‘Noida jinx’ keeps away Akhilesh; new projects showered on twin cities

The incumbent Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav skipped his visit to Noida and Greater Noida this time too, maintaining the decade-old political tradition of “Noida Jinx”. As the UP elections are close at hands, CM Akhilesh Yadav showered a feast of development projects in the cities of Noida and Greater Noida. The CM has launched and laid the foundation for 21 projects to the three authorities of Gautam Buddh Nagar — Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway, at a cost of more than Rs 5,600 crore. The ceremony took place virtually via video-conferencing on Wednesday from Lucknow. 

The announcement came with some great news for the commuters of Noida and Greater Noida. The CM flagged off two important transport projects in the city. The long awaited City Bus which will connect Noida and Greater Noida has been launched. In the first session, 25 hi-tech buses, each costing more than a crore will run on six routes between Noida and Greater Noida and gradually more buses will be added in the next phase.

The 3.9-km trial Metro corridor between Botanical Garden in Noida and Kalindi Kunj in Delhi was also inaugurated on Wednesday. He has also opened the door for the foundation for another mega transport project. A proposed 14.95-km Metro corridor including nine stations from Noida Sector-71 to Knowledge Park-V in Greater Noida (West) will be constructed in the next two years, which is expected to ferry 1.23 lakh passengers daily. The estimated cost of the project is at around Rs 2,668 crore.

An international cricket stadium with a capacity to hold more than 25,000 people has been built in Noida Sector 21A. An under-19 cricket match has also been organised at this stadium. A 35-km long cycle track, underground parking in Sector 95, six lane alleviated road, underpass in Sectors 62 and 63, Nari Niketan in Sector 34, girls inter college in Sector 51 in Hoshiyarpur and 8,300 affordable housing units in the three areas of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development areas at a cost of Rs 507 crore will  be constructed.

Admitting that he has followed the path shown by his predecessors of not going to Noida or Greater Noida to inaugurate the projects, Akhilesh said: “Noida is known as a huge financial hub and hence, politicians are prevented from entering this place by creating this jinx.” However, he said that he will surely visit Noida and break the myth, once he is re-elected as CM of the state for the second time next year.