Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced in the state assembly that the Jewar International Airport in Noida, the state’s fifth international airport, will begin operations from next month. The airport is set to be the largest in India and a symbol of Uttar Pradesh’s rapid infrastructural development.
The Chief Minister highlighted the transformation of the state since 2017, noting that prior to that, Uttar Pradesh had only four airports, of which two were fully operational and two partially. Today, the state boasts 16 operational airports, reflecting significant progress in connectivity and infrastructure.
Infrastructure and Economic Growth
Speaking in the assembly, CM Yogi Adityanath drew comparisons between 2017 and the present, emphasizing infrastructure growth. He noted that the state had only 1.5 expressways in 2017, whereas now 22 expressways are operational.
Economic growth has also been remarkable. The state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), which was around ₹12.88 lakh crore during 2012–16, has now risen to ₹35–36 lakh crore. Per capita income has increased from ₹43,000 to nearly ₹1,20,000, indicating significant improvement in economic standards.
The Chief Minister also criticized previous governments for mismanagement in education and recruitment, citing that high school and intermediate third-division graduates were appointed as commission heads, which he said harmed the future prospects of youth in the state.
Law and Order Improvements
CM Yogi Adityanath stated that Uttar Pradesh’s law and order situation has drastically improved since 2017. He asserted that under previous governments, the state suffered from poor security and criminal activity. Today, he claimed, both residents and visitors perceive Uttar Pradesh as safe and orderly, with no curfews or riots.
He also noted that investor confidence has increased, with the state attracting numerous investment proposals. He highlighted that 55% of India’s mobile phones are now manufactured in Uttar Pradesh, and groundbreaking for ₹5 lakh crore projects is underway. So far, 45 lakh crore rupees worth of investment proposals have been received, with 7 lakh youth employed directly.
Welfare Schemes and Anti-Corruption Measures
On welfare programs, the Chief Minister emphasized that benefits were distributed without discrimination, covering housing, ration, Ujjwala gas, Ayushman cards, and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Special measures were also taken to include previously excluded beneficiaries.
He further criticized past governments for corruption in state projects. Citing examples like JPNIC and Gomti Riverfront, he noted cost overruns and incomplete projects, contrasting this with the current government’s efficient execution of the Purvanchal Expressway, completed under budget with better quality standards.
Governance and Accountability
CM Yogi Adityanath stressed that the opposition’s role is to critique the government, but highlighted the difference in governance between the BJP and previous administrations. He argued that had previous governments implemented these measures, the state’s current development trajectory would have been very different.
