The Uttar Pradesh government today approved construction of an entry-restricted six-lane greenfield expressway between Agra and Lucknow.

The decision to construct 270-km expressway, estimated to cost Rs 10,400 crore, was taken at a meeting of the state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

The project would be undertaken under public-private partnership model, officials said.

A green belt would be developed up to 10.25 metres on both sides of the expressway which would pass through Agra, Firozabad, Etawah, Mainpuri, Kannauj and Hardoi.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to construct a sports college on 71.25 acres of land at Sefai, the hometown of Akhilesh, in Etawah district.

The sports college, which would impart education from the sixth standard up to intermediate, would have a hostel with capacity of 80 inmates, the officials said.

The college would have various sports facilities, including a cricket ground, they said.

In the first session, 70 students would be given admission.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal for a joint venture with Neyveli Lignite Corporation to set up a 2,000 MW thermal power project at Ghatampur in Kanpur.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 11,128 crore, the officials said.

The Neyveli Lignite and UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam will have a share capital in ratio of 51:49 and the initial authorised capital will be of Rs five crore.

The proposal to permit sugar mills to sell an additional quota of molasses in the open market was also approved by the Cabinet.

A decision to transfer scholarships to 10th pass SC/ST students directly in their bank accounts was also taken at the meeting.

The Cabinet also okayed Rs 4100 government gurantee to the UP Rural Development Bank for taking loans from NABARD and opening of nursing schools for training of ANMs.