UP govt approves Temple Museum in Ayodhya, disability rehabilitation centers in all divisions & drinking water projects

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a mega Temple Museum in Ayodhya, District Disability Rehabilitation Centers (DDRCs) in all divisions, and drinking water projects in Bareilly and Kanpur. Besides the sportsperson in UP government job will not be required to take leave for participation in the national and international events.

The decisions were taken in the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here on Tuesday. Briefing media persons, state Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said that the state Cabinet has approved the expanded scope of the proposed world-class Temple Museum in Ayodhya, to be developed in collaboration with Tata Sons. “Tata Sons has proposed to develop and operate the state-of-the-art museum using its CSR funds. For this purpose, a Section 8 (non-profit) company will be established under the Companies Act, 2013, with representation from the Government of India and the Uttar Pradesh government. A tripartite MoU for land allocation was signed on September 3, 2024, between the Government of India, the Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Tata Sons,” he added.

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Khanna informed that the state government had earlier allotted 25 acres of Nazul land in Manjha Jamthara village, Ayodhya, to Tata Sons on a 90-year lease. “Tata Sons later sought additional land to match the museum’s envisioned scale and design. Accordingly, the government will now transfer an extra 27.102 acres, taking the total to 52.102 acres, from the Housing and Urban Planning Department to the Tourism Department for the project’s expansion.”

He noted that the completion of this world-class museum is expected to give Ayodhya a distinct cultural identity, create substantial direct and indirect employment, and significantly boost tourism-driven revenue. “Since the consecration ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and the flag hoisting ceremony, tourist footfall in Ayodhya has surged dramatically, with nearly 2-4 lakh visitors arriving daily. The upcoming museum will enhance Ayodhya’s cultural offerings, especially for youth, international tourists, and those keen to explore India’s civilizational heritage,” he said.

The state government approved the establishment of new DDRCs in all 18 divisions of Uttar Pradesh. At present, 38 districts have such centers, but operational challenges in several areas have limited their effectiveness.

The government is now upgrading the entire infrastructure and restarting services to ensure uninterrupted support for individuals with disabilities.

Suresh Khanna said, “The new DDRCs will function as single-window service hubs, offering surveys, identification, camps, assistive devices, prosthetic limb fitting, and skill training. These centers will also provide essential diagnostic services, including physiotherapy and speech therapy. With this initiative, people will no longer need to make repeated visits to obtain documents such as UDID cards or disability certificates. The government believes that this step will ensure timely, accessible benefits and significantly strengthen the rehabilitation ecosystem across the state.”

The Uttar Pradesh government has also extended significant relief to appointed athletes by clarifying that their entire duration of participation in national and international competitions, along with training camps, related activities, and travel time, will now be treated as “duty.” This decision by the Yogi government removes hurdles athletes previously faced while seeking permissions.

This move will not only support athletes in advancing their sporting careers but also strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s representation in national and global arenas.”

The Cabinet has also approved an MoU with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for the management, operation, and maintenance of the under-construction Dr. Sampurnanand Sports Stadium in Sigra, Varanasi. The stadium, equipped with modern sports infrastructure under the Khelo India scheme, will now be developed as a National Center of Excellence.

Meanwhile, the UP government has approved two significant projects aimed at strengthening urban drinking water infrastructure in Bareilly and Kanpur.

Finance Minister Suresh Khanna announced that projects worth ₹582.74 crore have been sanctioned under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT 2.0). These initiatives will enhance water supply systems and expand pipeline networks in both municipal corporation areas, benefiting millions of residents.

These two projects will deliver modern, reliable drinking water systems in two major urban centers of Uttar Pradesh.