CM Yogi Adityanath: It has been decided to develop seven bus stations of Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation under PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model. These include Bus Station Kaushambi (Ghaziabad) Bus Station Depot Workshop Amausi (Lucknow) Bus Station Bulandshahr (New Land) Bus Station Depot Workshop, Tyre Shop & Vacant Land Sahibabad (Ghaziabad) Noida Bus Station and Foundry Nagar Bus Station / Depot Workshop (Agra).
The land of these bus stations has been leased to the transport corporation from various departments, and will be developed under the PPP model. Keeping in view the need to provide concession right period of 90 years to the developers from the concerned departments, the Council of Ministers has decided that the lease period of these lands will be extended up to 90 years from the date of contract with the selected developer.
Under this scheme, modernization of these bus stations will be possible without any capital investment by any government or corporation. Besides, state-of-the-art shopping malls, cinemas and other facilities will be made available within the bus station premises to passengers and local residents.
Approval for promulgation of Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority Rules, 2025
The Union Cabinet has approved the promulgation of Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority Rules, 2025. This order shall come into force from the date of its publication in the official gazette.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) was set up under the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985. The Government of India had enacted the Indian Inland Waterways Rules, 1986 for smooth operation of its operations. Keeping this in view, with a view to promote water transport and water tourism in Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Act, 2023 was notified under which a new Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority is to be constituted in the State. In order to streamline the functioning of the newly constituted Authority, it has been decided to promulgate the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority Rules, 2025.
Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, the Government of India has declared 111 National Waterways, which are located in different states. A total of 11 national waterways exist in Uttar Pradesh through Ganga, Yamuna and other major rivers. Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority will play an important role in providing affordable transport facilities through these waterways and in the development of water transport and water tourism. The implementation of this manual will help in developing water transport in Uttar Pradesh in an organized manner and promoting water tourism.
Constitution and Benefits of Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority
The authority will be headed by the Chief Minister with the Transport Minister or one of the experts in inland waterways, shipping, navigation, ports and maritime affairs as its chairman. For the post of Vice President, a person with expertise and professional experience in these areas will be appointed. The state government will appoint the vice-president.
Additional Chief Secretaries / Principal Secretaries of Finance, Public Works, Transport, Tourism & Culture, Irrigation & Water Resources and Forest & Environment Department will be ex-officio members of the Authority. A representative of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will also be involved, who will be nominated by the Chairman of IWAI. The transport commissioner of Uttar Pradesh will be the chief executive officer (CEO) of the authority.
Advantages and Effects of Authority
With the formation of this authority, water transport in the state will be made easy, economical and pollution-free. This will provide more opportunities to export the products of the state to other states of the country and international markets at cheaper rates. This initiative will give a new direction to water transport and tourism in Uttar Pradesh, which will strengthen the economic and environmental condition of the state.
Decision to develop and operate Rahi Tourist Accommodation Homes on PPP mode
The Cabinet has approved the proposal to develop and operate Rahi Tourist Accommodation – Sumer Singh Fort (Etawah), Kapilvastu (Siddharthnagar), Vindhyachal (Mirzapur), Gopiganj (Bhadohi), Jheel Mahal Restaurant (Mau), Shikohabad (Firozabad) Basti and Vrindavan under PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model. Under this, financial bids received from shortlisted bidders for these housing houses have been accepted. Also, eligible bidders have been shortlisted under the published RFQ (Request for Qualification) for Basti and Vrindavan, and the proposal for inviting RFP (Request for Proposal) among them has been approved. The Chief Minister has been authorised to take further decision in this regard as per requirement.
Tourism industry gets a boost
At present, the tourism industry is developing rapidly, and there is a need for specialist institutions and trained investors in the construction and operation of these lodges. Better maintenance and operation of these through private investors will be beneficial for the tourism industry.
This step of the Uttar Pradesh government has been taken with an aim to make the closed, loss-making or non-operational tourist lodges useful to the public, provide high-end facilities to the tourists and encourage private investment in the state.
There is huge potential for tourism in UP.
Uttar Pradesh is the most prominent tourist destination in the country due to its historical, cultural and religious sites. Besides, the rich natural forest wealth in the state also shows immense tourism potential.
This initiative will help in giving a modern look to tourism in Uttar Pradesh and developing facilities of international standards.
Development of Ancient Heritage Buildings of the State as Heritage Tourism Units
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to develop ancient heritage buildings of Uttar Pradesh as Heritage Tourism Units on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model under Adaptive Reuse. Under this decision, 13 historical heritages / forts will be transferred free of cost to the Department of Tourism for their conservation and redevelopment for tourism.
New use of heritage sites
It has been decided to develop these heritage sites as heritage hotels, resorts, museums and other tourism units. The RFQ-cum-RFP (Request for Qualification and Request for Proposal) model document for effective implementation of the scheme has also been approved by the Council of Ministers. Further, it has been decided to constitute the proposed Project Review Committee which will be headed by the Principal Secretary, Tourism. Also, the Chief Minister has been authorised to take necessary decisions related to this project.
Uttar Pradesh: Centre of Cultural and Historical Heritage
Uttar Pradesh is one of the states with the richest historical and cultural heritage of India. The historical heritage here reflects the glorious past of India and holds immense tourism potential.
The Need to Preserve Ancient Monuments
Many heritage properties of the state, which are declared protected under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the State Directorate of Archaeology, are getting damaged in the absence of proper care. At present, they do not generate any revenue for the state government and are of little use to local citizens and tourists. Under this scheme, tourism will be promoted by preserving and reviving the historical heritages, which will strengthen the economic development along with preserving the cultural heritage of the state.