UP Budget: State Allocates Rs 100 Cr For Mahakumbh 2025, Rs 10 Cr For Ayodhya Research Facility

The FM added that as part of the ‘Chief Minister Tourism Development Partnership Scheme’, the government aims to develop one tourist destination in every assembly constituency in the state

The state Budget for FY25 also included the provision of Rs 14.68 crore for establishing the Nishad Raj Guha Cultural Centre, Shringverpur ( Image Source :PTI )

In the Uttar Pradesh Budget 2024-25 presentation on Monday, the State Finance Minister, Suresh Khanna suggested an allocation of Rs 100 crore for hosting the Mahakumbh 2025, in addition to sanctioning funds for setting up an international Ramayan and Vedic research centre in Ayodhya. 

The state Budget for FY25 also included the provision of Rs 14.68 crore for establishing the Nishad Raj Guha Cultural Centre, Shringverpur, Rs 11.79 crore for setting up a music college in Hariharpur, Azamgarh, and Rs 10.53 crore towards establishing the Maharishi Valmiki Cultural Centre at Chitrakoot, reported PTI. 

The state government also suggested Rs 10 crore to be set aside for the International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute in Ayodhya. State FM Khanna noted, “More than 37.9 crore tourists came to Uttar Pradesh from January to October in 2023, out of which the number of Indian tourists was about 37.77 crore and that of foreign tourists was about 13.43 lakh. Like every year, this year also Deepotsav was organised on a large scale in Ayodhya. On this occasion, a Guinness World Record was created by lighting 22 lakh 23 thousand lamps at Ram Ki Pauri.”

The state is looking into developing tourism and undertaking beautification projects in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, Vindhyachal, Prayagraj, Naimisharanya, Gorakhpur, Mathura, Bateshwar Dham, Garhmukteshwar, Shuktirtha Dham, Maa Shakumbhari Devi, Sarnath, and some other prominent tourism destinations. 

The minister added that as part of the ‘Chief Minister Tourism Development Partnership Scheme’, the government aims to develop one tourist destination in every assembly constituency in the state. 

“Previous governments ignored cultural heritage but under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath the work is on to develop them. After the expansion/beautification of the route from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple to river Ganga, the number of devotees has increased by 4 to 5 times. In view of the possible increase in the number of tourists and devotees to pay obeisance at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya district, work of widening/ beautification of 3 access roads and development of parking and public facilities is being done at 6 places,” the finance minister noted.