GORAKHPUR, May 17 -- Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday credited chief minister Yogi Adityanath for the "remarkable transformation" witnessed in the state since 2017. Puri stated that under Adityanath's leadership, Uttar Pradesh has translated possibilities into realities and emerged with a "new and powerful identity." The minister was addressing the bhoomi pujan (ground-breaking ceremony) and foundation-laying ceremony of the international cricket stadium in Gorakhpur in the chief minister's presence. Puri said the scale of change witnessed in Uttar Pradesh over the past nine years is unparalleled in the country. "As a Union minister, I have closely observed the transformation in Uttar Pradesh in recent years. I can confidently say that the kind of work happening here is unmatched anywhere else in the nation," Puri said. He noted that Uttar Pradesh, once discussed largely because of its population, is now being recognised for development, improved law and order, and good governance. According to the minister, better law and order has strengthened investor confidence and accelerated growth and employment opportunities across the state. Puri described UP as an increasingly preferred investment destination and praised Adityanath's image as a "firm and decisive administrator" who studies issues in depth before implementing decisions. Referring to a discussion with the chief minister earlier in the day, Puri said Yogi assured support for implementing proposals related to ethanol blending in Uttar Pradesh in the national interest. He also highlighted progress in road, air, and metro connectivity, defence corridor projects, and healthcare and educational infrastructure under the current state government. The minister said UP holds immense potential in green energy and compressed biogas (CBG), which can also help enhance farmers' incomes. Calling the international cricket stadium in Gorakhpur a result of the chief minister's visionary thinking, the Union minister said the project would not only create sports infrastructure but also inspire young talent and shape the future of Indian sports....