Yogi Government speeds up development of religious sites; work begins on 33 projects in 8 districts

More than ₹79 crore to be spent; temple economy to be strengthened by promoting investment in tourism sector

‘Development along with faith’ is the state government’s priority: Minister Jaiveer Singh

Lucknow, June 2026 : Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government is continuously working to connect the state’s religious, cultural, and tourism sites with world-class facilities. In this direction, the Tourism Department has started fast-tracking projects approved up to March 31, 2026. Construction work is being launched on 33 tourism and religious development projects across 8 districts, with an estimated expenditure of about ₹79.18 crore.

State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said, “The government’s priority is ‘Astha Ke Sath Vikas.’ Following this vision, religious, historical, and archaeological sites are being beautified and equipped with better basic facilities for devotees and tourists. The government aims to strengthen the temple economy by encouraging investment in the tourism sector and increasing employment and economic activities at the local level.”

He said, “The required funds for the approved projects have already been released, and implementing agencies have been directed to complete the work within the stipulated timeframe while maintaining quality standards. Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam has been entrusted with the responsibility of executing all 33 projects in the 8 districts, with a total estimated cost of over ₹79.17 crore.”

The projects include one each in Lucknow and Sitapur, seven in Mirzapur, five in Bhadohi, two in Sonbhadra, two in Hamirpur, three in Mahoba, and six each in Banda and Chitrakoot. The government’s effort is to connect various religious sites across the state with modern facilities and give a new boost to religious tourism.

Jaiveer Singh said, “₹11.99 crore has been approved for tourism development of Hulaskheda in Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, and ₹1.49 crore for the establishment of Vedaranyam at Naimisharanya Dham in Sitapur. For seven projects in Mirzapur, funds of around ₹1.04 crore, ₹79.64 lakh, ₹1.94 crore, ₹1.97 crore, ₹83.69 lakh, ₹88.87 lakh, and ₹2.15 crore have been approved respectively. Similarly, five projects in Bhadohi have received approvals of ₹1.03 crore, ₹1.47 crore, ₹1.45 crore, ₹99.97 lakh, and ₹1.25 crore. Two projects in Sonbhadra have been approved with allocations of ₹1.25 crore and ₹1.16 crore respectively.”

He added, “In Mahoba, three projects at different temples have been sanctioned ₹1.08 crore, ₹45.58 lakh, and ₹71.77 lakh. Two projects in Hamirpur have received approvals of ₹70 lakh and ₹69.81 lakh. For six projects in Banda, funds of ₹53.82 lakh, ₹1.38 crore, ₹1.14 crore, ₹1.30 crore, ₹3.38 crore, and ₹2.83 crore have been approved. Similarly, six projects in Chitrakoot have been sanctioned ₹1.81 crore, ₹2.29 crore, ₹5.25 crore, ₹1.71 crore, ₹1.66 crore, and ₹9.05 crore respectively.”

The minister said that tendering procedures for starting work on almost all the projects are currently in progress. He stated that considering the growing popularity of the tourism sector and its vast investment potential, the state government is ensuring the availability of basic facilities at all such sites under its “development along with faith” initiative.