Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a significant step towards preserving the cultural and historical identity of religious cities in the state. During a review of the GIS-based Master Plan-2031 for key cities like Gorakhpur, Varanasi, and Mathura-Vrindavan, Adityanath directed authorities to cease approving multi-story buildings around prestigious temples.
Antiquity and Historicity:
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining the antiquity and historicity of religious cities, Adityanath underscored that these cities are often identified by their temples and other iconic structures. To safeguard their cultural heritage, he urged that high-rise constructions should not be permitted near these revered sites.
Traffic Management and Sustainable Development:
In addition to heritage conservation, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the crucial issue of traffic management in urban areas. He advocated for prioritizing electric buses within the cities and suggested keeping conventional fuel buses out as much as possible. Adityanath also stressed the need to allocate suitable spaces for multilevel parking to streamline urban mobility.
Strategic City Planning:
CM Yogi Adityanath acknowledged the vast potential in every major city of the state and highlighted the significant investments that have poured into each district in 2023. He urged the development authorities to move forward systematically by clearly demarcating areas for Medicity, Sports City, Education City, Convention Centers, etc., in the master plans of Mathura-Vrindavan, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi.
Green Spaces and Sustainable Growth:
Ensuring green spaces in city planning remained a key aspect of Adityanath’s directives. He mandated that 15-16 percent of each city’s master plan should be reserved for green areas. In areas designated as green belts, he insisted that no new colonies should be established under any circumstances.
Role of the Housing Sector:
Highlighting the housing sector’s pivotal role in the state’s economic growth, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stressed the importance of providing all basic facilities, including roads, sewerage, electricity, and water, in newly developed colonies. He envisioned new townships near special economic zones and industrial areas, aiming for a sustainable and robust housing sector that contributes significantly to the state’s economy.
Development with Caution:
CM Yogi Adityanath concluded by urging local bodies to ensure that illegal settlements are not established anywhere, emphasizing a cautious approach to development that aligns with the overall vision of preserving Uttar Pradesh’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
