The Yogi government has made provisions worth crores of rupees in the budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 for various schemes aimed at boosting religious tourism and enhancing civic amenities in the Varanasi division and Vindhya regions.
In this sequence, a budget of Rs 400 crore has been released for the establishment of a medical college in Varanasi, Rs 100 crore for ropeway and infrastructure projects and Rs 150 crore for land acquisition for the establishment of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
Kashi is an example of ancient culture
Referring to Kashi-Ayodhya in the budget speech, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna said that India’s culture has been very rich in religious, intellectual and scientific terms. It remains a wonder for the world how this ancient culture, despite external invasions over centuries, has still remained intact, he remarked.
He remarked that while previous governments neglected our cultural heritage, under the leadership of PM Modi and CM Yogi, India’s cultural heritage is becoming more vibrant.
He said that focusing on the increasing pilgrimage tourism in Kashi and Ayodhya, CM Yogi mentioned in the press conference that UP has immense potential for spiritual tourism. Paving the way for the revival and beautification of not only Kashi-Ayodhya but also religious and tourist places across the state also ensures economic development in Uttar Pradesh.
Highlights of the Budget Address
- Provision of Rs 400 crore for the establishment of a medical college in Varanasi.
Rs 150 crore allocated for land acquisition for the establishment of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Varanasi.
- In the ‘Trikon’ area of Vindhyachal in Mirzapur district, work is underway to upgrade the ‘Parikrama Marg’ and public facilities falling in the triangular alignment connecting Maa Vindhyavasini Temple, Maa Ashtabhuja Temple, Maa Kalikhoh Temple.
- Rs 100 crore proposed for the all-round development of Ayodhya. Budget provision of Rs 100 crore made for the development of infrastructure facilities in the Lucknow development area and areas of all development authorities of the state, as well as for the development of ropeway services in Varanasi and other cities.
- Rs 11.79 crore provisioned for the establishment of a music college in Hariharpur, Azamgarh.
- Under the “Mukhyamantri Paryatan Vikas Sahbhagita Yojana”, there is a plan to develop one tourist destination in each assembly constituency of Uttar Pradesh. The path for development of tourist places will also be paved in the districts of Varanasi division and Vindhya region.
- A provision of Rs 1750 crore for the development of ‘dharmarth margs’, which will pave the way for the rejuvenation of major routes of the pilgrimage areas of Varanasi division.
- For the establishment of Maa Vindhyavasini State University in the Vindhyaachal Dham division, one state university in the Moradabad division, and Maa Pateshwari State University in the Devi Patan division, a provision of Rs 51.20 crore is proposed for each university.
- Establishment of a Government Homeopathic Medical College in Varanasi district.
- Ayodhya and Varanasi cities are being developed as solar cities.
Budget acknowledgements for Varanasi
– Enhancement of the route from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the Ganges, resulting in a fourfold increase in the number of pilgrims.
– Varanasi’s role as a major player in the increased tourism in Uttar Pradesh is emphasized.
– Varanasi’s growth in religious tourism has gained recognition globally, positioning it as a global tourist destination.
– Mention of the development and beautification process for other pilgrimage sites in the Varanasi Mandal and the tourism development in the Vindhya region, rich in natural heritage and tourist areas.
