 "Navneet Sehgal")
The Agra-Lucknow Expressway, an ambitious project of the Uttar Pradesh government, is set to change the state's developmental scenario. Its extension from Lucknow to Ghazipur will also make transportation from one corner of the state to the other cheaper and faster, boosting business. The state government is also attracting investment in the tourism sector. Navneet Sehgal, CEO, UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority and Principal Secretary, Tourism, speaks to Siddharth Kalhans on initiatives taken by the state government to boost investment in expressways and tourism. Edited excerpts:
How are expressways helping in the development of UP?
The Yamuna Expressway joined the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and will now go up to Ghazipur via Lucknow, paving the way for development of the state. This will be the largest expressway in any state in India. After the completion of these expressways, going from one corner of UP to another will become much easier and this will boost industrial investment as well as job creation. Expressways will play a major role in the development of the state. The mantra given by our chief minister is 'double the speed and triple the growth'. These expressways will transform this mantra into reality.
When will the Agra-Lucknow Expressway be completed and what projects are coming up on both sides?
I expect it to be completed by October this year. The biggest achievement of this project was that there was no dispute with the farmers in acquiring land for it. Today there is not a single case pending in any court. The state government preferred to purchase the land by dealing directly with the farmers. They got a better price and posed no problem. It was a win-win situation for both farmers and the state government. Farmers agreed to give the land and the government took no time in paying them. This paved way for speedy construction and this is the first project in the recent past where work will be completed much before the deadline.
As far as development on both sides of the expressway is concerned, three modern mandis will be constructed and work has begun on the project. Besides, a film city will come up along it near Bangarmau in Unnao. The film city will be constructed through the private public partnership (PPP) mode and the state government has signed a MoU for it. Land has been identified and work will soon begin on this project. Also, there are possibilities of new townships and industrial cities on both sides of this expressway. Institutional plots will also be developed here.
Will the same model be adopted for the Lucknow-Ghazipur Expressway?
We will follow the same model for the Samajwadi Poorvanchal Expressway and successfully complete the task very soon. We will negotiate directly with the farmers and land will be purchased through mutual consent. Farmers will be paid four times the market rate for the land. The state government will try its best to start construction of this project by September this year. Construction of this expressway will also be on the EPC mode, which has been successful in the Agra-Lucknow Expressway.
What are the plans to attract investment in the tourism sector?
In the new tourism policy the state government has made good on the announcement to boost investment in this sector. Sops and rebates are being offered to investors. Those making new investments will be given incentives along with a cash subsidy. The state government has already announced a policy for heritage hotels and many old buildings are now turning themselves into heritage hotels. Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi will be joined through the Heritage Arc. The state government is also focusing on eco-tourism. Chambal, Dudhwa, Katerniaghat and Agra's Bird Sanctuary are on the state government's map.
What initiatives have been taken to provide better facilities to poor tourists and senior citizens?
The state government is working on a pro-poor tourism project and at the same time initiatives are being taken for senior citizens. In almost all places of religious importance, work is on to improve community services for poor tourists. So far, 4,000 senior citizens have been sent on Samajwadi Shrawan Yatras, in which all expenses are being borne by the state government and people are selected from every district of the state. Our plan is to organise this yatra every month from now on, with at least 1,000 senior citizens getting a chance to travel. So far we have sent people to Hardwar, Ajmer, Pushkar, Tirupati and Puri, and we will also be sending a group to Mumbai's Siddhi Vinayak Temple.
Tourists wanting to travel to smaller cities have problems.
We are going to provide air connectivity to smaller cities in the state very soon. Plans are ready and smaller cities like Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Agra, Allahabad and Meerut will be provided with air connectivity through PPP mode. In the first stage five cities will have this facility, where state government will rope in private airlines. This will be of great help to tourists.
What has happened to the plan for selling state-owned hotels and motels to private players?
Instead of selling these hotels and motels, the state government has started improving facilities and repairing them. The state government is also trying to hand over hotels and motels which are closed or in bad shape to private players to run. Our aim is to provide quality living facilities to tourists at an affordable cost. Very soon, in all the places of tourist importance the state government will have good hotels, motels and guest houses.
