Lucknow, Jan 16 (IANS): The Uttar Pradesh cabinet Thursday approved a series of welfare and development measures, including free x-ray facilities at all government hospitals in the state, and an international airport at Kushinagar, a prominent Buddhist centre.

Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said the state government of the Samajwadi Party (SP) had always espoused the cause of free treatment to the poor and needy.

"We have already implemented the scheme of free medicines to the poor, and now they will get the facility of free x-rays," he said.

The state cabinet, after being snubbed by private developers, has also decided to fund the ambitious eight-lane expressway between Agra and Lucknow.

The cabinet gave the green signal to the construction of an international airport at Kushinagar, to develop the region as an important Buddhist centre.

Kushinagar, about 335 km from state cpital Lucknow, also sees a large number of international and domestic tourists.