Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 497 projects worth Rs 10.55 billion (Rs 1,055 crore) in Gorakhpur, announcing a broad development push at a public event on the Ekla embankment by the Rapti river. The projects encompass urban infrastructure, roads, sanitation and public amenities and were described as part of a concerted effort to accelerate the city's growth. Officials said the initiatives are intended to boost connectivity and service delivery. The chief minister dedicated an Eco Park created after scientific disposal of 0.226 million tonnes (2.26 lakh metric tonnes) of legacy waste and opened the Nausadh-Malouni four-lane road. The park includes green spaces, play areas and yoga zones and municipal authorities characterised the transformation as converting long-standing waste sites into recreational public space. He flagged off municipal vehicles including eco-friendly CNG units and a moksh vehicle for transportation of mortal remains and inaugurated six smart roads developed under the CM Grid initiative. Officials said projects worth over Rs 2 billion (over Rs 200 crore) have been allocated to upgrade key city stretches, along with stormwater drainage systems, park beautification, green belt development and urban forestry measures. The chief minister highlighted improvements achieved over the past nine years in road connectivity, healthcare, sanitation, education, sports, industry and flood management. He cited AIIMS Gorakhpur and BRD Medical College as major healthcare hubs and referenced the establishment of four universities, the revival of the fertiliser plant and a new sugar mill at Pipraich. A Swachh School Abhiyan has been launched with over 0.1 million school children (over one lakh) set to participate in awareness campaigns and competitions to promote cleanliness. The chief minister urged large-scale plantation during the upcoming Van Mahotsav and asked legislators and corporators to develop mini city forests in their wards. Local representatives and officials praised the administration's vision and said the projects signal Gorakhpur's emergence as a model for clean, green and smart urban development in the state.