CM Yogi orders probe into Akhilesh's Gomti Riverfront project

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party heavyweight Shivpal Yadav and former Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal are in for serious trouble as the newly formed Uttar Pradesh government has ordered probe into irregularities in former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's dream project 'Gomti Riverfront development'.

The UP government has ordered current Chief Secretary to constitute inquiry committee which would be headed by a retired judge. The committee will have to submit its investigation report within 45 days.

Also Read: Rs 1400 crore ‘Gomti Riverfront’ project invites UP CM Yogi’s wrath

It may be recalled that Shivpal Yadav was the irrigation minister in the previous Uttar Pradesh government and was monitoring then Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's pet project of Gomti Riverfront development. Deepak Singhal was Principle Secretary of the Irrigation department looking after the project.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued the orders while reviewing the 'Gomti River Channelization Project' in a meeting here on Saturday. He also directed Urban Development Minister Suresh Khanna and Irrigation Minister Dharampal Singh to closely monitor the works being done in the riverfront project.

Also Read: It rains money for Gomti River Front project amid apprehensions

He was informed in the meeting that a total of Rs 1,513 crore were allotted for the entire project, but about 95 per cent amount (Rs 1,435 crore) has already been used and the project is only around half-way completed.

Reacting over the same, the UP CM asked, "Why the project got delayed and where this money has been used should be investigated by a committee, which would be headed by a retired judge."

The officials estimated the revised cost of the project to be Rs 2,448 crore. "Rethink over the importance of the remaining works in the project and remove the unnecessary ones to deliver the project at the earliest," directed Yogi Adityanath.

Also Read: Gomti River Front Project: the cracks are already showing

What else CM Yogi Adityanath said?

• The Gomti River is so polluted that it is impossible to even stand at the riverfront.
• Before beautifying the banks of the river, the previous government should have considered cleaning its water first.
• The drains should be diverted and sewer treatment plants should be installed to get rid of the pollution.
• The Gomti River confluences with the Ganga River in Jaunpur, thus this project should be integrated with the 'Namami Gange' project of the Centre.
• The polluted water of the river has endangered the lives of several aquatic animals. So, it is important to take necessary step to clean the river as soon as possible.

Also Read: Why is Gomti River Front out of UP CM’s dream projects list ?