defence Corridor.	Rs 400 crore (Rs 4 billion).	BDL plans to commence operations by 2023, which would create employment opportunities for residents of the region.	bdl-india.in
Atal Ekta Park, Jhansi	19.11.2021	Modi inaugurated the 40,000 square metre Atal Ekta Park in Jhansi.	Rs 11 crore (Rs 110 million).	When complete it will also house a library as well as a statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee created by the renowned sculptor Ram Sutar.	pib.gov.in
600 MW Ultramega Solar Power Park	19.11.2021	Modi laid the foundation stone of the 600 MW Ultramega Solar Power Park at Garautha in Jhansi.	Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion)		pmindia.gov.in
Purvanchal Expressway	16.11.2021	Modi inaugurated Purvanchal Expressway.	Rs 22,494.66 crore/Rs 224 billion (including the cost of land).	Total length of fully access-controlled 6-lane expressway is 340.824 km. Starting Point: Chand Sarai village, located on the Lucknow-Sulyanpur road (National Highway-731), Lucknow. Ending Point: Near village Haidaria on National Highway-19, before 18 km of UP-Bihar border, in Ghazipur. Total length 340.824 km.	pmindia.gov
Kushinagar International Airport	20.10.2021	Modi inaugurates Kushinagar International Airport.	Rs 260 crore (Rs 2.6 billion).		pib.gov.in
Rajkiya Medical College, Kushinagar	20.10.2021	Modi lays the foundation stone for the Rajkiya Medical College, Kushinagar.	Rs 280 crore (Rs 2.8 billion).	The medical college will have a 500-bed hospital and provide admission to 100 students in the MBBS course from academic session 2022-2023.	pib.gov.in

With a month or so left for the Election Commission's Model Code of Conduct to kick in, observers wonder how many more projects will be pulled out of the government's hat.

Watch this space!

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