The Purvanchal Expressway Scheme is all set to be implemented as the Uttar Pradesh government has approved the proposal regarding the project by various builders. The longest expressway in India will be constructed through Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model.

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting presided by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday (10 July). Five bidders won the contract as the tender process was completed yesterday.

UP government's spokesperson said that the project will be completed in three years and will be opened to the public in 2021.

It is also called the Lucknow-Azamgarh-Ballia Expressway and is proposed to be an eight-lane, 343 km long. The expressway will connect Lucknow to Ballia and will pass through Barabanki, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Mau and Ghazipur districts and will terminate at Haidaria in Ghazipur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Expressway on 14 July.

“The scheme (Purvanchal Expressway Pariyojana) will give a boost to agriculture, commerce, tourism and industries besides social and economic development in the areas through which it will pass. On the proposed expressway, an air-strip will be constructed in Sultanpur district so as to facilitate landing of IAF aircraft in emergency situations,” a spokesperson of UP government said.

The UP Cabinet also approved the formation of the UP Maati Kala Board.

“The board will work as an autonomous unit for welfare of artisans and craftsmen working in pottery, increasing their business, conservation of this craft, technical development and facilitating marketing of products,” the spokesperson added.

The state Cabinet also approved hike in the monthly pension given to the Loktantra Senani (people who were imprisoned during Emergency under MISA and DIR as political prisoners) and their dependents from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000.

* With inputs from PTI