Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday stated that the state has completed the Ganga Expressway project, valued at around ₹42,000 crore, without relying on bank loans. Speaking at a government programme in Lucknow where appointment letters were distributed to newly selected auditors, he highlighted what he described as a shift in the state’s financial capacity and management practices over recent years.
The Ganga Expressway, spanning nearly 600 kilometres, is among the longest expressways in India. According to the Chief Minister, over ₹36,000 crore has already been spent on its construction, while the broader project cost, including industrial clusters and logistics hubs along the route, exceeds ₹42,000 crore. He also noted that additional land has been acquired to support planned economic activities along the corridor.
During the event, appointment letters were handed to 500 newly selected candidates across cooperative, panchayat, and local fund audit departments. The Chief Minister said the recruitment process was conducted without recommendations and aimed to ensure transparency.
Addressing the gathering, he contrasted the current financial situation with earlier years, stating that Uttar Pradesh has moved from fiscal constraints to a revenue surplus position. He attributed this shift to efforts to increase internal revenue, strengthen financial discipline, and reduce dependence on external borrowing. He also claimed that improved monitoring helped plug revenue leakages, particularly in sectors such as excise.
At the same time, he pointed to past infrastructure projects, including the Jay Prakash Narayan International Centre in Lucknow, as examples of cost escalation and delays. He described such cases as indicative of financial mismanagement, though no detailed audit findings were presented during the speech.
The Chief Minister also spoke about employment generation, stating that government recruitment and various schemes have contributed to job creation. He cited initiatives aimed at supporting small businesses, women, and youth, including entrepreneurship and self-employment programmes.
He further emphasized the role of audit systems in strengthening governance at the local level, particularly in panchayats and urban bodies. According to him, improving accountability and financial oversight remains essential for sustaining development.
While the claims reflect the government’s perspective on fiscal progress and infrastructure delivery, independent assessments of project financing, debt levels, and economic growth indicators will be key to evaluating the broader impact.
