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India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
UP Govt advisor Awanish Awasthi visits Vrindavan, holds talks over opposition to Banke Bihari corridor
Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) [India] June 6 (ANI): Awanish Awasthi, advisor to the Uttar Pradesh government and former Chief Secretary, arrived in Vrindavan on Friday to address the ongoing opposition to the Banke Bihari Temple Corridor project. Awasthi began his visit by holding a meeting with officials to review the situation. He then visited the Banke Bihari Temple, where he performed the Dehri Pujan and offered Itr Seva. Following the rituals, he met with the temple's Goswami Sevayats to discuss the project, the resistance it has faced, and the potential benefits it could bring. After the discussions with the Goswamis, Awasthi's convoy proceeded to the Tourist Facility Centre (TFC) in Vrindavan, where he is currently holding a meeting with representatives from various sections of the local community to address concerns and deliberate on the corridor project. Earlier on May 27, the Supreme Court slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for 'hijacking' the litigation between two private parties over management of the Shri Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma said that if the state government starts entering into private disputes between parties, it will result in a 'breakdown of the rule of law. The bench asked the counsel appearing for the state, 'Was the state a party to the proceedings? In what capacity has the state entered the dispute? If states start entering into private disputes between parties, it will break the rule of law. You can't hijack the litigation. In private litigation between two parties, a state filing an impleadment application and hijacking it is not permissible.' The apex court's observation came while hearing a petition seeking the modification of its order permitting the Uttar Pradesh government to utilise funds from the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan to purchase five acres of land around the temple for corridor development. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioner Devendra Nath Gooswami, told the bench that a fund of Rs 300 crore has been given to the Uttar Pradesh government without making him a party. 'They can't take away the funds of a private temple,' said Sibal. On the other hand, counsel appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government told the bench the state has passed an Ordinance and set up a trust to manage the Banke Bihari temple and oversee work on the proposed corridor. 'Now, the enactment has come into force. Funds are with the Trust, not with the state. This enforcement will dilute the direction of the apex court. The state is not using the funds. The Ordinance bars the state from implementing the court's direction, and the Ordinance says the Trust will manage funds and the state has no role to play,' said the counsel of Uttar Pradesh. The apex court then directed the counsel for the state government to place on record a copy of the Ordinance passed concerning the Trust. It directed the concerned Principal Secretary to file an affidavit by July 29. The petition filed by Gooswami said he was a 'lineal descendant' of the temple's founder, Swami Hari Das Goswami, and his family had been managing the affairs of the sacred temple for the last 500 years. He said he actively managed the temple's daily religious and administrative affairs. In filing the plea, he said the implementation of the proposed redevelopment project was practically unfeasible, and any attempt to redevelop the temple premises without the involvement and input of those who were historically and operationally associated with the temple's functioning was likely to result in administrative chaos. On May 15, the top court had permitted the state to use the Trust's fund and also allowed the use of Sri Banke Bihari Temple Trust's fixed deposits after taking into note the state government's Rs. 500 crore development plan for the corridor. (ANI)
News18
01-05-2025
- General
- News18
'Runway For National Security': UP Becomes First Indian State To Feature 4 Airstrips On Its Expressways
The airstrip on Ganga Expressway will have advanced lighting and navigation systems to facilitate night landings of fighter aircraft, a first for any road runway in India. With the Ganga Expressway now featuring a dedicated airstrip capable of facilitating night landings for fighter jets, Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India to have four operational airstrips on its expressways. This development reinforces the state's leadership in expressway-led growth and defence synergy. 'This is not just a road. This is a lifeline for development and a runway for national security," said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his visit to the airstrip site in Shahjahanpur district. He emphasised that the Ganga Expressway, a 594-kilometre long greenfield project connecting Meerut to Prayagraj, will not only connect cities and people but also link aspirations with action and security with speed. The expressway promises to significantly reduce travel time across western and eastern UP and is set to make history as the first expressway in the country where fighter jets can land at night. This capability is crucial for wartime readiness and disaster response. Night Landing: A National First The airstrip, being constructed over 3.2 kilometres of the expressway, is designed with modern aviation-grade specifications. It will be equipped with advanced lighting and navigation systems to facilitate night landings of Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft, a first for any road runway in India. Officials with the UP Government stated that the Ganga Expressway will feature CAT II Instrument Landing System (ILS) equipment, precision approach lighting, and reinforced pavement strength to withstand aircraft weight. 'Night landing on a road airstrip is a complex engineering challenge requiring stringent specifications, and we are proud that Ganga Expressway will set a new benchmark in the country," said Awanish Awasthi, advisor to the CM and former Additional Chief Secretary (Home), who has closely overseen the expressway projects. Four Strategic Airstrips – A First in India The Ganga Expressway joins the elite list of UP expressways with integrated airstrips, following the successful establishment of airstrips on the Agra–Lucknow Expressway (Unnao district), Purvanchal Expressway (Amethi district), and Bundelkhand Expressway (Jalaun district). In October 2017, the Agra–Lucknow Expressway witnessed the historic landing of six IAF jets, including the Mirage-2000 and Sukhoi-30 MKI, on a specially developed stretch in Bangarmau, Unnao. This event marked a significant milestone in India's effort to develop highway airstrips, inspired by military road runways in countries like Germany, Sweden, and China. The momentum continued with the inauguration of the Purvanchal Expressway in November 2021, where a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft made a dramatic touchdown during its launch event in Sultanpur, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Bundelkhand Expressway, inaugurated in 2022, became the third such expressway in the state to feature an airstrip. With the addition of the Shahjahanpur airstrip on the Ganga Expressway, Uttar Pradesh has firmly established its 'four-runway model" for expressway development, a rare feat not yet matched by any other state in the country. 'This model will serve as a blueprint for other states. The integration of airstrips into civilian expressways not only enhances military preparedness but also ensures rapid response during disasters like earthquakes or floods," said Lt Gen (Retd) Anil Kumar Bhatt, former Director General of Military Operations. A Highway to Progress and Security Once completed, the Ganga Expressway will pass through 12 districts and is expected to reduce the travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from 11 hours to just 6 hours. The project, developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), is also designed to support economic corridors, logistics hubs, and industrial clusters. The Rs 36,230 crore mega project is being executed in two phases. The first phase covers Meerut to Prayagraj (594 km), while the second phase will extend to Haridwar and Varanasi, enhancing connectivity to pilgrimage sites. More than 90 per cent of the land acquisition has already been completed, and the expressway is slated for partial opening by the end of 2025. 'This expressway will bring prosperity to every farmer, trader, youth, and pilgrim. From agriculture to industry, from tourism to defense, this road will power every engine of growth," said UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his recent visit to Ganga Expressway, highlighting its role in boosting development in the state. top videos View all The CM also praised the state's infrastructure achievements over the last seven years. 'From two expressways in 2017 to a network of more than 1,800 kilometre of high-speed expressways in 2025 — this is the new Uttar Pradesh. This is the double engine government delivering double speed results," he asserted. With multiple expressways like the Yamuna Expressway, Agra–Lucknow Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, and now the Ganga Expressway, the state has emerged as the logistics and infrastructure hub of northern India. As the CM's convoy rolled past the near-complete stretch in Shahjahanpur, the roar of fighter jets landing at night no longer seemed a distant dream. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Ganga Expressway uttar pradesh Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: May 01, 2025, 10:31 IST News india 'Runway For National Security': UP Becomes First Indian State To Feature 4 Airstrips On Its Expressways
