Punjab Newsline | Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday approved 18 proposals during a meeting held at the Chief Minister's official residence on Kalidas Marg in Lucknow. The decisions include approval for two new expressways, the Sambhal report, and several major initiatives in higher education and women's welfare.
Cabinet gave the green light to the 333-km Prayagraj–Sonbhadra Expressway, a project estimated to cost ₹26,000 crore, aimed at improving connectivity in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
It also approved the 117-km Vindhya–Purvanchal Link Greenfield Expressway, which will connect with the Purvanchal Expressway. The project has an estimated cost of ₹9,039 crore, including ₹5,628 crore for construction and funding for the acquisition of 1,731 hectares of land. The expressway will pass through Ghazipur, Mirzapur, and Chandauli districts.
Another proposal approved was a 1.18-km diversion on the Purvanchal Expressway to avoid densely populated residential areas. Officials said the modification would not increase the overall project cost.
Among the education-related decisions, the Cabinet approved the Rani Lakshmibai Scooty Scheme, under which the top five female students of every college in the state will receive scooters. The government has allocated ₹400 crore for the scheme, which is expected to benefit around 50,000 students.
Cabinet also approved proposals to establish research chairs (Shodh Peeths) in universities under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to promote India's traditional knowledge systems. Universities will be eligible for funding of up to ₹2 crore, while colleges can receive up to ₹1 crore. The funds will be invested as fixed deposits, with the interest used for academic activities. Institutions over 50 years old with at least 5,000 students will be eligible, and CSR contributions may also be utilised.
Additionally, approval was granted for the construction of a new women's hostel at Basant Mahila Vishwavidyalaya in Varanasi. The hostel, to be built at a cost of ₹2.48 crore, will accommodate 112 students, expanding the university's existing residential facilities.
