Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated 250 eco-friendly electric and CNG waste collection vehicles in Lucknow, aimed at improving urban sanitation and advancing the Clean City – Green City initiative. The vehicles will collect household waste across the city, enhancing efficiency and promoting sustainable waste management.
During the event at his official residence on Kalidas Marg, CM Yogi highlighted the significance of modernizing sanitation infrastructure and criticized previous governments for neglecting cleanliness and urban hygiene.
Cleaning Up “Political Garbage” and Transforming UP
The Chief Minister remarked that the people of Uttar Pradesh had cleared the state of “political garbage,” pointing to decades of neglect under earlier administrations. He added that the state had once been considered a “Bimaru” (ailing) state, plagued by poor infrastructure, rising diseases, and preventable deaths due to lack of governance.
“Over the past nine years, Uttar Pradesh has been transformed from a Bimaru state to a model of development,” CM Yogi said. “Visitors to the state now notice the visible changes in cleanliness, urban planning, and infrastructure.”
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Promoting Renewable Energy and LED Street Lighting
CM Yogi also emphasized the government’s focus on solar energy and efficient street lighting. Prior to 2017, many roads were lit with halogen and decorative lights, which wasted energy, attracted insects, and failed to function effectively due to unreliable electricity supply.
Under the current government, 16 lakh LED lights have been installed across the state using central government initiatives, reducing electricity consumption while improving street visibility and city aesthetics.
Revitalizing Kukrail River and Creating Urban Green Spaces
Highlighting urban development in Lucknow, CM Yogi noted the transformation of the Kukrail River. He explained that illegal encroachments had destroyed parts of the river, but the current administration removed these and created the Soumitra City Forest, also named after Lord Lakshman, turning it into a green urban space for residents.
Officials and Civic Leaders Present
The event was attended by prominent officials including Urban Development Minister Ak Sharma, Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, and MLA Dr. Neeraj Bora, among others. CM Yogi stressed that sanitation is the foundation of city and state prosperity, and that waste management initiatives are integral to urban development.
Lucknow Ranks Among Top Clean Cities
With these initiatives, Lucknow has emerged as one of India’s top three cleanest cities. The deployment of electric and CNG waste vehicles, coupled with LED street lighting, improved riverfronts, and green urban spaces, reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable development and modern urban governance.
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