Rajnath Hails Vajpayee's Contribution to Development of Lucknow Eds: With Changes in Intro

Lucknow, Aug 5 (PTI) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today hailed Atal Bihari Vajpayee's contribution to the development of the Uttar Pradesh capital, saying the former prime minister initiated 'vikas ki Ganga' in the city.

Singh, who was here on a two-day visit, was speaking after the inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremony of 438 projects worth Rs 938 crore for Lucknow and its neighbourhood.

"No one can deny the fact that the 'vikas ki Ganga' in Lucknow was initiated by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and was further taken up by former MP Lalji Tandon. Shaheed Path in Lucknow was started by Atalji when he was the prime minister and I was the Union surface transport minister," he said.

Vajpayee has represented Lucknow in the Lok Sabha five times, the last time being in 2004.

The home minister, who is also the MP from Lucknow, said, "In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, I had said that I do not make promises, but I seek the blessings of the people of Lucknow, so that God may give me the strength to fulfil the developmental aspirations of the people of Lucknow."

Lauding UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he said, "Today is a historic moment for Lucknow. The UP chief minister is committed to developing UP. His commitment for development and hard work makes me feel confident that no one can stop Uttar Pradesh from becoming the number one state in the country."

"The day is not very far, when Lucknow will become a world class city," he added.

On July 28, while addressing a programme here on 'Transforming Urban Landscape', Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, "There is a very close relationship between our mission (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation of Urban Transformation - AMRUT) and Lucknow city. Lucknow has been the 'karmabhoomi' of 'mahapurush' Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Vajpayee made Lucknow the laboratory to improve urban life in the country."

Singh also said that the Gomtinagar railway terminus will become a world class facility, which will benefit trans-Gomti areas and reduce congestion at other stations in the city.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)