Lucknow: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said Lucknow is entering a decisive phase of transformation, where planned infrastructure development is set to redefine the city’s economic and strategic importance.“The capital of Uttar Pradesh is no longer limited to administrative prominence alone, but is rapidly emerging as a modern, well‑connected growth hub that will drive development across the region,” he said while addressing a gathering at the Gomti Nagar Jan Kalyan Mahasamiti Annual Festival at Vivek Khand 2 in Gomti Nagar.He emphasized that the city’s development has been planned in a structured and forward-looking manner, with a strong focus on connectivity. A key component of this vision is the integration of four-lane and six-lane roads along with three major expressways around the Outer Ring Road. Once completed, this network is expected to position Lucknow as the largest supply center within a 400 to 500 km radius.According to Singh, this enhanced connectivity will significantly reduce travel time and logistics costs, enabling faster movement of goods between rural and urban areas. “Villages as well as cities will benefit from quicker access to essential commodities, agricultural produce distribution and industrial goods. This, in turn, will provide a major boost to trade and commercial activity across the region,” he said.A major announcement in this regard is the construction of National Highway 927.“The proposed highway will start from Barabanki, near the Outer Ring Road, and extend up to Bahraich spanning 101 km. It will feature a four-lane main carriageway along with four-lane service road. With an estimated cost of around Rs 7,000 crore, the highway is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening regional connectivity,” said Singh, the three-time MP of Lucknow.Singh noted that such infrastructure projects will not only enhance trade but also create employment opportunities for the youth.
