UP govt announces 150 crore budget for Mathura-Vrindavan Banke Bihari Corridor

The Uttar Pradesh government has made a significant allocation in the 2025-26 budget to boost tourism and religious infrastructure in the state. Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, presenting the budget under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, highlighted that more than 65 crore tourists visited UP between January and December 2024, including 14 lakh foreign tourists.

To enhance the tourism experience, the government has proposed ₹400 crore under the Chief Minister's Tourist Places Development Scheme. This includes ₹150 crore for Ayodhya, ₹125 crore for Mathura, and ₹100 crore for Naimisharanya to improve tourism infrastructure. Additionally, ₹100 crore has been earmarked for setting up way-side amenities along major highways, and ₹50 crore for the development of Chitrakoot.

The Yogi government is also focused on religious and charitable projects. A ₹100 crore budget has been proposed for purchasing land, along with ₹50 crore for construction, for the Shri Banke Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple Mathura-Vrindavan Corridor. Similarly, ₹100 crore is allocated for land acquisition, and another ₹100 crore for large-scale construction, for the development of Parikrama Path and public facilities at Maa Vindhyavasini Temple, Maa Ashtabhuja Temple, and Maa Kali Khoh Temple in Mirzapur.

In another major announcement, a Veda Science Centre will be established in Naimisharanya, Sitapur, with an allocation of ₹100 crore. The government aims to promote Vedic knowledge and research through this initiative. Additionally, ₹30 crore has been earmarked for the renovation and reconstruction of protected temples to make them more accessible for devotees.

The budget underscores the state’s push to position Uttar Pradesh as a premier religious and heritage tourism destination. The investments are expected to boost local economies, generate employment, and enhance the overall pilgrimage experience.