Lucknow, Sept 12: Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is advancing the construction of modern PM Unity Malls in Agra, Varanasi, and Lucknow to provide a dedicated market for local crafts and traditional industries. State urban development officials affirmed that these specialized six-floor complexes will feature over 100 retail spaces each, serving as a unified platform for One District One Product (ODOP) and Geographical Indication (GI) tagged goods. The project aims to connect local artisans, women, and young entrepreneurs directly with national and international markets while promoting the Swadeshi initiative.
Construction is progressing steadily across all three identified locations. In Agra, the project is coming up at Shilpgram over 11.53 acres with an outlay of Rs 128.85 crore and 135 planned shops, focusing on handicrafts from the Braj region. In Varanasi’s Ganganagar Colony, a Rs 154.71 crore facility with 111 shops is scheduled for completion by December 2026 to showcase Banarasi sarees, zari-zardozi, and wooden toys. Meanwhile, the Lucknow unit at Avadh Shilpgram, being built at a cost of Rs 64 crore with 139 shops, is expected to wrap up by October 2026.
State administrative updates maintained that establishing these specialized hubs will offer representation to traditional crafts from all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh under one roof. Officials declared that the initiative will strengthen the rural economy, generate new employment avenues, and drive handicraft-focused tourism across key urban centers.
