Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday stated that his government has spent the last nine years strengthening the foundation of the state and “filling the potholes created by the previous government.” He asserted that the time has come to propel the state forward at the “speed of a bullet train.”
Addressing the CII Annual Business Summit
Speaking at the annual business summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, the Chief Minister projected Uttar Pradesh as a transformed state that has emerged from the shadows of poor law and order, mafia dominance, and migration to become a major engine of India’s economic growth.
“Economic progress of any nation depends on its manufacturing strength. When industries and entrepreneurship grow, employment, investment, and prosperity automatically follow,” Yogi said, emphasizing that no country can afford to ignore its entrepreneurs.
Strength Leads to Compassion
The CM remarked that India’s economic and strategic strength would pave the way for global welfare and humanity. Referring to the anniversary of the restoration of the Somnath temple and the Pokhran nuclear tests conducted under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Yogi noted that nations possessing strength are better positioned to promote compassion and friendship. “Only those who are powerful can lead with compassion and confidence. Merely pleading before the world will not earn respect,” he observed.
Overcoming Identity Crisis
The Chief Minister said Uttar Pradesh once struggled with an identity crisis. “People used to distance themselves from the state. There were over 300 riots annually, businessmen faced extortion, and industries were fleeing,” he recalled. Describing the condition of roads before 2017, he remarked that travelers could identify the UP border simply by the potholes after dark.
Yogi shared that his experience managing the Gorakhnath Math helped him in governing the state. “A math functions with discipline, time management, and financial accountability. I implemented the same principles in governance,” he explained.
Restoring Rule of Law
He claimed that restoring the rule of law and ending “policy paralysis” were among the first priorities of his government. Citing Prayagraj as an example, he said there was a time when a mafia don could stop the convoy of the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice. “Such incidents are no longer imaginable in the state,” he asserted.
Investment Climate and Infrastructure
Highlighting improvements in the investment climate and infrastructure, the CM said the government had focused on land banks, industrial policies, and strengthening supply chains. He noted that the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, launched in 2018, had helped local products gain global recognition through better design, branding, and packaging.
Tourism and Religious Economy
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s tourism and religious economy, stating that Uttar Pradesh received 156 crore tourists last year, including devotees who attended the Maha Kumbh. He said destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura-Vrindavan, Vindhyachal, and Buddhist circuits are being developed as world-class spiritual and cultural destinations.
Industry Leaders Applaud ‘Yogi Model’
Meanwhile, industry leaders at the summit appreciated what they described as the “Yogi model” of governance and development in Uttar Pradesh. CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said UP had made remarkable contributions to India’s economic growth. CII President Rajiv Memani described the changes in UP as a “phenomenal transformation.”
