Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna on Thursday (20 February) presented the state budget for the financial year 2025-26, with a massive Rs 8.08 lakh crore expenditure plan, as reported by The Indian Express.
A key focus of the budget was infrastructure development, with significant allocations for expressways, industrial corridors, and temple infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity, economic growth, and religious tourism.
New Expressways to Strengthen Road Connectivity
The state government has announced the construction of four new expressways, aimed at improving intra-state and inter-state connectivity:
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Agra-Lucknow Expressway to Ganga Expressway – A greenfield expressway connecting Agra-Lucknow Expressway to Ganga Expressway in Kausia, Hardoi, via Farrukhabad, with an allocation of Rs 900 crore.
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Vindhya Expressway – A corridor linking Ganga Expressway to Sonbhadra via Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Varanasi, and Chandauli, with an initial provision of Rs 50 crore.
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Ganga Expressway Extension – A proposed extension from Meerut to Haridwar, with Rs 50 crore allocated.
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Bundelkhand Rewa Expressway – A proposed expressway with an initial provision of Rs 50 crore.
Boost for Defence and Industrial Development
A total of Rs 461 crore has been allocated for the Defence Industrial Corridor project along the Bundelkhand Expressway, which aims to strengthen defence manufacturing and industrial capabilities in the state.
The corridor is expected to attract investment, create employment, and enhance Uttar Pradesh’s role in defence production.
Investment in Religious Tourism and Temple Infrastructure
The budget also prioritizes religious tourism by allocating funds for temple infrastructure projects:
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Banke Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple Corridor (Mathura-Vrindavan) – Rs 100 crore for land purchase and Rs 50 crore for construction.
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Maa Vindhyavasini Temple Development (Mirzapur) – Rs 100 crore for land acquisition and another Rs 100 crore for developing Parikrama Path and public facilities around Maa Vindhyavasini, Maa Ashtabhuja, and Maa Kali Khoh temples.
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Temple Renovation – Rs 30 crore allocated for the renovation and reconstruction of conserved temples across the state.
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Ved Vigyan Kendra (Sitapur District) – Rs 100 crore for establishing a research center in Naimisharanya, a site of spiritual and historical significance.
Yogi Adityanath’s Ninth Consecutive Budget
This marks the ninth consecutive budget under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration. Ahead of the budget presentation, Adityanath convened a high-level meeting with his cabinet ministers to discuss financial priorities, emphasising infrastructure expansion and economic development.