From neglect to nerve centre: Yogi’s UP emerges as India’s growth engine

Uttar Pradesh boasts 16 airports and four international terminals, with metro networks in most major cities

17 municipal corporations transform into smart cities, while rural areas witness unprecedented infrastructure development

Lucknow, Aug 2025 : Uttar Pradesh, once associated with pothole-ridden roads, crumbling infrastructure, and sluggish development, has today emerged as one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Before 2017, the state suffered from a lack of political will and strategic planning. Investment was scarce, roads were in disrepair, air and rail connectivity remained limited, and urban development lacked direction. Known more for ‘one district, one mafia’ than for progress, the state lagged in both law and order and infrastructure.

However, a transformative shift began in 2017 under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. With strong coordination between the Centre and the State, the groundwork for an infrastructure revolution was laid. Today, Uttar Pradesh leads the nation in areas ranging from expressways and airports to metro networks and waterways. Under CM Yogi’s leadership, the state has become a driving force of India’s new economic growth trajectory.

Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh’s image was marred by broken roads and stalled projects. The Lucknow-Agra Expressway was incomplete, while ambitious projects like the Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, and Ganga Expressways were caught in bureaucratic redtape. Villages and small towns were poorly connected to major urban centers, hindering economic activity. Today, UP holds the distinction of having the largest expressway network in the country. With projects like the Gorakhpur Link, Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, and Ganga Expressways, the state’s economy is gaining significant momentum.

Currently, 7 expressways are operational across the state, while 15 more are either under construction or proposed. Upon completion of the Ganga Expressway, Uttar Pradesh alone will account for 6 out of every 10 kilometers of expressway in India. These roads are not limited to connecting major cities—they are linking previously neglected regions such as Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, and Terai. In addition, industrial clusters, MSME parks, and agro-based industries are being developed along the expressway corridors, creating jobs and fueling economic growth.

Before 2017, only Lucknow and Gorakhpur had relatively active airports, and international air connectivity was restricted to Lucknow. Today, the state boasts 16 operational airports, including four international airports—Lucknow, Varanasi, Kushinagar, and Ayodhya. The Noida International Airport, currently under construction in Jewar, is set to become the largest in the country and is expected to be operational by the end of 2025. With 5 international and 16 domestic airports either operational or in the pipeline, Uttar Pradesh is well on its way to becoming a state with 21 functional airports, setting a benchmark for connectivity and development.

Before 2017, metro development in Uttar Pradesh was limited to Lucknow, and even that progressed at a sluggish pace. Today, five cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, and Agra, are equipped with operational metro services. The country’s first Rapid Rail corridor has also been launched between Delhi and Meerut, with metro operations in Meerut set to begin soon. Additionally, groundwork is underway for metro networks in several other cities such as Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, and Bareilly, all planned for phased implementation by 2025–26. With this, Uttar Pradesh has become the state with the highest number of cities offering metro connectivity. Simultaneously, development is progressing on inland waterways, including the Varanasi–Haldia. The state also boasts India’s largest railway network, spanning over 16,000 kilometers.

Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was largely absent from the country’s investment landscape. There was no clear policy for logistics, warehousing, or industrial development. Today, thanks to mega projects like the Noida International Airport (Jewar), Film City, Defence Corridor, Medical Device Park, and Data Center Park, the state is fast emerging as a hub for investment and employment. In the YEIDA region alone, investments worth ₹27,521 crore have flowed in, generating over 16,400 jobs between 2023 and 2025. Other major projects under development include the PM Mitra Mega Textile Park in Lucknow, Mega Food Park in Bareilly, Trans Ganga City in Unnao, Plastic Park in Gorakhpur, and the country’s first Freight Village in Varanasi.

Previously infamous for unclean and chaotic urban areas, UP’s cities have seen a complete transformation. Today, 17 municipal corporations have been developed as Smart Cities. Under the Smart City Mission, 757 projects worth more than ₹10,300 crore are underway across these cities. Lucknow, Kanpur, and Varanasi are being shaped into State Development Regions. Technological advancements like extensive CCTV surveillance, the Safe City Project, and the Clean City Mission have redefined urban governance. India’s first urban ropeway service is also set to begin in Varanasi.

In terms of road infrastructure, the last eight years have witnessed unprecedented progress. On average, 11 km of new roads and 9 km of road widening have been accomplished every day. Over 32,000 km of rural roads have been built, and more than 25,000 km have been upgraded. Work is progressing rapidly to connect every district headquarters via four-lane highways, and tehsils and blocks through two to four-lane roads.

Improved infrastructure and connectivity have significantly boosted tourism in Uttar Pradesh. While the state welcomed 21 crore tourists in 2017, this number surged to 67 crore in 2023 alone. The Prayagraj Mahakumbh itself saw an influx of 67 crore devotees. With better roads, enhanced facilities, the rejuvenation of spiritual cities, and massive infrastructure investment, Uttar Pradesh has established itself as the new tourism capital of India.