Lucknow – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the second phase of the ambitious Green Corridor project in Lucknow, praising Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for transforming the city into a modern, world-class urban center. Speaking at the event, Singh emphasized that under Yogi’s leadership, development has moved beyond plans on paper to tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
The 28-kilometre Green Corridor, stretching from IIM Road to the Outer Ring Road, is expected to benefit nearly 1.5 million residents by easing traffic congestion and providing faster, smoother commuting across the city. The project, costing around ₹7,000 crore, was executed with environmental sensitivity: over 150 trees that stood in the corridor’s path were carefully relocated rather than cut down, setting an example of sustainable urban development.
Collaboration Between Civil and Defence Authorities
Rajnath Singh highlighted that the project utilised both civil and defence land, and that challenges related to land allocation were overcome through coordination. “When civil and defence authorities work together, the pace of development multiplies,” he said. He also noted that Lucknow’s growth is gaining international attention, with global observers impressed by the city’s infrastructure, governance, and heritage preservation.
World Recognition and Urban Transformation
The Defence Minister lauded Lucknow’s rise on the global stage, citing UNESCO’s recognition of the city as a “Creative City of Gastronomy.” He described Lucknow as one of the world’s most livable cities, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure. Singh credited the city’s transformation to the “double-engine” governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, noting the remarkable balance of heritage preservation and modern development.
Bulldozer Baba and Rapid Infrastructure Growth
Rajnath Singh referred to Yogi as “Bulldozer Baba,” acknowledging his efforts to clear land occupied by illegal structures to pave the way for development. Projects such as the 62-kilometre Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, soon to reduce travel time to 35–45 minutes, and the Ashok Leyland electric vehicle plant, generating thousands of jobs and promoting eco-friendly transport, were highlighted as examples of rapid progress.
Defence and Security Achievements
The Defence Minister emphasized the city’s strategic importance. With the Defence Corridor and BrahMos aerospace integration and testing facilities, Lucknow contributes significantly to national security. Singh cited Operation Sindur, in which BrahMos missiles manufactured in the region successfully targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan, as a demonstration of the city’s role in safeguarding the nation.
Focus on Cleanliness, Urban Planning, and Education
Singh also praised Yogi’s initiatives in sanitation, with waste management systems in place across households, improved sewage infrastructure, and a third-place national ranking in Swachh Survekshan 2025. Collaborative urban planning with the School of Planning and Architecture and Lucknow Development Authority is shaping the city’s master plan and state-capital region development, blending cultural heritage with modern urban design. Singh added that the Chief Minister’s recent visits to Singapore and Japan would accelerate Lucknow’s development by incorporating international urban planning expertise without compromising the city’s identity.
With these initiatives, Lucknow is emerging as a global benchmark for urban development, combining heritage, modern infrastructure, and sustainable growth.
