Regional plan for six districts to be prepared after Executive Committee approval
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh State Capital Region (UPSCR) has crossed its first major milestone with the review committee approving its base map at a meeting held at the Parijat Auditorium of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant.
The proposal will now be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval, following which work on preparing the regional plan for the UPSCR will begin.
LDA Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar said the State Capital Region is being developed by bringing together six districts—Lucknow, Sitapur, Unnao, Hardoi, Barabanki and Raebareli. The region covers a total area of 26,741 square kilometres. A GIS-based regional master plan is being prepared for the UPSCR, under which 30 projects have been identified across transportation and mobility, economy, infrastructure and tourism.
The proposed connectivity projects include the Rajya Rajdhani Mala regional road, an elevated peripheral road and road upgradation works aimed at improving connectivity among the six districts. Other proposed projects include a transport nagar, an orbital rail corridor and expansion of the metro network.
To strengthen the regional economy, projects such as industrial development, logistics parks, food parks and Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway corridor-oriented development have also been identified.
22-Member Committee Gives Consent
Prathamesh Kumar said the base map for the UPSCR was prepared after seeking feedback from 22 institutions, including the concerned development authorities, Revenue Department, Public Works Department, Railways, Forest Department, municipal corporations, Irrigation Department and the Uttar Pradesh Town and Country Planning Department.
All the departments examined the base map and conveyed their consent. During Tuesday’s review committee meeting, the map was presented and subsequently approved.
Investment and Employment Opportunities Expected to Grow
The LDA Vice-Chairman said the approved base map would next be placed before the UPSCR Executive Committee for final approval. Once approved, the regional plan will be prepared.
He said the development of the UPSCR is expected to attract investment and create new employment and business opportunities. Improved urban facilities would reach rural areas, enabling people to find better opportunities for residence, business and employment closer to their homes.
High-speed connectivity between the districts is also expected to reduce migration by improving access to jobs and services within the region.
Satellite Data Verified Through Ground Truthing
To establish the authenticity of the UPSCR base map, ground truthing was carried out across all six districts. The consultant, along with the concerned government departments, verified data obtained from satellite images and maps by conducting physical inspections at different locations.
A total of 2,239 locations underwent ground truthing during the exercise.
Additional District Magistrate Rakesh Singh, Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Srivastava, Additional Secretary C.P. Tripathi, Chief Town Planner K.K. Gautam and other officials and consultants attended the meeting.
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