LUCKNOW, July 14 — Uttar Pradesh has transitioned into a major investment hub and tripled its economy after overcoming a restrictive developmental mindset over the last nine years, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared on Tuesday.
Addressing a special conclave organized by a prominent news channel in Lucknow, the Chief Minister affirmed that the state has successfully shed its former status as a struggling region to become one of the top three economies in the country. This transformation, spearheaded under central guidance, has resulted in the state receiving investment proposals totaling Rs 50 lakh crore. Of these, projects valued at more than Rs 15 lakh crore have already been implemented on the ground, creating a secure environment that appeals directly to global investors.
The state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has surged from Rs 12 lakh crore in the 2016-17 period to Rs 36 lakh crore today, while the overall state budget has grown from Rs 3 lakh crore to more than Rs 9 lakh crore. Concurrently, per capita income has crossed Rs 1.20 lakh from a previous low of Rs 43,000, and the unemployment rate has declined significantly from 19 percent to less than 3 percent.
Addressing concerns regarding recent developments, the Chief Minister maintained that certain elements continue to challenge the nation’s cultural identity and faith under the pretext of ongoing events in Ayodhya. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently conducting an impartial inquiry into the matter at the request of the concerned Trust, and strict measures are being enforced alongside voluntary resignations tendered on moral grounds. The Chief Minister asserted that those attempting to disturb public faith are the same individuals who historically compromised the rights of the underprivileged.
Reflecting on the state’s past administrative challenges, the Chief Minister noted that the region previously faced significant security concerns that impacted daily life, trade, and education. Today, the establishment of a stable law and order framework has ensured comprehensive safety for residents, traders, and students alike.
Economic revival has also been heavily supported by the ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) initiative, which successfully revitalized traditional craft clusters across various districts. At present, approximately 96 lakh Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) units are operational under this scheme, generating employment for 3.25 crore youth. The state currently exports ODOP products valued at more than Rs 2 lakh crore, with dozens of regional products receiving Geographical Indication (GI) tags.
Infrastructure developments have further accelerated growth, with Uttar Pradesh now accounting for 60 percent of the nation’s expressways, alongside expanded metro systems, the country’s largest railway network, and enhanced air and inland waterway connectivity. In the agricultural sector, the administration has cleared Rs 3.23 lakh crore in sugarcane dues directly to farmers since 2017, completed several long-pending irrigation projects like the Saryu Canal National Project, and extended institutional support to secure consistent power supplies for rural areas. Employment within the public sector has also seen a rise, with over 9 lakh youth appointed to government positions, including a substantial increase in female representation within the state police force.
