UP Govt to implement Aspirational City Scheme in 100 most backward ULBs

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LUCKNOW, Uttar Pradesh: The Government of Uttar Pradesh has green flagged a proposal to implement the Aspirational City Scheme in 100 most backward urban local bodies (ULBs), having a population ranging between 20,000 and one lakh, in Uttar Pradesh.

The decision to approve the proposal was taken during a state cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister of UP Yogi Adityanath. It is being said that the move will strengthen the civic bodies and prevent migration by ensuring efficient use of resources and increasing opportunities for economic development.

An official stated that the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog will select the 100 urban local bodies, where the scheme will be implemented, based on 16 parameters.

The scheme will be operating till March 31, 2026, but the monitoring process will continue for two more years, that is till March 31, 2028.

Apart from the Aspirational City Scheme, the state government has also approved a proposal for air-conditioned electric buses in Ayodhya, Saharanpur and Firozabad districts of Uttar Pradesh. Government will form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under the chairmanship of the commissioner of the respective divisions for the operation, management and maintenance of electric buses in cities. This SPV will be constituted under the Companies Act 2013, and it can determine fares on the routes. The statement suggests that passengers can also discuss the facilities provided to them.

Currently, there are 740 air conditioned electric buses plying the roads in 14 cities in Uttar Pradesh under 13 SPVs.