Uttar Pradesh, regarded as a ‘BIMARU’ and struggling state hindering the nation’s progress until 2017, has now emerged as a frontrunner in multiple sectors across India, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day ‘Utkarsh Ke Aath Varsh’ Vikas Utsav’ (March 25-27), celebrating his government’s eight-year tenure, he said, “Over the past eight years, the state has transformed remarkably, securing the top position or leading in more than 45 Central government schemes.”

Chief Minister Yogi emphasised the state’s progress under the guidance and inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at Mahant Digvijaynath Park in Gorakhpur, he congratulated the people of UP and attributed the state’s transformation to their cooperation and support.

Emphasising that it is the ‘New Uttar Pradesh’ in a ‘New India’, the chief minister remarked that while the state and its systems remained the same as before, the real change began in 2017 with the arrival of a double-engine government under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

He said, “Previously, farmers faced distress, youth struggled for identity, the poor battled starvation, and women and businesses lacked security. However, today, thanks to progressive policies, farmers are self-reliant, women are empowered, youth are finding employment, and the poor are experiencing prosperity. Alongside development, UP’s law and order system has set a benchmark for the country.”

Reflecting on the challenges of this transformation, Chief Minister Yogi noted that the journey was far from easy. He said, “Before 2017, the state was plagued by riots, mafia dominance, illegal land grabs, unregulated mining, animal smuggling, and threats to women and businesses. However, our government took decisive action to dismantle mafia rule and restore governance. Through large-scale initiatives focused on poverty alleviation, employment, and overall development, Uttar Pradesh has now established itself as a leader in multiple domains.”

Chief Minister Yogi stated that UP has completed eight years of remarkable progress, witnessing rapid development across all sectors.

He noted that once neglected, the tourism sector of the state has become one of the country’s leading travel hubs. Infrastructure development has also been unprecedented — earlier, good roads were scarce, but today, UP boasts the highest number of expressways, superior rail and air connectivity, and the most metro networks in India. The state leads food grain production, potato yield, sugarcane cultivation, and ethanol production.”

He credited this transformation to teamwork, public participation and an administration committed to delivering results. With relentless hard work and the collaboration of all stakeholders, the government is pushing the boundaries of progress, he added.

Inaugurating a three-day exhibition showcasing the unprecedented progress and achievements of UP and Gorakhpur over the past eight years, the chief minister went around the stalls set up by 20 government departments and institutions. The Information Department has also curated a special development exhibition in an expansive gallery at the venue, which the chief minister visited to review the displayed progress milestones.

Before addressing the public gathering, Chief Minister Yogi extended support to Divyangjan (persons with disabilities) by distributing 50 tricycles and motorised tricycles — with 25 beneficiaries receiving tricycles and another 25 receiving motorised versions.

On this occasion, he also flagged off a special tricycle rally. During the programme, the chief minister honoured beneficiaries of various welfare schemes by distributing essential resources and certificates. He provided assistive devices to Divyangjan, tablets to youth, Ayushman cards to eligible citizens, loans under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Yojana, and certificates to beneficiaries of the NRLM and agriculture schemes.

Bansgaon MP Kamlesh Paswan and Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan Shukla also addressed the programme, describing Gorakhpur’s development as unprecedented and unimaginable.