The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday presented a record Budget of Rs 9.12 lakh crore for the financial year 2026-27, marking a 12.9 per cent increase over the previous year. The outlay places emphasis on infrastructure expansion, spiritual tourism, employment generation and healthcare.
Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, while presenting the Budget in the Assembly, said capital expenditure has been pegged at 19.5 per cent of the total outlay. Sector-wise allocations include 12.4 per cent for education, 6 per cent for health, and 9 per cent for agriculture and allied activities.
A sum of Rs 34,468 crore has been earmarked for roads and bridges. The Budget also provides Rs 3,822 crore for MSMEs, Rs 315 crore for a Cancer Institute in Lucknow and Rs 100 crore for working women's hostels.
The state’s Gross State Domestic Product is estimated at Rs 30.26 lakh crore for 2024-25, reflecting a growth rate of 13.4 per cent. Per capita income is projected to rise to Rs 1.2 lakh in 2025-26. The unemployment rate, according to the finance minister, has declined to 2.24 per cent.
Religious Tourism In Focus
Alongside infrastructure and social sector spending, the Budget places clear emphasis on religious tourism. A provision of Rs 150 crore has been made for tourism infrastructure in Ayodhya through the Uttar Pradesh Shri Ayodhya Teerth Vikas Parishad. An allocation of Rs 500 crore has been proposed under the Chief Minister Tourism Places Development Scheme.
Construction of the main approach road, Ram Path, under the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple access road project is nearing completion. Work is also underway to upgrade the road connecting the proposed Vedic Wellness City at Jamthara to the Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex.
In Mirzapur’s Trikoniya area, which includes the Maa Vindhyavasini, Maa Ashtabhuja and Maa Kali Khoh temples, Rs 200 crore has been proposed for the development of parikrama paths and public amenities. An additional Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the renovation and reconstruction of protected public temples.
Tourism Footfall And Projects
Separate allocations of Rs 100 crore each have been proposed for tourist facilities at Vindhyavasini Devi Dham and in Varanasi. Another Rs 100 crore has been set aside for tourism infrastructure in Naimisharanya through the Shri Naimisharanya Teerth Vikas Parishad. Provision has also been proposed for development works in Mathura under the Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad.
Between January and June 2025, nearly 122 crore tourists visited the state, including over 121 crore domestic travellers and more than 33 lakh foreign visitors, according to the official statement.
In Kashi, the first and second phases of the Vedic Science Centre have been completed and academic activities have commenced. Several cultural projects, including museums and memorial complexes linked to prominent personalities and communities, have also been completed or are underway.
Political Reaction And Clusters
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said this was the tenth Budget presented by his government in nine years, adding that no new taxes had been imposed during this period. He also referred to provisions for advancing development plans in clusters such as the City Economic Zone, the Kashi-Mirzapur Economic Zone, the Prayagraj-Chitrakoot Economic Zone and the Kanpur-Jhansi Economic Zone.
The Budget drew political reaction, with former Chief Minister of UP and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav describing it as the government’s “farewell Budget”.
With expanded allocations across infrastructure, tourism and economic clusters, the 2026-27 Budget signals the state government’s continued focus on capital expenditure and religious tourism alongside social and industrial development. |
