UP setting a model for urban transformation, says UP Minister A.K. Sharma at National Urban Conclave in New Delhi

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh’s Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Sharma participated for the second consecutive day in the National Urban Conclave held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Minister Manohar Lal. The conclave, attended by Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahoo, senior officials from the Government of India and various states, experts and bankers from across the world, witnessed extensive discussions on urban development and innovation. During his address, A.K. Sharma showcased the transformative progress achieved in Uttar Pradesh’s urban sector, positioning the state as an emerging model for urban development in the country.

He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cities will be the face of a developed India (Viksit Bharat), and Uttar Pradesh’s urban management initiatives exemplify this vision. “Urban management is a complex challenge, but under the Prime Minister’s guidance, India is witnessing remarkable progress,” A.K. Sharma said. He cited Uttar Pradesh’s recent achievements as historic milestones in sustainable urban transformation.

Highlighting the success of the Shivri Waste Processing Plant in Lucknow, he said that over 20 lakh tonnes of legacy waste accumulated over 60 years has been processed, converting three-fourths of it into useful materials. The cleared 21-acre land has been redeveloped into a park, office complex, and meeting hall, with the remaining waste expected to be cleared soon.

He also spoke about the Atal Prerna Park developed on the site of the 7 lakh tonne waste mound at Ghailla, Lucknow, where materials recovered from the waste were used to build the UP Darshan Park, now a global example of sustainable reuse. Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from the site is being supplied to cement plants, and compost is distributed to farmers.

“Lucknow now processes all its 2,100 tonnes of daily waste, making it a zero-daily-waste city with no new garbage heaps forming,” he said. Similar achievements, A.K. Sharma added, have been recorded in Prayagraj, Agra, and several other cities, where reclaimed sites are being developed into Miyawaki forests and thematic parks, including the Shivalay Park in Prayagraj, created using metal recovered from waste.

A.K. Sharma emphasised the success of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in delivering innovative and sustainable urban solutions across the state, adding that efficient inter-departmental coordination has been key to overcoming challenges. During the session, his proposals to empower urban local bodies as apex institutions for the management of urban services and infrastructure development were widely appreciated and accepted by the participating delegates. The conclave witnessed wide acclaim for Uttar Pradesh’s innovative urban governance, integrating human, technological, and participatory approaches reflecting the State’s leadership in advancing India’s urban transformation agenda.