Chitrakoot to Get Air Connectivity with Lucknow and Delhi Soon: CM Yogi Unveils ₹951-Crore Development Push

Chitrakoot, July 8: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday announced that Chitrakoot will soon be connected with direct air services to Lucknow and New Delhi, marking another milestone in the transformation of the historic pilgrimage town. Addressing a public gathering after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 124 development projects worth ₹951 crore, the Chief Minister said the arrival of new aircraft would enable regular flights from the newly developed airport, significantly boosting tourism, connectivity, and economic opportunities.

Speaking at the event, Yogi Adityanath said Chitrakoot, once neglected by previous governments, has undergone a remarkable transformation under the Centre and State’s double-engine government. He recalled that before 2017, the region struggled with poor infrastructure, law-and-order issues, and an identity crisis. Today, however, Chitrakoot has emerged as a major spiritual, cultural, and developmental hub. The Chief Minister highlighted that the Bundelkhand Expressway has become the region’s lifeline, while construction work beyond Bharatkoop is progressing rapidly to further improve connectivity.

Describing Chitrakoot as one of India’s most sacred and historic places, Yogi said the land holds immense significance as the place where Lord Ram spent a major part of his exile and drew strength for his mission. He added that the government is committed to preserving the region’s spiritual heritage while simultaneously accelerating its economic development.

The Chief Minister said Chitrakoot is poised to become a centre for both knowledge and defence manufacturing. He noted that work on the Defence Industrial Corridor in the region is progressing at a rapid pace and that a major industrial investment is expected soon. Referring to the recent defence agreement signed between India and Indonesia, he said BrahMos missiles manufactured in Uttar Pradesh would now be exported, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in defence production under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Yogi also announced that Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang State University has been granted the status of a State university, providing a significant boost to higher education in the region. He praised the management of Chitrakoot Inter College and its more than 7,000 students, expressing confidence that the youth of the district would play a crucial role in achieving the vision of a “Developed Chitrakoot” and a “Developed India by 2047.”

Launching a sharp attack on previous governments, particularly the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, the Chief Minister alleged that they had ignored Chitrakoot for decades and allowed it to become synonymous with fear and dacoity. In contrast, he said the BJP government has invested heavily in restoring and promoting important religious and cultural sites, including Maharishi Valmiki’s Lalapur Ashram, Tulsidas’ birthplace Rajapur, the Mandakini riverfront, and the Kamadgiri Parikrama route.

He also claimed that nearly 64,000 acres of government and land belonging to the poor, which had allegedly been encroached upon during previous administrations, had been reclaimed and would now be utilised for universities, hospitals, industries, and other public infrastructure projects.

Highlighting the government’s welfare initiatives, Yogi said development is reaching every section of society without discrimination. He noted that around 9.5 lakh youth have received government jobs through a transparent recruitment process. He also listed major welfare schemes, including free ration, housing, toilets, electricity connections, LPG cylinders, and Ayushman Bharat health insurance providing medical coverage of up to ₹5 lakh for eligible families.

The Chief Minister said Chitrakoot is also being developed as a major eco-tourism destination through the Ranipur Tiger Reserve, complementing its spiritual tourism potential and creating new employment opportunities for local residents.

During his address, Yogi strongly criticised the Samajwadi Party and the Congress over issues related to Ayodhya and India’s cultural heritage. He accused both parties of questioning the country’s religious traditions for political reasons and alleged that they had previously attempted to undermine places associated with Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. Referring to the recent Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged irregularities involving offerings at the Ram Temple, he said only a handful of individuals had been found guilty and action had already been initiated, asserting that there was no justification for tarnishing the reputation of the temple trust or Ayodhya.

Several ministers, legislators, public representatives, and senior officials attended the programme, including Minister of State for Public Works Kunwar Brijesh Singh, Manikpur MLA Avinash Chandra Dwivedi, Legislative Council members Jitendra Singh Sengar and Dr. Babu Lal Tiwari, former minister Chandrika Prasad Upadhyay, former MPs R.K. Singh Patel and Bhairav Prasad Mishra, District Panchayat Chairman Ashok Jatav, Municipal Council Chairman Narendra Gupta, BJP district president Mahendra Kotaria, and other dignitaries.