Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday performed the Bhoomi Pujan for 14 development projects worth over Rs 100 crore at Lucknow Cantonment, aimed at strengthening civic infrastructure, water supply, education, healthcare, sports, sanitation and other public amenities.
The projects include an Artificial Intelligence-based Solid Waste Management Plant, Multi-Utility Sports Complex, Modern Crematorium, 1,500-KL Underground Reservoir, replacement of old water-supply pipelines, construction of eight tubewells equipped with SCADA automation, and overhead water tanks with SCADA systems.
Other major projects include a Special School for Differently Abled Children, additional classrooms and toilets at RA Bazar Madhyamik Vidyalaya and Rainbow Model School, a Multi-Level Robotic Car Parking and Commercial Complex, and Legacy Waste Bio-Mining and Bio-Remediation facilities.
Two projects — the RA Bazar City Polyclinic and Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Coaching Centre — are being implemented in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government.
The Defence Minister and the Chief Minister also joined around 4,000 people in listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat.
Addressing the gathering, Rajnath Singh said the projects represent a comprehensive effort to improve the quality of life of residents of Lucknow Cantonment. He emphasised that coordinated efforts between the Centre and the state government would accelerate development and strengthen good governance.
“The development of Lucknow Cantonment is closely linked with the progress of Lucknow. Coordinated efforts by the Centre and the State can accelerate development and good governance,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Defence Minister said development should not be measured only by large infrastructure projects and modern buildings. He stressed that a developed India must ensure quality education for children, access to clean drinking water, opportunities for youth to participate in sports and showcase their talent, and an inclusive society where persons with disabilities are fully integrated.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted the renaming of several markets in Lucknow Cantonment as part of efforts to reconnect the younger generation with India’s heritage and freedom struggle.
Royal Artillery Bazar has been renamed Ekta Bazar, British Cavalry Bazar as Uda Devi Bazar, British Infantry Bazar as Matadin Valmiki Bazar, and another British Infantry Bazar as Mangal Pandey Bazar. Kanedy Market has been renamed Atal Bihari Vajpayee Market.
The Defence Minister said the renaming initiative seeks to replace colonial-era references with the names of prominent personalities associated with India’s freedom struggle and national life, while inspiring citizens towards national service.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister of State Asim Arun, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma, Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharwal, Director General of Defence Estates Shobha Gupta, HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K, BEL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain, and senior officials of the Defence Forces, Central and State governments and Lucknow Cantonment Board were present on the occasion.
