GORAKHPUR, July 24 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday described Gorakhpur as a "model city" as he highlighted its transformation from a place once notorious for mosquitoes, mafia and chaos to a benchmark of urban development and cleanliness.

He was speaking at an event on the Municipal Corporation campus as he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 177 infrastructure projects worth Rs.253 crore.

He also launched the state's first Urban Flood Management Cell for early warning and disaster prevention.

Emphasising transparency, accountability and uncompromised quality in development projects, he said, "Every rupee spent is the people's money and must be utilised responsibly."

The chief minister acknowledged the coopera...