UP completes 96 per cent land acquisition for its defence corridor: Know all about the project

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier called the defence corridor a key part of UP’s industrial development

Uttar Pradesh’s ambitious Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) project has completed 96 per cent of its land acquisition, according to reports.

A report by Times of India stated that out of the total approved 2,097 hectare, 2,015 hectare has already been acquired. The corridor, which comprises six nodes, has attracted total investment commitments of around Rs 30,000 crore till now.

A statement issued by the state government media cell stated that the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the nodal agency for the project, aims to complete the corridor by November 2025, the statement said.

The project is being developed across Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, and Agra.

According to UPEIDA officials, the biggest land acquisition has taken place in the Jhansi node, with over 1,087 hectares secured. In Chitrakoot, more than 274 hectares have been acquired in two phases, followed by over 222 hectares in Kanpur Nagar, 160 hectares in Lucknow, 158 hectares in Aligarh (in two phases), and 112 hectares in Agra (also in two phases).

“Under the direction of CM Yogi, the land acquisition process has remained transparent, with a strong focus on protecting farmers’ interests,” officials told TOI.

According to reports, 5,800 farmers reportedly have received fair compensation for their land. The highest number of beneficiaries is in Jhansi, where 2,037 farmers were compensated, followed by 1,816 farmers in Chitrakoot (in two phases), 833 in Kanpur Nagar, 493 in Aligarh (in two phases), 369 in Agra (in two phases), and 260 in Lucknow.

A total of 2,345 sale deeds have been completed, including 1,072 in Jhansi, 400 in Kanpur Nagar, 313 in Chitrakoot, 239 in Lucknow, 186 in Agra, and 135 in Aligarh.

Timely completion of the project is expected to boost industrial activity and create a large number of local jobs.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier called the defence corridor a key part of UP’s industrial development and the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision.

These projects are expected to generate 40,000 new jobs, significantly contributing to the state's economic growth.

The UP Defence Corridor is envisioned as a long-term catalyst for defence innovation. With support from both central and state governments, the project aims to make the state a cornerstone of India’s defence exports and employment-driven growth.