UP Budget 2026: Kanpur Included in Solar City and Infrastructure Development Plans
The Uttar Pradesh Budget for 2026 did not announce any special allocations specifically for Kanpur Nagar, but the city has been incorporated into several statewide development initiatives focusing on infrastructure, renewable energy, and urban enhancement.
Solar City Status and Infrastructure Funding
Kanpur Nagar is among 17 municipal corporations in Uttar Pradesh selected to be developed as solar cities. This strategic move aims to help the city achieve self-sufficiency in the power sector by promoting solar energy adoption and reducing dependency on conventional power sources.
Furthermore, the budget has proposed Rs 750 crore for infrastructure development under various development authorities, including the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA). This funding is intended for the betterment of existing projects such as parks, roads, and residential housing complexes, ensuring upgraded facilities and improved urban living standards.
Smart City Mission and EV Charging Stations
Kanpur Nagar continues to be part of the national Smart City Mission, being one of 10 cities from Uttar Pradesh included in the list of 100 selected cities across the country. This inclusion is expected to accelerate ongoing smart city projects, building on previous works worth several crores that have already been executed in the city.
In a push towards sustainable transportation, the state government has allocated Rs 50 crore for establishing EV charging stations statewide. While specific allocations for Kanpur are not detailed, there are strong possibilities that the city will receive a share of this fund, leading to the installation of new EV charging infrastructure to support electric vehicle adoption.
Educational and Industrial Development
The budget also emphasizes educational and skill development, with Rs 714 crore earmarked to establish polytechnic institutions as centers of excellence. Government Polytechnic Vikas Nagar in Kanpur is set to benefit from this allocation, receiving development funds to enhance its facilities and academic offerings.
Additionally, new skill development centers and job placement centers will be established across the state, with Kanpur expected to host several of these initiatives, thereby boosting local employment opportunities and workforce training.
Industry Reactions and Expectations
Industrialist Umang Agarwal praised the budget, particularly highlighting the provision of Rs 10,000 crore for the MSME sector, which he believes will significantly benefit small industries. However, he suggested that separate budget allocations for different industries could be more helpful in addressing specific sectoral needs.
"Industry requires subsidies for enhancement of export. The expected growth in export was not possible till exporters would not get encouragement," Agarwal stated. He also welcomed the budget's promise to establish one lakh micro industries, urging effective execution of this plan.
Asad Iraqi, regional chairman of the Council for Leather Export, expressed that the leather sector had high hopes from the budget. While several sectors benefited, he noted that the leather industry still requires more focused efforts.
"UPCIDA land allocated for the leather industry should be given freehold to benefit the leather industry," Iraqi suggested. He explained that entrepreneurs often hesitate due to lease land concerns, and making it freehold could attract outside investors to Uttar Pradesh, thereby boosting the state's economic growth and industrial diversification.
