Now, UP cities to be monitored on basis of green initiatives
LUCKNOW The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Friday approved the urban green policy aimed at driving sustainable, eco-friendly growth in urban local bodies. Under this, a green city monitoring system will be developed to evaluate and award green star ratings to cities based on their environmental efforts and green infrastructure. The policy will give new shape to cities with development of vertical and rooftop gardens besides Miyawaki forests. (Pic for representation)
The policy will give new shape to cities with development of vertical and rooftop gardens besides Miyawaki forests.
The state cabinet by circulation approved the proposal, which was a revolutionary step for environment conservation in accordance with the vision of chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The urban green policy was an important step in the direction of environment conservation and help reduce the impact of climate change, said an official spokesman.
The objective of the policy is to boost green initiatives and efforts for sustainable and inclusive development. 'This policy will be a game changer and targeted intervention for urban greening,' said principal secretary Amrit Abhijat.
Under the provisions of the policy, a three-tier strategy would be adopted to boost green initiatives at the level of cities, localities and buildings. Mini dense forests would be developed expeditiously in urban areas through the Miyawaki forest concept. At the same time, green fairs would be organised in cities to boost green initiatives and develop green belts, sponge parks and low emission zones.
At the locality level, schemes would be worked out for development of community gardens, pocket parks and adoption of parks. Green building standards would be made mandatory for construction of new buildings with use of environment friendly material, energy saving technology and green roofs would be encouraged.
The policy provides for financial assistance with coordination between the centre and the state government. The financial assistance may be procured from Amrut 2.0, national clean air programme, central and state finance commissions. Besides, urban local bodies may mobilise their own resources and also get funds from CSR and other sources.
The policy paves way for setting up of green city monitoring framework and the state's cities will be ranked as green +, green ++ and green +++ on the basis of green initiatives, and cities with high rankings will get awards.
The policy will be implemented in three phases. In the first phase (2025-2027), it will focus on smart cities and main metropolitan towns. In the second phase (2027-2030), cities with a population of 1 lakh and above will be covered. The policy will be implemented in nagar palikas and nagar panchayats in the third phase after 2030.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
Rs 8,000 crore plan in works to clean Yamuna, fix drainage: Delhi CM
The Delhi government is currently working on more than 300 projects, allocated an outlay of Rs 8,000 crore, to clean Yamuna River and solve the city's sewage woes, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Friday. Gupta held a meeting with Water Minister Parvesh Verma and top Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials to review the work underway to fix the drainage and sewer system in the city. "The Delhi government is implementing a multi-pronged and phased plan for Yamuna rejuvenation, which includes drain treatment, sewerage network expansion and setting up of modern Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)," the chief minister said in a statement. In the meeting, according to the statement, she reviewed a 45-point action plan, which included capacity enhancement and upgradation work at existing STPs located in Yamuna Vihar, Okhla, Keshopur, Vasant Kunj, Ghitorni, Mehrauli, and Molarbandh under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme and one each in Nilothi and Pappan Kalan. Gupta directed officials to replace old pipelines in phases. "Many parts of Delhi are still operating on decades-old water and sewer pipelines, which are no longer sustainable due to rapid urban growth and increasing demand. Officials have been instructed to undertake phase-wise planning and use modern technology to replace old infrastructure," she said. According to officials, the 303 drainage projects involve redevelopment of major drains, permanent solutions for waterlogging, installation of modern pumps, de-silting of drains, expansion of stormwater systems, and scientific drainage network management. Gupta said she will personally visit the Yamuna every month to check the progress in its cleaning. She also claimed that Delhi will soon become a 'model' city in terms of equitable water distribution under the Centre's Har Ghar Nal Se Jal initiative. Verma stated that strict directions have been issued for immediate action against the illegal discharge of untreated sewage and industrial waste in the city. "This is a crisis that can no longer be ignored. Delhi cannot afford to let untreated sewage flow into its lifelines. No polluter will be spared. We will act and act fast," he said.
India Gazette
8 hours ago
- India Gazette
Agra: ASI waives off entry fee for Taj Mahal on International Yoga Day
Agra (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 21 (ANI): On the ocassion of the 11th International Day of Yoga, which is being celebrated on Saturday, entry to the iconic Agra's Taj Mahal is completely free. The Archaeological Survey of India, which is responsible for maintaining ancient monuments and archaeological sites, has waived the entry fee for the Taj Mahal. The ASI typically waives the entry fee to the Taj Mahal on special occasions such as World Heritage Day, celebrated on April 18th, and during Urs, Shah Jahan's death anniversary. But on the eve of International Day of Yoga, they have made entry to the Taj Mahal free, bringing cultural and wellness together. Along with the Taj Mahal, entry to several other historical monuments, such as Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra, and Etmad-ud-Daula, is free. On the International Day of Yoga, people are participating in yoga events all over India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed Yoga in in Visakhapatnam and urged the international community to embrace 'inner peace' as a 'global policy' and make yoga a collective global responsibility. Speaking at the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations, the Prime Minister called upon countries to adopt yoga not just as a personal or cultural practice, but as a unifying force for humanity. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also joined the International Day of Yoga and performed Yoga in Gorakhpur on Saturday. While addressing the public, Yogi Adityanath said, 'Today, Yoga Day is being celebrated in Gorakhpur. The local minister, MPs, other public representatives, and all the brothers and sisters here are participating. I welcome everyone. This program is happening not just here, but across the country and the world. In Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is spreading the message of yoga. On the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day, I send my warm wishes to everyone.' Yogi said that yoga builds spiritual strength and is India's gift to the world. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for getting global recognition for yoga. He also wished everyone good health and happiness on the occasion. The 11th International Day of Yoga saw widespread participation across states. (ANI)
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Uttar Pradesh to hold 62% of India's expressway network after Ganga Expressway inauguration
Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh is set to become the dominant state in India's expressway infrastructure, holding 62% of the country's expressway network following the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway by the end of 2025. The Ganga Expressway, a 594 km long, six-lane (expandable to eight lanes) access-controlled expressway, will connect Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh to Prayagraj in the east. This will significantly boost connectivity across the state. Currently, with the Gorakhpur Link Expressway added, UP's share has risen to 42%, up from 38%. This marks a big leap in access-controlled expressway development across India. Ganga Expressway: A game changer for Uttar Pradesh's expressway network The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is building the Ganga Expressway. It will cut travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from 10–12 hours to just 6–8 hours. The expressway will pass through 12 districts and 518 villages. It will include 28 flyovers, 381 underpasses, and 126 small bridges. These features will improve road infrastructure and boost connectivity. The expressway will also link with major routes like the Purvanchal and Bundelkhand Expressways, making Uttar Pradesh's expressway network even stronger. Uttar Pradesh's expressway network growth and economic impact Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that Uttar Pradesh is changing from a 'BIMARU' state to an expressway state. The Ganga Expressway plays a key role in this change. At present, the state holds 42% of India's expressway network. Once the Ganga Expressway is complete, this share will rise to 62%. This will make Uttar Pradesh the top state in expressway infrastructure. The expansion will boost the economy, improve logistics, and promote tourism and trade in the region. Key features of the Ganga Expressway Length: 594 km (Meerut to Prayagraj) Lanes: Six-lane, expandable to eight lanes Connectivity: Links western and eastern Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure: 28 flyovers, 381 underpasses, 126 small bridges Special facilities: Emergency landing strip for fighter jets and helicopters Integration: Connects with Purvanchal and Bundelkhand Expressways Upcoming Expressways in Uttar Pradesh Ganga Expressway (594 km) Ballia Link Expressway (35 km) Lucknow-Kanpur Greenfield Expressway (63 km) Chitrakoot Link Expressway connecting Bundelkhand and Purvanchal A link expressway to Jewar Airport These roads are designed to improve regional connectivity across the Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, and Terai regions. UP's Roadmap: 2,000+ Km of Expressway Plans The government is working on a plan for an expressway network exceeding 2,000 km. These roads will not just serve big cities but also rural and remote regions. The Uttar Pradesh expressway network is becoming the backbone of India's road infrastructure. With ongoing projects and strategic planning, the state is paving the way for faster travel, trade, and development. FAQs 1. When will the Ganga Expressway be inaugurated? Answer: The Ganga Expressway is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the end of 2025. 2. How will the Ganga Expressway impact travel time in Uttar Pradesh? Answer: It will reduce travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from 10-12 hours to about 6-8 hours, significantly improving connectivity. 3. What percentage of India's expressway network will Uttar Pradesh hold after the Ganga Expressway opens? Answer: Uttar Pradesh will hold 62% of India's expressway network, up from the current 42%, making it the state with the largest expressway infrastructure in the country. 4. Which districts will the Ganga Expressway pass through? Answer: The expressway will pass through 12 districts including Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj. 5. What are the special features of the Ganga Expressway? Answer: Besides being a six-lane expressway expandable to eight lanes, it includes 28 flyovers, 381 underpasses, 126 small bridges, and a 3.5 km emergency runway for fighter jets and helicopters. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
