The Uttar Pradesh government has given its approval for the Chief Minister Green Road Infrastructure Development Scheme (Urban) — also known as the CM GRID scheme — with a budget of Rs 500 crore.
This initiative is a response to the increasing urbanisation in the state and the pressing need to enhance road networks and traffic flow.
On 10 October 2023, during a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it was determined that the scheme would be launched to further enhance the quality of city roads and to oversee the development, financial support, and supervision of road projects by municipal authorities.
In line with the Chief Minister’s directives, the urban development department established the Urban Road Infrastructure Development Agency (URIDA) and decided its responsibilities to implement the scheme on the ground, as reported by Times of India.
The first phase of the project will focus on 17 municipal corporations, while the second phase will include roads within nagar panchayats and municipal councils.
Under this scheme, grants will be provided for road development based on the income generated by these bodies in the previous fiscal year.
The development will have various amenities related to roads, including utility ducts, green areas, solar-powered street lighting, bus stops, electric vehicle charging stations, beautification, and pedestrian facilities.
Apart from developing and maintaining roads in cities, URIDA will also create an urban road management system and focus on generating resources, improving the financial health of urban local bodies, and adopting new technologies in road infrastructure.
To ensure effective oversight, assessment, and review of the Chief Minister Grids (Urban) scheme and associated road development plans, a general body has been established.
This general body will be led by the chief secretary, with the additional chief secretary or principal secretary of the urban development department serving as the vice-chairman, and key officials from the urban development departments.