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Expressing concern over the growing water crisis, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday directed officials to turn the construction and restoration of check dams and ponds into a mass movement on the lines of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. Chairing a review meeting of the Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply (Minor Irrigation) department, he said such structures are a national necessity, offering cost-effective water conservation and groundwater recharge compared to large dams, the UP government said in a statement. Adityanath informed that 6,448 check dams have been built across seasonal rivers and streams, creating irrigation potential for 1.28 lakh hectares and recharging over 10,000 hectare-metres of groundwater annually. Since 2022-23, 1,002 check dams have been de-silted, while 1,343 ponds out of 16,610 have been redeveloped. Between 2017 and 2025, 6,192 blast coupes were constructed, providing irrigation for 18,576 hectares. He further directed that ...
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday delivered a sharp rebuke following the clashes between police and locals in Bareilly on Friday, stating that the state government has sent a firm message that disruptions to law and order will not be tolerated. The comments, made while speaking at a 'Viksit UP' event of a media house, appear to be directed at cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, chief of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, who had initially called for a protest in support of the "I Love Muhammad" campaign. "Yesterday, a Maulana forgot who is in power in the state," Adityanath said, without taking any names. "He thought he could halt the system whenever he wanted, but we made it clear that there would be neither a roadblock nor a curfew. However, the lesson we have taught will make future generations think twice before rioting," he said. The chief minister questioned the intent behind the public gathering. "What kind of way is this to halt the system? This was the trend in UP before 2017, b
The Uttar Pradesh government is set to plant more than 12.5 crore saplings in the state under the MGNREGA scheme following the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. According to the state government, the aim is not only to enhance greenery but also to generate large-scale rural employment. This year's plantation drive will be carried out under the theme 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0', blending ecological responsibility with emotional and cultural sentiment by encouraging people to dedicate a tree to their mothers, it said. The highest 42 lakh saplings would be planted in Lakhimpur Kheri, followed by Sonbhadra and Hardoi. A total of 1.89 lakh plantation sites have been identified across the state, with plant species selected based on local climatic and geographical conditions. The initiative ensures that plantation efforts are sustainable and tailored to each location. In a special move to promote nutrition and health, each beneficiary of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) wi
Since the consecration of Lord Ram at the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024, the city has experienced an overwhelming influx of devotees from across India and abroad. Over 5.5 crore visitors have come to offer prayers and seek blessings at the temple, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement on Friday. The surge in pilgrims has not been limited to the general public. Nearly 4.5 lakh VIPs, including Union ministers, governors, chief ministers from various states, and prominent figures from the entertainment, business, and sports sectors, have also paid their respects at the temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ensured that arrangements for darshan are efficient and convenient, directing authorities to guarantee that all visitors, whether ordinary devotees or distinguished guests, experience a smooth visit, the statement read. With the completion of the grand temple, Ayodhya has become a major global religious destination. In respon
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Wednesday criticised the Uttar Pradesh government over the recently held police recruitment drive, calling it a routine exercise that was unnecessarily hyped. She questioned whether all communities received fair representation and raised concerns over the quality and the future of the training being provided to the recruits. "The recent police recruitment in UP has been portrayed as if something extraordinary has been achieved, while in reality, such recruitment drives are part of routine administrative work to prevent backlog in the police department," Mayawati said in a post in Hindi on X. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister asserted that the real concern among people is whether proper representation was given to 'Sarv Samaj' or all sections in the recruitment and whether the recruits would receive appropriate training. Citing the achievements during her tenure, Mayawati said, "During my government, to ensure the rule of law and ...
For the first time, robotic fire tenders will be deployed at Mahakumbh 2025 to enhance fire safety at the world's largest spiritual gathering, according to officials. Alongside these cutting-edge machines, 200 specially trained fire commandos will be stationed to manage emergencies and protect visitors. Additional Director General (Fire Services) Padmaja Chauhan said that three robotic fire tenders, weighing 20-25 kilograms each, will be used to reach areas inaccessible to personnel. These robots are capable of climbing stairs and extinguishing fires with precision, ensuring faster and safer responses, he said. "The inclusion of robotic fire tenders marks a technological leap in fire management. They can be easily carried and deployed in sensitive zones," Chauhan said. Additionally, Mahakumbh will feature an articulating water tower capable of spraying water from a height of 35 meters. The tower is equipped with a high-tech camera to monitor fire-prone areas from above, he said.
Seventy five quick response vehicles, with fire-extinguishing capacities 20 times more effective than normal vehicles, will be used for the first time to tackle fire incidents during the Maha Kumbh Mela in January 2025. Director General of Police (DGP) (Fire) Avinash Chandra said these small-sized vehicles, with a capacity of one ton, can easily access narrow areas. Though equipped with a 100 litre tank, it can extinguish a raging fire that would normally require 2,000 litres of water, Chandra said. Additionally, the vehicles will be equipped with tools for breaking, cutting, lifting, drilling and first aid, he said. The DGP said that fire fighting boats, stationed in the Sangam area, will also be deployed for the first time. These boats can extinguish fires up to 300 to 400 metres using river water, especially if there is a fire in the tents located along the river bank, Candra said. "The department is purchasing six such boats. Along with this, all-terrain fire fighting vehicle