Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that Uttar Pradesh which was considered as a ‘BIMARU’ state and a barrier in the national development, has transformed into emerged as the growth engine, an economic powerhouse and breakthrough state of the country over last eight years.
Addressing a press conference on the occasion of the Uttar Pradesh government completing eight years in office, the CM said, “With the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the collective efforts of 25 crore citizens, UP is moving forward on the path of transforming from a ‘Shram Shakti Punj’ to an ‘Arth Shakti Punj’ of India. The state is the same, but its perception has been completely transformed over the last eight years.”
He said, “UP which was once considered as a barrier in the development of the country and a BIMARU state has emerged as the growth engine, an economic power, and the breakthrough state of the nation over the past eight years.”
During the event, a documentary titled ‘Ek Jhalak’ showcasing the achievements of the government over the past eight years was screened and a special booklet was released.
Yogi said, “With the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the collective efforts of 25 crore citizens, UP is moving forward on the path of transforming from a ‘Shram Shakti Punj’ to an ‘Arth Shakti Punj’ of India. The state is the same, but its perception has been completely transformed over the last eight years.”
He said that not just UP, but the entire nation now acknowledges the state’s emerging identity in the areas of security, good governance, prosperity, and Sanatan culture. “UP, which once carried the tag of a ‘BIMARU’ state, has today emerged as the growth engine of the Indian economy,” he said.
The CM emphasised that the past eight years of service, security, and good governance have been achieved under the visionary leadership and inspirational guidance of PM Modi. He congratulated the 25 crore people of the state for being part of this transformative journey and highlighted the significant impact made by the double-engine government across all sectors.
He said that a three-day ‘Vikas Utsav’ will be celebrated at all district headquarters on March 25, 26, and 27. “During the event, farmers, youth, women, artisans, and entrepreneurs will be felicitated and the development milestones of 10 years of the central government and eight years of the state government will be showcased to the public,” he said.
Yogi said that the PM has set a clear vision to make India a 5 trillion dollars economy and UP is playing a pivotal role in this mission. “UP is currently the second-largest economy in the country and is poised to become number one soon,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude to PM Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, his cabinet colleagues, and all constituent parties of the NDA for their continuous support. He credited the state’s journey over the past eight years to a collective spirit of teamwork, scale, skill, and speed.
Reflecting on the situation before 2017, the CM said that UP’s identity was in deep crisis. “Farmers were committing suicide, the youth were searching for purpose, daughters and businessmen felt unsafe and riots and lawlessness had crippled the economy. At that time, UP was labelled a BIMARU state and seen as a hurdle to national development,” he said.
He said, “But in eight years, the double-engine government has transformed that perception. Today, UP is leading progress across every sector, becoming a breakthrough force in the nation’s development.”
Discussing the transformation in the agriculture sector, Yogi said that UP has always been an agriculture-rich state, with abundant fertile land and water resources. “However, before 2017, the condition of farmers was dire,” he said.
He said that one of the first major decisions of his government in 2017 was to waive loans of small and marginal farmers worth Rs 36,000 crore. “As a result, food grain production increased from 557 lakh metric tonnes in 2016-17 to 668 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24, a 20 percent rise,” he said.
He said that over Rs 10 lakh crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries through DBT. “Long-pending irrigation projects such as Arjun Sahayak, Bansagar, and Saryu Canal were completed, bringing irrigation to an additional 23,000 hectares. Leveraging the expertise of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, new agricultural universities, and modern technology, UP has emerged as a leader in the production of paddy, wheat, pulses, and Shri Anna (millets),” he said.
Speaking about the turnaround in the sugarcane sector, the CM said that from 2008 to 2017, sugarcane farmers were burdened with unpaid dues running into thousands of crores. “Our government ensured that not a single sugar mill was shut down and at the same time, opened three new sugar mills, revived six, and expanded 38 others,” he said.
He said, “Between 2017 and now, Rs 2.80 lakh crore has been paid to sugarcane farmers which is Rs 60,000 crore more than the total paid in the previous 22 years. Ethanol production has also surged, growing from 42 crore litres to 177 crore litres.”
Highlighting law and order as the biggest achievement of his government, Yogi said, “Before 2017, riots were a regular occurrence. Daughters and traders lived in fear. Today, there is a clear rule of law in UP.”
He cited the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh as an example of effective governance, noting that during the 45-day event, not a single incident of molestation, robbery, or kidnapping was reported.
He pointed out that in 2017, there were 1.5 lakh vacant police posts. “Through a transparent recruitment process, the government appointed 1,56,000 police personnel and recently added another 60,200. There were no police lines in 10 districts, today, we’ve built them in every district.Training capacity for police personnel has increased from 6,000 to 60,244,” he said.
The CM said that while the previous governments had abolished 54 companies of the PAC, his government reinstated them. “Besides, three women battalions and five new PAC battalions were established. Cyber police stations and help desks were set up, and the response time of Police Response Vehicle (PRV) 112 was brought down from 25 minutes 42 seconds to just 7 minutes 24 seconds,” he said.
He said, “The Safe City project has taken shape with the installation of over 11 lakh CCTV cameras, ensuring greater surveillance and public safety.”
Yogi said that the safety, dignity, and self-reliance of women form the foundation for a self-reliant society. Highlighting the transformation in women’s representation in the police force, he said that from 1947 to 2017, there were only 10,000 women personnel.
He said, “In recent recruitment alone, 12,000 women were added, taking the total to over 25,000. As a result, the share of women in the police force has increased from 14 percent to over 35 percent. The BC Sakhi initiative, banking services are now available in 57,000 gram panchayats. Besides, one crore women have become self-reliant by joining self-help groups (SHGs).”
The CM said that 4.76 lakh weddings have been conducted under the Mass Marriage Scheme and the financial assistance per marriage has now been increased from Rs 51,000 to Rs 1,00,000. “Ownership rights have been provided to one crore women under the Svamitva Yojana and hostels named after Ahilyabai Holkar in her honour, are being constructed for working women in seven districts,” he said.
Focusing on youth development, he said that the unemployment rate, which was 19 percent in 2016-17, has declined to just 3 percent today. “Over the past eight years, more than 8 lakh government jobs have been provided and over 2 crore youth have been empowered through self-employment in the MSME sector. Furthermore, 50 lakh youth have been made digitally enabled through the distribution of tablets and smartphones. With 96 lakh MSME units, UP leads the country in this domain,” he said.
He said that the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme has revitalised traditional industries and entrepreneurship, with exports rising from Rs 86,000 crore to over Rs 2 lakh crore. “Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Yojana, the target is to create one lakh new entrepreneurs by March 31. Young entrepreneurs are being provided interest-free, collateral-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh. Artisans are also being supported through skill development and tool kits under the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana,” he said.
Speaking on educational reforms, Yogi said that cheating in exams, once seen as a norm, has now been eliminated through transparent and strict practices. “Enrolments in Basic Education Council schools have increased by over 50 lakh. Every child receives Rs 1,200 for uniforms, school bags, books, shoes, and sweaters. Schools have been upgraded with facilities such as toilets, clean drinking water, digital libraries, and proper flooring,” he said.
He said that Alankar Yojana has been introduced for secondary schools. “Several new higher education institutions have also been established, including state universities, a medical university, an Ayush university, and an additional agriculture university in six commissionerates. Ten new state universities and 21 private universities have been set up. The Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Coaching Scheme has been launched in every district, providing free guidance for competitive exams. Additionally, 100 percent scholarships are now being given to students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBC categories,” he said.
The CM said that over the past eight years, more than 6 crore people have been uplifted from poverty in UP. He highlighted that 15 crore individuals have been receiving free ration consistently for the last five years.
He said, “Besides, 1.86 crore Ujjwala connections have been provided, with free LPG cylinders being distributed on festivals like Holi and Deepawali. Under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, 9 crore people have been issued Golden Cards for health coverage. Furthermore, housing has been provided to 56 lakh underprivileged families.”
Speaking on social welfare, Yogi said that before 2017, around 55 lakh destitute women, senior citizens, and divyangjans received pensions. “Today, this number has grown to 1.06 crore and the pension amount has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000. In 2024–25, Rs 1.10 lakh crore was transferred to 9.08 crore beneficiaries via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), resulting in savings of Rs 10,000 crore,” he said.
Presenting infrastructure achievements, he said that UP has undergone a dramatic transformation. “Earlier, potholes on the road signaled one had entered UP. Today, the state is recognized for its expressways. Currently, six expressways are operational in the state and construction of 11 more is underway. Upon completion of the Ganga Expressway, UP will account for 55 percent of the country’s expressway network,” he said.
He said, “UP also boasts the largest railway network and the highest number of operational metro systems in the country. India’s first rapid rail between Delhi and Meerut and the first waterway between Haldia and Varanasi also began in UP.”
The CM said that every district headquarters has been connected by four-lane roads. “In 2017, only two airports were operational, today, the number has risen to 16, including four international airports. The country’s largest airport at Jewar is also nearing completion, positioning UP as no longer landlocked,” he said.
On urban development, he said the state has seen a remarkable transformation. “In 2016–17, 10 of the country’s dirtiest cities were from Uttar Pradesh. Today, 17 municipal corporations in the state have become smart cities. The current year’s budget includes plans to convert the municipality of every district headquarters into a smart city. Lucknow, Varanasi, and Kanpur are being developed as State Development Regions. Besides, India’s first ropeway service is set to launch soon in Varanasi, further boosting urban mobility and tourism,” he said.
Yogi highlighted UP’s rapid progress in the energy sector. “While 1,28,494 villages received electricity between 1947 and 2017, his government electrified 1,21,000 hamlets in just eight years. From 2017 to 2024, over 1.65 crore free power connections were issued to the poor, compared to just 8.44 lakh between 2012 and 2017. Rural areas now receive 18 hours of power, tehsil headquarters 20 hours, and district headquarters 24 hours,” he said.
He said, “Power generation has surged from 6,000 MW to 33,000 MW, with solar capacity rising from 228 MW to 2,653 MW. A 4,000 MW solar project in Bundelkhand is underway, aiming for 22,000 MW of green energy in five years.”
In the health sector, the CM said that until 2017, there were only 12 government medical colleges. “Today, the number has risen to 80, including 44 government institutions,” he said.
He noted significant success in controlling communicable diseases, especially in 36 districts where encephalitis once claimed the lives of children. “We have achieved 85 percent control over acute encephalitis and 99 percent over Japanese encephalitis. The mortality rate due to dengue has reduced by 95 percent and malaria by 56 percent,” he said.
Yogi highlighted tourism growth, noting a surge from 21 crore annual tourists before 2017 to 67 crore in 2023. “The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh alone saw 67 crore devotees. “Faith is now a powerful driver of economic growth, boosted by better connectivity, security, and facilities,” he said.
Discussing fiscal management, he said that over the past eight years, UP’s economy has been strengthened without placing any additional burden on the public or increasing taxes. “We curbed corruption, stopped leakages, expanded income sources, and improved revenue generation. As a result, UP is now a revenue-surplus state,” he said.
He said that UP’s economy, which was Rs 12.75 lakh crore in 2017, has more than doubled to Rs 27.5 lakh crore today. “Per capita income has also grown from Rs 46,000 to Rs 1,24,000. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which amounted to just Rs 3,300 crore from 2000 to 2017, rose to Rs 14,808 crore between 2017 and 2024. The state’s banking business grew from Rs 12.30 lakh crore to Rs 29.66 lakh crore, while the Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio improved from 46 percent to 61 percent,” he said.
Yogi said that UP ranks first in the country in multiple sectors, including food grain, sugarcane and potato production, ethanol output, ease of doing business, project financing, income tax returns, GeM portal procurement, skill development, MSME growth, PM Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Svamitva Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, and life and accident insurance schemes. “This transformation is the result of collective effort, team spirit, and honest commitment,” he said.
