Question.
What are the constraints in the development of infrastructural projects in Uttar Pradesh? Explain the steps taken by the state government to remove the constraints.
( UPPSC, UP PCS Mains General Studies-III/GS-3 2021)
Answer.
Infrastructure development is key for the movement of goods and passengers, economic growth, and development of any region. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state of India and the fourth largest state in terms of area after Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. However, infrastructure sectors like roads, highways, railways, airports, canals, Pipeway, and housing are not much developed in the states, which hampers the economic growth of the state.
Recently,
Natural Gas Pipeline has been connected to eastern Uttar Pradesh ( Varanasi) under the Urja Ganga Pipeline Project.
The "Saryu Canal Nation project" was completed in December 2021, it was started about four decades ago[ in 1978]. It will provide irrigation to 14 lakh hectares of land in nine districts[ Gorakhpur, Balrampur, Bahraich, Shravasti, etc.]
There are many highways and expressways whose construction has already been completed, like Yamuna Expressways, Agra- Lucknow expressways, Delhi- Meeruth expressways, Puruvaanchal Expressway, etc; some highways and expressways are in under construction mode, like Ganga Expressways and Delhi- Saharanpur - Dehradun expressways.
The state of Uttar Pradesh faced several constraints in the development of infrastructure projects, some of the constraints are as follows-
Budgetary constraint; The Uttar Pradesh government has limited funds for the development of infrastructure development.
Land Acquisition; As we know Uttar Pradesh has the largest agricultural land in the country and the acquisition of land for infrastructure is a major challenge in Uttar Pradesh as there are various legal hurdles and time-consuming bureaucratic procedures. There are over 350 projects have been delayed under the provision of the Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, of 2013.
Technical Capacity; The state lacks the technical expertise to undertake complex infrastructure projects, which leads to delays in completion, and it also increases the cost.
Lack of regulatory framework; The State also lacks a regulatory framework for the governance of infrastructure projects.
However, the following step has been taken by Uttar Pradesh to remove the constraints-
Land pooling policy: The Uttar Pradesh government approved the land pooling policy in February 2019, with the aim to fast-track land acquisition for governmental infrastructure projects. Under the land pooling policy, now only the consent of 60 % of land owners is required,; earlier it was 80 %.
PPP model; The state government has partnered with various financial institutions under the PPP model to overcome the financial constraint.
Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA); The Government has established UPEIDA to undertake the development of expressways and other infrastructure projects.
Infrastructure development policy; The Uttar Pradesh government has established the Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure and Industrial Development Policy to provide a roadmap for infrastructure development in the state.
In conclusion, Uttar Pradesh has taken several steps to overcome the constraints in the development of infrastructure projects. Due to this, Uttar Pradesh is now one of the fastest-growing states in the field of infrastructure development. Ganga Expressway, Yamuna Expressways, and Puruvachal Expressways are examples of excellent implementation of infrastructure projects in the state.
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