Minister reviews progress on tourism projects across Lucknow division and district-wise proposals for Action Plan 2026-27
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh held a detailed review today at the Lucknow Divisional Commissioner’s office, going through the progress of projects run by the Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowments department, along with the Action Plan for 2026-27 and assembly-wise tourism development proposals received from across the division, covering financial years 2024 to 2026. He directed executing agencies and the officials concerned to ensure that all development projects worth up to ₹1.50 crore are compulsorily completed by November. He also instructed that the ground-breaking ceremony (bhoomi pujan) for any new project be conducted with the involvement of the area’s Member of Parliament, MLA, and Legislative Council members. Singh warned that violation of these directions would invite strict action, and that any disregard shown toward elected representatives would be treated seriously.
The minister went through, point by point, both proposed and under-construction projects aimed at putting Lucknow’s historical, religious, and archaeological heritage on the national and international map. He directed that the second phase of the Naval Valour Museum under construction in Lucknow be completed by October. He also ordered that work on the ghat being built along the banks of the Sai river be sped up, and that construction of the facade wall at Maharaja Bijli Pasi Fort, along with its tourism development project, be completed by October. Under eco-tourism, he directed that tourism development of the Kukrail Reserve Forest be carried out by November in coordination with local elected representatives.
Singh expressed displeasure over the slow pace of approved projects in various assembly constituencies of Lucknow division, directing that tourism development work at Ravindralaya be finished by October. He warned that strict action would follow if elected representatives failed to conduct the bhoomi pujan needed to get work underway. He further instructed that development work be accelerated so that projects are ready for inauguration before the model code of conduct comes into effect. He also called for a proper review of 16 stalled projects in Lucknow to get them moving again, and directed that tourism development work at Mishrikh in Sitapur district, along with all remaining work at the globally significant heritage site of Naimisharanya, be completed by November.
Turning to Sitapur, the minister voiced dissatisfaction over the slow progress of projects there and directed that the renovation of the Pilgrim Interpretation Centre at the dharamshala in Naimisharanya be completed by November. He also called for faster progress on the tourism development of the ancient Mahadev Temple at Godlamau in Sidhauli, a project worth ₹154.56 crore. He instructed officials to draw up a date-wise schedule for bhoomi pujan ceremonies for tourism development projects in Laharpur, Mishrikh, and Mahmudabad, and to coordinate with local representatives to fix these dates. For Lakhimpur Kheri district, he directed that a corridor connecting the Gola Gokarn Shiv Temple to the roads leading from the railway station and bus stand be built, and that construction work at the Dallu Lal Temple and related facilities — a project worth ₹2,248.73 lakh — be completed by September. He also set a November deadline for projects in the Gola, Balia, Lakhimpur Sadar, Mohammadi, Nighasan, Srinagar, and Kasta assembly constituencies.
Reviewing projects in Raebareli district, Jaiveer Singh said tourism development at the Shaheed Smarak Sthal in Munshiganj should be completed by August 15. He also pressed for faster progress on development projects in the Unchahar, Salon, Harchandpur, Raebareli Sadar, and Bachhrawan assembly constituencies, as well as in Unnao Sadar, Purwa, Bhagwant Nagar, and Bangarmau in Unnao district, and Balamau, Sandila, Sandi, Gopamau, Miyagram, Mallawan, and other constituencies in Hardoi district. He also reviewed work related to the Culture department, including the development, expansion, restoration, and beautification of public Ramlila grounds and other cultural sites, and stressed that the Directorate of Archaeology should prioritise the conservation and upkeep of archaeological sites. Officials of the UP Culture department were directed to ensure ongoing projects across Lucknow division are completed on schedule.
The minister also carried out an in-depth review of assembly-wise tourism development proposals received for the 2026-27 Action Plan, instructing officials to make every effort to get these proposals implemented on the ground by November. He asked that land records related to proposals already received be properly verified before work begins, with priority given to scrutinising land-related documentation before proposals are taken forward. The proposals reviewed spanned assembly constituencies across Lucknow, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Raebareli, Hardoi, and Unnao districts. Singh directed executing agencies and concerned officials to complete all procedural requirements and get construction work moving on the ground, warning that no laxity or indifference would be tolerated.
The review meeting was attended by MLAs, Legislative Council members, and MP representatives from Lucknow, Sitapur, Hardoi, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Unnao districts, along with Diwakar Tripathi, Special Officer to the Union Defence Minister, Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Tourism Director General Vedpati Mishra, Special Secretary (Tourism) Deepa Ranjan and Mridul Chaudhary, Anju Chaudhary, Director of Archaeology Renu Dwivedi, and a large number of officials from the Tourism and Culture departments.
