LUCKNOW, May 30: In a push to accelerate defence manufacturing in Uttar Pradesh, the state government is preparing to take the Agra and Aligarh nodes of the Defence Corridor to the next stage of development, official sources said here on Friday.
Sources said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, UP is not only shaping its identity as an ‘Uttam Pradesh’ but also emerging as a key player in fulfilling the country’s defence needs and boosting the ‘Make in India’ campaign.
Sources said that as part of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), efforts are underway to establish a robust defence manufacturing framework. “In this direction, the development of internal infrastructure in the Agra and Aligarh nodes is progressing rapidly,” they said.
Sources said that treating CM Yogi’s vision as a mission, the UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has chalked out a detailed plan. “According to UPEIDA’s action plan, internal infrastructure in Agra will be developed over 123.13 hectares for Rs 120.98 crore. In Aligarh (Phase-2), infrastructure will be developed across 87.89 hectares with an investment of Rs 64.31 crore,” they said.
Sources said that in total, both nodes will see construction and development works completed across 211.02 hectares within the next 12 months, at an estimated cost of Rs 185.30 crore. “According to the action plan, the project work will be carried out in EPC mode,” they said.
It may be noted that UPDIC is an ambitious project of the double-engine government, aimed at promoting self-reliance in the defence sector. This corridor spans six major nodes, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Agra, Aligarh and Chitrakoot, which are all connected through a strong transport network.
Recently, the BrahMos missile manufacturing unit was inaugurated in Lucknow, built with an investment of Rs 300 crore. Besides, the Aligarh node has attracted investment proposals worth several thousand crores, including projects for drone and advanced warfare systems manufacturing.
Sources said that as per UPEIDA’s plan, the upcoming works in Agra and Phase-2 of Aligarh will include the development of internal roads, building blocks and other key facilities. “These include construction of 24-meter and 18-meter wide roads, culverts, road signage, fire stations, guard rooms, entry gates, pump rooms, overhead water tanks, borewells, drainage systems, boundary walls, proper lighting, and electrification among other infrastructure components,” they said.
(UNI)
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