Lucknow, Apr 1 (PTI) Launching a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said his government has “removed the politics of garbage” from the state while flagging off a fleet of eco-friendly waste management vehicles in the state capital.
Adityanath credited the “double-engine government” for improving cleanliness standards and said Lucknow has now featured among the top three cities in the country in cleanliness rankings over the past nine years.
He was addressing a gathering after flagging off around 250 electric and CNG-run vehicles aimed at strengthening solid waste management in Lucknow.
“We and the people of Uttar Pradesh have thrown out the politics of garbage. Earlier, both governance and thinking were filled with filth, leading to poor sanitation and the spread of diseases,” he said.
The chief minister said that before 2017, effective waste collection systems like door-to-door garbage lifting were not possible due to the functioning of previous governments.
“Those in power earlier were themselves immersed in filth. Their actions and thinking were reflective of that, resulting in the spread of diseases like encephalitis, dengue, malaria and filariasis,” he said, in an apparent attack on the Akhilesh Yadav-led dispensation.
He credited the “double-engine government” for improving cleanliness standards and said Lucknow has now featured among the top three cities in the country in cleanliness rankings over the past nine years.
The chief minister said the newly flagged-off electric vehicles would help reduce carbon emissions and contribute to achieving “net zero” targets, while ensuring better waste disposal systems.
Mayor Sushma Kharkwal and Urban Development Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma were also present at the event.
Adityanath also highlighted changes in urban infrastructure, contrasting the current situation with previous governments.
Earlier governments preferred outdated halogen streetlights due to irregular power supply, while the current government ensured 24-hour electricity and replaced them with energy-efficient LED lights across cities, he said.
“Over 16 lakh LED streetlights have been installed across the state, making cities well-lit and safer,” he said, adding that improved lighting has enhanced security and urban aesthetics.
The chief minister further said Lucknow has witnessed rapid development in recent years, including the expansion of metro services, better road connectivity, drainage systems and civic amenities.
He also noted that several cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Meerut, Ghaziabad and Noida, now have metro connectivity, with more than one lakh passengers using the Lucknow Metro daily.
Highlighting renewable energy initiatives, Adityanath said Ayodhya has been developed as a solar city, while similar efforts are underway in Lucknow.
More than 4.25 lakh households in the state have been equipped with rooftop solar panels, generating around 1,500 MW of electricity, he added.
The chief minister said Lucknow is emerging as a hub for electric vehicle manufacturing, with companies like Ashok Leyland and Tata expanding their operations in the city.
He asserted that improved sanitation and public health measures have helped curb diseases such as encephalitis, dengue and malaria, which were earlier widespread.
“When citizens are healthy, prosperity follows,” Adityanath said and added that Uttar Pradesh has now emerged as a key growth engine of the country’s economy. PTI KIS OZ OZ
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