From ‘bottleneck state’, UP emerged as ‘breakthrough state’: Governor

Lucknow: Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday said that in the past few years, Uttar Pradesh has transformed itself from a "bottleneck state" to a "breakthrough state" achieving tangible progress in the areas of good governance, law and order, economic empowerment, agricultural expansion, women's empowerment and infrastructure development.Addressing the joint sitting of both houses of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature on the first day of the Budget session, Patel highlighted the achievements of the Yogi Adityanath govt and said that the law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh was emerging as an effective benchmark across the country.
"The govt's balanced approach of firmness and sensitivity has established decisive control over organized crime and mafia networks. Through the extensive use of modern technology, strengthening of the police force, swift and effective justice delivery and transparent administrative systems, a fear-free and trust-based environment has been created in the state," she said."This secure environment is making Uttar Pradesh one of the country's most attractive and reliable destinations for industry, business, startups, investment and large-scale employment generation," she added.Patel said that with the resolve of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', nearly six crore people in the state had been lifted out of poverty.Highlighting achievements in infrastructure development, the governor said that connectivity, transportation and logistics in Uttar Pradesh have been given a new direction. She said that 168 development block headquarters had been connected with double-lane roads, while construction of 161 roads with a total length of 1,410km has been completed.The govt had set a target of strengthening 46,600km of roads by 2025-26, of which nearly 28,000km have already been upgraded."The govt believes in taking problems to their logical solutions. In line with the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar, the govt is committed to making 2026 a strong symbol of ‘Antyodaya', social justice and inclusive public welfare by keeping the goal of zero poverty at the centre of its policies," she said."The govt is moving forward with firm resolve to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. I am pleased that a very meaningful discussion was held in the state legislature for preparing the Developed India, Developed Uttar Pradesh @2047 vision document," Patel said.The governor said UP had established itself as a surplus grain state in the country, and highlighted the govt's efforts in oilseeds, pulses and seed processing.She mentioned state initiatives such as coarse grains promotion, natural farming, Kisan Samriddhi Yojana, PM-KUSUM scheme, farm pond scheme, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, as successful.Patel said that since 2017, a record payment of more than Rs 3 lakh crore has been made towards sugarcane dues. She said cow protection is among the top priorities of the govt, and currently 12,38,547 cattle are being sheltered in 7,497 cow shelters across the state.The governor said that under the CM's Fisheries Wealth Scheme, construction of 2,163 hectares of ponds and 291 hectares of rearing units was completed between 2020 and 2025.Patel said that during Maha Kumbh-2025, the water quality of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj was maintained as per prescribed standards. She mentioned the State Clean Ganga Mission, Uttar Pradesh, receiving the Platinum Scotch Award for 2024-25.She said that 26,81,403 people have been covered under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana so far, and that under the pre-matric scholarship scheme, Rs 325 crore was allocated during 2025-27 to benefit nearly 11 lakh OBC students of classes 9 and 10.She said that since 2018, employment had been provided to 69 dependents of "martyrs" and outlined progress in the renovation of religious and mythological sites, power supply, MGNREGA, sports, and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana."To achieve the goal of making Uttar Pradesh a one-trillion-dollar economy, there was a proposal to develop 100 new townships over the next five years, with construction already underway in 34 of them," he said.Highlighting sweeping reforms in power sector, she said that UP has witnessed a historic transformation in electricity supply. "At present, uninterrupted power is being ensured for 24 hours in urban headquarters, 21 hours in tehsil headquarters and 19 hours in rural areas," she said.The governor highlighted notable achievements in forests and environmental conservation, stating that since 2017, a total of 242.13 crore saplings have been planted, increasing the state's forest cover to 9.96%.Referring to extensive reforms in mining sector, she said, "Since 2017, the state has earned mining revenue of Rs 28,920 crore, compared to just Rs 7,712 crore during 2012-17."On progress in urban development and housing, she said that under PM Awas Yojana (Rural), 3.637 million houses has been constructed. Similarly, under the CM Awas Yojana (Rural), construction of 367,000 houses has been fully completed so far, she said.Highlighting the achievements in the field of education, the governor said that 6,808 assistant teachers and 1,939 govt teachers had been appointed in the state, thereby strengthening the educational framework through a total of 8,966 new appointments.