Uttar Pradesh Budget 2025: In boost to higher education & infra, FM announces scooters for girls, AI city, 4 expressways

With an eye on fulfilling electoral promises, the budget introduced several new schemes. Notably, a provision has been made to distribute scooters to eligible girls pursuing higher education under the Rani Laxmibai Scooty Yojana, for which Rs 400 crore has been allocated.

The budget prioritised infrastructure development, with allocations for the construction of four new expressways:

Agra-Lucknow Expressway to Ganga Expressway: A greenfield expressway linking Agra-Lucknow Expressway to Ganga Expressway in Kausia, Hardoi, via Farrukhabad, with Rs 900 crore allocated.

Vindhya Expressway: A corridor connecting Ganga Expressway to Sonbhadra via Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Varanasi, and Chandauli, with an initial provision of Rs 50 crore.

Ganga Expressway Extension: A stretch connecting Meerut to Haridwar, with Rs 50 crore allocated.

Bundelkhand Rewa Expressway: Proposed with an initial provision of Rs 50 crore.

Additionally, Rs 461 crore has been earmarked for the Defense Industrial Corridor project along the Bundelkhand Expressway, further bolstering the state’s industrial and defense manufacturing capabilities.

The budget also emphasises technological advancements, with a Rs 5 crore provision for the development of an Artificial Intelligence City in Lucknow. Furthermore, Rs 3 crore has been set aside for establishing a Technology Translation Research Park under Cyber Security initiatives.

The state government has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the maintenance of stray cattle, along with Rs 140 crore for the establishment of large cattle conservation centers.

The budget also focuses on enhancing religious tourism and preserving places of religious significance. Notable allocations include:

Banke Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple Corridor (Mathura-Vrindavan): Rs 100 crore for land purchase and Rs 50 crore for construction.

Maa Vindhyavasini Temple Development (Mirzapur): Rs 100 crore for land acquisition and an additional Rs 100 crore for the development of the Parikrama Path and public facilities for Maa Vindhyavasini, Maa Ashtabhuja, and Maa Kali Khoh temples.

Temple Renovation: Rs 30 crore allocated for the renovation and reconstruction of conserved temples.

Ved Vigyan Kendra in Naimisharanya (Sitapur District): Rs 100 crore for its establishment.

This marks the ninth consecutive budget under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration, according to PTI reports. Ahead of the budget presentation, Adityanath convened a meeting with his cabinet ministers at his residence to discuss key financial priorities.