UP tourism, culture budgets jump 20-fold since 2017

Lucknow: UP’s tourism and culture sectors have seen a massive rise in government funding over the past few years with tourism budget allocations increasing 22-fold and culture spending rising nearly 20 times since 2017, according to officials at the Tourism Department’s Standing Committee meeting on Tuesday.

Tourism minister Jaiveer Singh said: “the sharp increase speaks for govt’s commitment to transform the state into a leading tourism and cultural hub through planned development, heritage conservation and improved infrastructure.”

Additional chief secretary for tourism, culture and religious affairs, Amrit Abhijat said the enhanced funding had accelerated large-scale projects across religious, cultural and heritage destinations, significantly strengthening the state’s tourism ecosystem.

Officials said the expanded budget had played a crucial role in the development of major spiritual centres such as Ayodhya, Kashi and Prayagraj, while also boosting preparations for landmark events like Mahakumbh 2025.