UP Budget 2026-27: Tourism and Culture get major push

Finance Minister Suresh Khanna on Wednesday presented Uttar Pradesh’s budget for the financial year 2026-27, with a total outlay of Rs 9.13 lakh crore, marking an increase of about 12.2 per cent over the previous year.

The budget places strong emphasis on infrastructure, welfare, and growth sectors, with tourism and culture emerging as key focus areas aimed at strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s identity as the spiritual and cultural heartland of India.

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Highlighting the growing appeal of the state as a tourism destination, the Finance Minister informed that from January to June 2025, nearly 122 crore tourists visited the state, including more than 121 crore domestic tourists and over 33 lakh foreign visitors. This steady rise reflects increasing faith tourism, family travel, and heritage interest across regions.

To further accelerate development, a provision of Rs 500 crore has been proposed under the Chief Minister Tourism Development Scheme for the development of tourist destinations across the state. Ayodhya continues to remain in focus, with Rs 150 crore proposed for tourism infrastructure development through the Uttar Pradesh Shri Ayodhya Tirth Vikas Parishad.

In a renewed push for religious tourism circuits, Rs 100 crore has been proposed for tourism infrastructure development in the Naimisharanya area through the Uttar Pradesh Shri Naimisharanya Tirth Vikas Parishad. Similarly, development works in Mathura under the Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad have also been proposed to strengthen pilgrimage and family tourism in the Braj region.

The Budget also proposes Rs 100 crore each for enhancing tourist facilities at Vindhyavasini Devi Dham and in Varanasi, further strengthening the Varanasi-Mirzapur belt as a major spiritual and cultural tourism zone. These provisions are expected to improve connectivity, amenities, and visitor experience for pilgrims, families, and international tourists alike.

On the cultural front, the state government has continued its focus on preserving heritage and honouring national icons. The Tharu Janjati Sanskriti Sangrahalaya at Imilia Koder in Balrampur has been constructed and inaugurated, showcasing tribal heritage. In Ramnagar, Varanasi, a museum has been established at the ancestral residence of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and opened to the public.

A cultural complex at the ancestral village of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Bateshwar has also been completed and inaugurated. Construction of the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial and Cultural Centre is underway in Aishbagh, Lucknow. Additionally, a Nishadraj Guha Cultural Centre has been established in Prayagraj, highlighting the state’s effort to celebrate diverse social and cultural traditions.

State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Finance Minister Suresh Khanna for prioritising tourism and cultural development in the Budget. He said the sharp rise in tourist footfall reflects growing faith and confidence in Uttar Pradesh’s destinations: Varanasi had increased visitors from nearly 11.01 crore in 2024 to more than 17.30 crore in 2025, Ayodhya from over 16.44 crore to more than 29.95 crore, and Mathura from nearly 9.01 crore to over 10.24 crore, while Prayagraj witnessed an unprecedented surge during Mahakumbh 2025 with more than 66 crore devotees.

He further noted that in 2026, the ongoing Magh Mela had already seen over 21 crore devotees, reflecting consistent faith and participation. The number in Mirzapur rose from more than 1.41 crore to over 2.10 crore, and in Chitrakoot from more than 1.18 crore to over 3.65 crore during the same period.

He added that the enhanced budget focus on Ayodhya, Naimisharanya, Varanasi, Vindhyachal, Mathura, and Prayagraj will further strengthen tourist amenities, increase visitor comfort, and extend average stays from two to three days to nearly a week, thereby boosting local economies and employment across the state.