Budget boost for UP with Varanasi in spotlight

“The completion of these corridors will ensure fast, safe, and convenient rail travel from Capital Delhi to not just Kashi (Varanasi) but also to the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. It will boost the state’s connectivity along with industrial investment and tourist inflow,” said an official of the UP government.

“Furthermore, the acceleration of religious and cultural tourism will generate new employment opportunities in local businesses such as hotels, transport, and tourist guides,” the official added.

Another significant infrastructure proposal for UP, especially Varanasi, included the development of an inland waterways ship repair ecosystem in the district.

It is one out of two ‘ship repair ecosystems’ in the country, with the second one proposed for Patna.

While the initiative is expected to strengthen the waterway-based transportation system on the Ganga River, officials said that the establishment of this ship repair ecosystem will provide local access to maintenance and repair of cargo vessels and ships, reducing both time and cost, and at the same time boost local employment opportunities as well.

In 2018, Prime Minister Modi had inaugurated the Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) on the Ganga in Varanasi, the first of the three Multi-Modal Terminals being constructed on the river. The MMTs are a part of the government’s Jal Marg Vikas project (JMVP) that aims to develop the stretch between Varanasi and Haldia (West Bengal) for navigation of large vessels weighing up to 1500-2000 tonnes. The objective behind the scheme is to promote inland waterways, primarily for cargo movement.

For building capacity, the Union Budget also announced the establishment of training institutes as Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoE) for skill development in the inland waterways sector. Training centres will be set up in Kolkata and Varanasi, enabling youth across the entire waterway stretch to acquire specialised maritime and logistics skills.

Tourism

The UP government’s push for tourism got a boost on Sunday with Union Finance Minister announcing Hastinapur in west UP and Sarnath near Varanasi to be among 15 archeological sites to be developed across the country.

“I propose to develop 15 archeological sites, including Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur, and Leh Palace into vibrant, experiential cultural destinations. Excavated landscapes will be opened to the public through curated walkways. Immersive storytelling skills and technologies will be introduced to help conservation labs, interpretation centres, and guides,” said Sitharaman in her Budget speech.

Officials said that the selection of Sarnath and Hastinapur would further boost tourism not just in Varanasi but also neighbouring parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, as well as the Mathura-Meerut region of western Uttar Pradesh.

Sarnath, located near Varanasi, is a sacred site of Buddhism and a major historical site in the country. It is home to the Dhamekh Stupa, the Chaukhandi Stupa, and the Lion Capital Ashoka Pillar, from which the national emblem of India is derived. Sculptures and remains of Buddhist monasteries from the Mauryan, Gupta, and Pala periods have also been found here.

Whereas, Hastinapur in Meerut district has been linked to the Mahabharata and Harappan periods. “Pandava Tila” and Karna Temple also have major archaeological importance.

“Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon, will be developed in a manner that enhances the visitor experience while maintaining the sanctity of the site. Improved visitor facilities, curated walkways, interpretation centres, and technology-enabled storytelling will help visitors gain deeper insight into Sarnath’s spiritual and historical significance,” said UP Tourism Development Minister Jaiveer Singh, adding that Hastinapur, a major centre of ancient Indian civilisation and a prominent city of the Mahabharata era, will be developed as a comprehensive heritage destination.

“As the capital of the Kuru dynasty, Hastinapur holds immense archaeological and cultural importance. Scientific conservation, improved amenities, and structured interpretation will enable visitors to meaningfully connect with its Mahabharata legacy and its role in India’s civilisational journey,” he said.

The Union Budget also proposed to develop City Economic Regions in tier-2 and tier-3 cities and temple towns across the country, “which need modern infrastructure and basic amenities”. While the Budget proposes allocation of Rs 5000 crore per CER over 5 years, Varanasi, along with cities like Agra, Kanpur would be the top contenders from Uttar Pradesh.

Electronic chips

Uttar Pradesh is also expected to be a major beneficiary of the “India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 1.0” announced in the Union Budget, with the state having already announced its semiconductor policy in 2024.

Further, Uttar Pradesh, considering its size, will also be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Centre’s decision to establish one girls’ hostel in one district as the state has 75 districts.

Referring to the Budget as a “road map” for “developed” and “new Bharat”, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath thanked both PM Modi and Sitharaman, and said, “Right from the seven high-speed rail corridors to setting aside Rs 12 crore for capital expenditure to strengthening health Infrastructure and introducing the new Income Tax Act, this budget has been formed keeping all sections of society in mind — including the youth, women, farmers, traders…”