The Uttar Pradesh government will create a State Capital Region (SCR) in Lucknow, Sitapur, Unnao, Hardoi, Barabanki, and Raebareli. This will provide a new direction to employment and urbanization by promoting high-speed rail, road networks, industry, agriculture, and tourism.
UP News: The Uttar Pradesh government has begun preparations to give a new identity to Lucknow and its surrounding districts. The Yogi government is developing a 26,000 square kilometer State Capital Region (SCR) by integrating Lucknow with Sitapur, Unnao, Hardoi, Barabanki, and Raebareli.
This plan is being prepared on the lines of Delhi-NCR. The government's objective is not merely to expand the administrative area but is being viewed as a new model for economic, industrial, and urban development.
Regional Plan Draft
The first survey report for this plan was presented in the presence of Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob. This meeting was attended by the Vice Chairman of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), officials from various departments, and consulting engineers. According to the report, it will take approximately one year to prepare the regional plan. Following this, a DPR (Detailed Project Report) will be prepared over the next five years, and the implementation of the plans will gradually commence. The aim of this project is to ensure development proceeds at a uniform pace across the entire region and to provide a new direction to urban planning.
High-Speed Connectivity
Within the SCR, facilities for high-speed rail and modern road networks will be provided. This will make commuting between Lucknow and its neighboring districts faster and easier. Industrial areas will be directly connected to the capital under the plan. Improved transportation facilities will boost investor confidence, and people will gain easy access to employment and business opportunities. The government believes that better connectivity is the lifeline of development, hence the transport sector is being prioritized.
Tourism Improvement and Employment Opportunities
The government plans to create a robust tourism circuit by connecting the tourist and cultural sites of all districts within the SCR. According to statistics, 46% of total tourists visit Lucknow, 31% visit Barabanki, 14% visit Unnao, 7% visit Sitapur, and only 1-1% visit Hardoi and Raebareli. To address this disparity, tourism will be promoted throughout the region by connecting religious, historical, and natural heritage sites. This will generate employment for local people and increase investment in the tourism sector.
Emphasis on Agricultural and Industrial Development
The greatest strength of Lucknow and its surrounding districts is their fertile soil. Large-scale cultivation of rice, wheat, sugarcane, vegetables, and pulses takes place here. The plan will include modern technology, cold chain storage, and Agri-Business Hubs. Furthermore, preparations are underway to increase investment in the food processing, textile, IT, and service sectors. In this way, the SCR region could emerge as a new industrial corridor in the coming years.
Job Creation and Urbanization
Lucknow is already a center for education and health. With the implementation of the SCR plan, small towns will be developed as smart cities and connected to urban amenities. Employment will automatically increase with improved connectivity, industry, and tourism development. Officials believe that the primary objective of this project is to expand job and business opportunities.
Data Collection and Attention to Local Needs
Divisional Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob has instructed that separate consultants be appointed in each district. This will expedite the collection of local data and make the action plan more effective. The SCR plan will not be confined to paper but will be implemented according to local needs and resources.
New Model of Economic Development
The SCR project is not just administrative expansion but a step towards presenting a new economic model. It attempts to integrate employment, agriculture, tourism, and industrial investment. This model will help propel the Lucknow division and the entire state of Uttar Pradesh onto a new path of development. This ambitious region, spread over 26,000 square kilometers, is expected to see Lucknow's development extend to its neighboring districts, ensuring prosperity for the entire region.
