Rs 150 crore for Ayodhya tourism development

With Rs 150 crore proposed for tourism infrastructure in Ayodhya and Rs 500 crore under the Chief Minister Tourism Places Development Scheme, the Uttar Pradesh Budget 2026-27, tabled on Wednesday, places strong emphasis on spiritual tourism, according to an official statement.

Finance Minister Suresh Khanna presented the Budget in the Assembly, outlining allocations aimed at strengthening pilgrimage circuits and enhancing visitor amenities across key religious destinations. Under the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple access road project, construction of the main approach road ‘Ram Path’ in Ayodhya is nearing completion, the statement said.

Work is also underway to upgrade the road connecting the proposed Vedic Wellness City at Jamthara to the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, it said.  The Uttar Pradesh Shri Ayodhya Teerth Vikas Parishad has been allocated Rs 150 crore for tourism infrastructure development in the Ayodhya region.

Highlighting the surge in footfall, the statement said that between January and June 2025, nearly 122 crore tourists visited the State, including over 121 crore domestic and more than 33 lakh foreign tourists.

In Mirzapur’s Trikoniya area, covering Maa Vindhyavasini, Maa Ashtabhuja and Maa Kali Khoh temples, Rs 200 crore has been proposed for the development of ‘parikrama’ paths and public amenities.

Strong foundation for Viksit Bharat-2047: Yogi Adityanath

Lucknow: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the 2026-27 Budget will lay a strong foundation for the construction of Viksit Bharat-2047 and a bright future for a “new Uttar Pradesh.” State Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna is scheduled to present the Budget in the Assembly later in the day.  In a series of posts on his X, Adityanath said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh is moving steadily towards becoming a strong, self-reliant, and prosperous state with a policy focus on good governance, inclusive development, and public welfare. He said the Budget would provide new direction, energy, clear policy vision and a concrete action plan to build an “Atmanirbhar-Viksit Uttar Pradesh” and progress towards its goal of a $1 trillion economy. The chief minister said the Budget, centred on the welfare of the poor, empowerment of youth, prosperity of farmers and dignity of women, reflects the Government’s commitment to the aspirations of 25 crore people of the State.