GORAKHPUR, Feb 13: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that programmes for the poor and economically weaker sections, as well as the middle-income group, will now have access to five-star facilities through Kalyan Mandapams.
Speaking at the inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremony organised by the Municipal Corporation in Khorabar township, where he dedicated development projects worth Rs 103 crore, the CM said, “Today marks the inauguration of Gorakhpur’s first Kalyan Mandapam and within the next few months, seven more will be completed.”
Notably, he has allocated funds from his MLA fund for the construction of five of these Kalyan Mandapams. He also directed the Municipal Corporation to offer Kalyan Mandapam bookings to its employees and sanitation workers for just Rs 11,000.
Alongside inaugurating the city’s first Kalyan Mandapam, built at a cost of Rs 4.71 crore in the newly created Khorabar ward, Yogi also inaugurated a gas-based animal crematorium worth Rs 4.55 crore, the drain construction project from Mahadevpuram to Phase 2 (pumping station) in Ramgarh Tal at Rs 2.46 crore, a road project from Ekla Dam to the Animal Crematorium (Carcass Plant) at Rs 68 lakh, and the shed construction at Kanha Gaushala in Mahewa for Rs 97 lakh.
With a total of Rs 26.31 crore allocated for these completed projects, he also laid the foundation stone for additional development projects worth Rs 76.40 crore.
Highlighting the significance of Kalyan Mandapam, the CM emphasised that its inauguration marks a new era in civic amenities. He said that while those with financial means can organise events in hotels and grand lawns, economically weaker sections often lack suitable venues.
He said, “To address this, Municipal Corporations and Development Authorities were directed to set up Kalyan Mandapams, dedicated spaces where weddings and auspicious ceremonies for the poor, lower, and middle-income groups can be held with ease.”
Yogi said that the Kalyan Mandapam features a spacious auditorium, dormitory, six rooms, a kitchen and a well-maintained lawn. He described it as a permanent asset for economically weaker sections, ensuring five-star facilities for their special occasions.
Highlighting the extensive development initiatives being introduced for Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation and other urban bodies, he said, “Among these, one of the most significant projects is the animal crematorium, which will effectively address the issue of animal body disposal and provide relief from foul odours.”
He said that beautification efforts for the iconic clock tower are underway while preserving Gorakhpur’s historical identity. “Simultaneously, multi-level parking is being constructed at Shaheed Bandhu Singh Park, adjacent to Ghantaghar, to ease traffic congestion. Work is also progressing rapidly on park development, road widening and drainage projects. Once the Godhdhoiya Nala project is completed, the city will be free from the recurring problem of water logging,” he said.
The CM also highlighted an innovative initiative where contaminated water flowing into the Rapti river is being purified using indigenous methods, making it suitable for agricultural use.
Urging citizens to actively participate in Vikas Yatra and adopt a strong commitment to cleanliness, he referenced the Swachhata Comic, launched on the occasion. He reminded the audience that for four decades, eastern UP, including Gorakhpur, had suffered significant loss of life due to poor sanitation.
He pointed out that garbage accumulation, pond encroachments and clogged drains had contributed to large-scale deaths from encephalitis. “However, due to the Swachh Bharat Mission, public awareness, and the efforts of the double-engine government, encephalitis has now been completely eradicated,” he said.
Yogi urged people to continue prioritising cleanliness and take a pledge to eliminate single-use plastic. He emphasised that affordable housing for every income group is becoming a reality through the Medicity/Township project in Khorabar, where EWS (Economically Weaker Sections), LIG (Low Income Group), MIG (Middle Income Group) and HIG (High Income Group) houses are being developed.
He informed that a two-bedroom house with a dining hall, kitchen, and bathroom costs Rs 28 lakh, while a LIG house is priced around Rs 16 lakh, and similar price reductions will be applied to EWS houses, making them even more accessible.
During the programme, Yogi felicitated sanitation workers for their outstanding contributions by presenting them with certificates and gifts. He also extended financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to the father of a deceased sanitation worker.
(UNI)
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