Travel time from Ballia to Delhi or Noida will come down to eight hours: Navneet Sehgal

Interview with Head of the UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's dream project, the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, is estimated to cost nearly Rs 15,000 crore, and touted to be the largest such project in India that will be completely funded by a state government. The government also wants to build an expressway from Ballia to Lucknow. It will provide a direct link between Ballia on the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border and Greater Noida, through the already-operational Yamuna Expressway. Navneet Sehgal, head of the UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority, the nodal agency for these projects, speaks to Virendra Singh Rawat about the future plans. Edited excerpts:

What is the present status of the Agra-Lucknow Expressway?

The work is progressing fast. Most irritants have been removed. Since the chief minister and the chief secretary are personally involved, our morale is high. We are meeting timelines. The companies that have contracts have provided no scope for complaints. We are confident of completing the project on time.

How are you managing land acquisition, a major hurdle in such projects?

The best part is that we have not yet faced any such hurdle. We have already acquired 95 per cent of the required land. The remaining will be acquired this month itself.

Which industries are proposed to be set up along the expressway?

The project will boost industrial development in a dozen districts. Kisan mandis and food processing industries will flank the expressway. We have divided the entire project into five parts. The contract for each part has been given to a different company. Each part has a unique strength; that will dictate which industry comes up beside it.

Is the state planning to extend the project beyond Lucknow?

Considering its success, the state has decided to extend it to Ballia. Another expressway - a 346-km one - will connect Ballia. Once this is completed, people will be able to travel from Delhi or Noida to Ballia in eight hours.

When will the work on the proposed Lucknow-Ballia expressway begin?

Our chief minister's mantra is: "Double the speed, treble the economy". We are working on this principle. The work on the Lucknow-Ballia expressway will be taken up in parts. We shall soon start the process of tendering select advisors. Things will start moving this year itself.

Has the state government also received proposals to set up film cities in places other than Noida?

Famous Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan recently met the chief minister and put forward a proposal. The government could provide a suitable place for a film city project in the proposed Trans-Ganga industrial town between Kanpur and Unnao districts. This project will boost film-making in Lucknow and neighbouring areas. The efforts of the state to create a conducive climate for filmmakers in UP will get an impetus. Besides, a group of NRIs have proposed setting up a film city along the Agra-Lucknow expressway; this is being considered by the government.

There are talks that the state government is getting ready for facilitating free pilgrimage to the senior citizens?

This unique initiative is called Shravan Kumar Samajwadi Teerth Yatra. The state will make arrangements for stay, travel and food of pilgrims during such tours. Under this scheme, we are taking 1,044 pilgrims to Haridwar and Rishikesh in the first phase. In the next phase, we will take them to other places. The state is, since 2013, already providing assistance to pilgrims going for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This year, we will give Rs 50,000 each to 43 people travelling to the Kailash Mansarovar.