Rs 4K cr spent on Kumbh to yield revenue of Rs 3 lakh cr: CM

Lucknow: Hitting out at the Opposition for questioning the expenditure of Rs 4,000 crore on the organisation of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj this year, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that only Rs 1,500 crore was spent on the Kumbh while the remaining was invested in improving Prayagraj's infrastructure.
"Maha Kumbh is not just a religious event but also a major economic driver for Uttar Pradesh. How can an investment of Rs 1,500 crore which is contributing Rs 3 lakh crore to the state's economy by boosting tourism and trade be questioned," he said.
Attending the inauguration of two major flyover projects in Lucknow with defence minister Rajnath Singh and Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari, the CM thanked the duo for ensuring UP's development.
Saying that Lucknow is being developed not only as an Aero City but also as an Artificial Intelligence (AI) City, Yogi said: "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP is now equipped with modern facilities, providing every citizen with better infrastructure and public services."
Under Gadkari's leadership, he said, Lucknow has been gifted development projects worth over Rs 1,000 crore, including two major National Highway projects costing Rs 440 crore and state projects worth nearly Rs 600 crore.
He highlighted that efforts are being made to develop Lucknow into a metro-level city with world-class infrastructure.
"To accommodate the massive influx of devotees at the Maha Kumbh, the state has enhanced connectivity via road, rail, and air. Most devotees are arriving by road, with infrastructure projects approved by Gadkari ji playing a crucial role. On Mauni Amavasya, a staggering 8 crore devotees bathed at the Sangam, and the seamless arrangements ensured zero disruption," the CM claimed.
Yogi also requested Gadkari to clear two projects-- new bridge parallel to Shastri Bridge and a signature bridge over the Yamuna River in Prayagraj, which were recently approved by the state Cabinet. These projects, he said, would not only facilitate large-scale events like the Maha Kumbh but also enhance Prayagraj's overall connectivity.
The CM also praised Singh for his significant contribution to UP's development, especially Lucknow, which he represents in Lok Sabha.
He highlighted Singh's crucial role in advancing the BrahMos missile manufacturing project under Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Lucknow and bringing major projects to Jhansi, strengthening UP as a defence manufacturing hub under the Defence Corridor initiative.
Elaborating on Lucknow's transformation, yogi said the city was being systematically developed on the model of a State Capital Region.
"Key projects like Green Corridor, Kisan Path, International Convention Centre, and an International Airport are shaping Lucknow into a global city. Additionally, plans are underway to connect Yamuna Expressway and Purvanchal Expressway, positioning Lucknow as a transportation hub," he said.
The CM also thanked the defence minister for the land on which the Maha Kumbh grounds have been set up.
Highlighting UP's transformation, the CM said: "The state is emerging as ‘New Uttar Pradesh of New India' under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. It is rapidly developing as India's growth engine, with remarkable progress in investment, industry, tourism and infrastructure, bringing world-class facilities to its people."