Chitrakoot: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 124 development projects worth ₹951 crore in Chitrakoot, giving a major boost to infrastructure, connectivity, tourism and industrial growth in the region.
During the event held in Chitrakoot on July 8, the Chief Minister announced that the historic and religious city will soon be connected with direct air services to Delhi and Lucknow with the arrival of new aircraft.
The projects launched include roads, bridges, educational facilities, tourism infrastructure, sports facilities and public service buildings aimed at transforming Chitrakoot into a modern development hub while preserving its spiritual importance.
₹394 Crore Projects Inaugurated and ₹556 Crore Projects Receive Foundation Approval
The Chief Minister inaugurated completed projects worth ₹394.70 crore and laid the foundation stone for new projects worth ₹556.18 crore.
Among the major completed works were:
- Development projects worth ₹180.62 crore covering 22 works in the Chitrakoot Sadar assembly area.
- Projects worth ₹214.07 crore covering 27 works in the Manikpur region.
- A new junior high school building at Naveen Sanket in Manikpur built at a cost of ₹15.40 crore, aimed at supporting education for children with disabilities.
- A ₹144 crore bridge over the Yamuna River connecting Mau to Mawai in Kaushambi.
- New Saradhua police station building.
- Rurban entrepreneurship training and development centre.
The foundation stones were laid for several important projects, including road widening, bridges, tourism facilities and sports infrastructure.
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Chitrakoot to Get Better Connectivity and Tourism Infrastructure
CM Yogi Adityanath said that the government is working to improve Chitrakoot’s connectivity and transform it into a major religious tourism destination.
He announced that direct air connectivity between Chitrakoot, Delhi and Lucknow will begin soon, strengthening access to the region for tourists, investors and residents.
The upcoming projects include:
- Widening of the Karvi-Budha Semarwar-Rajapur road.
- Construction of the Ramayan Darshan Centre on the Parikrama Marg.
- Bridge construction over the Gunta River.
- Repair of six bridges and culverts.
- Development of a synthetic running track at the sports stadium.
The Chief Minister said these initiatives will strengthen tourism and create new economic opportunities for local communities.
Chitrakoot Emerging as Defence and Industrial Hub
CM Yogi highlighted the development of the Defence Manufacturing Corridor in Chitrakoot and said the region is moving towards becoming a centre for both knowledge and defence production.
He said that a major industrial investment is expected soon in the defence sector, which will generate employment opportunities and strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s role in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The Chief Minister also mentioned India’s growing defence capabilities and the export potential of defence products manufactured in Uttar Pradesh.
Bundelkhand Expressway Becomes Growth Engine for Region
The Chief Minister said that the Bundelkhand Expressway has become a lifeline for the region, improving connectivity and accelerating economic activities.
He added that construction work beyond Bharatkoop is progressing rapidly and will further enhance transportation links across Bundelkhand.
According to the Chief Minister, Chitrakoot has witnessed a major transformation under the double-engine government, moving away from earlier challenges of poor infrastructure and insecurity.
Religious Heritage and Spiritual Tourism Get Major Push
CM Yogi described Chitrakoot as a symbol of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, highlighting its association with Lord Shri Ram’s exile period.
He said the government is focusing on developing important religious sites, including:
- Lalapur Ashram of Maharishi Valmiki.
- Rajapur, the birthplace of Goswami Tulsidas.
- Mandakini River banks.
- Kamadgiri Parikrama Marg.
The government is also promoting eco-tourism through the Ranipur Tiger Reserve to create new tourism opportunities.
Jagadguru Ram Bhadracharya University Gets New Recognition
The Chief Minister highlighted that Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang University has been granted state university status, which will further strengthen education and development in the region.
He said Chitrakoot has the potential to become a centre of both “Shastra and Shastra” — representing knowledge and defence capabilities.
Government Schemes Reaching People Directly
CM Yogi said that the Uttar Pradesh government is ensuring that welfare schemes reach every section of society without discrimination.
He highlighted government initiatives including:
- Free ration distribution.
- Housing schemes.
- Toilet construction.
- Electricity connections.
- LPG connections.
- Health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat.
He added that more than 9.5 lakh youth have received government jobs through transparent recruitment processes in Uttar Pradesh.
CM Yogi Criticises Previous Governments Over Development Issues
During his address, CM Yogi criticised previous governments, alleging that Chitrakoot was neglected before 2017 due to poor governance and lack of development focus.
He said that the present government has prioritised infrastructure, religious tourism and industrial development in the region.
The Chief Minister also targeted opposition parties over their views on religious heritage and accused them of ignoring India’s cultural identity.
Focus on Developed Chitrakoot and Developed India 2047
CM Yogi said that the youth of Chitrakoot will play a key role in building a developed region and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
He praised students and management of Chitrakoot Inter College, which has more than 7,000 students, and said educated youth will become the foundation of future growth.
The event was attended by several ministers, legislators, administrative officials and public representatives, including Minister of State for Public Works Department Kunwar Brijesh Singh and other senior leaders.
Chitrakoot Development Push: A New Phase of Growth
The launch of ₹951 crore projects marks a significant step towards transforming Chitrakoot into a centre of religious tourism, infrastructure development, defence manufacturing and economic growth.
With improved roads, upcoming air connectivity, tourism projects and industrial investments, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to position Chitrakoot as one of the emerging development destinations of the state.
