With the festive season around the corner, Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh has directed officials to accelerate the pace of ongoing pilgrimage and cultural infrastructure projects across the state.
Chairing a high-level review meeting here on Thursday, the minister laid special emphasis on ensuring that key sites like Naimisharanya, Ram Leela grounds, and cultural museums are made ready to welcome devotees and tourists ahead of Dussehra and Diwali.
Calling for a deadline-driven approach, Singh expressed concern over the delayed progress at the sacred Naimisharanya site in Sitapur and instructed that all construction and land-related issues be resolved immediately. “This is the time when thousands of devotees travel across the state. We must ensure that our temples, museums, and cultural spaces are not just ready but welcoming,” he said.
He emphasized that the goal is not only to develop basic amenities for pilgrims but also to transform Naimisharanya into a major tourism destination. He ordered the immediate commencement of work on four sanctioned projects, and instructed the Principal Secretary, Managing Director, architect, and other concerned officials to coordinate with the District Magistrate of Sitapur to make land available wherever there are hurdles.
The minister also directed that the establishment of the Naval Gallantry Museum in Lucknow must be completed at the earliest, underlining the state’s commitment to honoring national pride and enriching tourism offerings in the capital.
He took a comprehensive review of cultural infrastructure projects across the state. He called for swift submission of the inventory for the Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Hariharpur (Azamgarh) and early completion of internal works at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Cultural Centre and Museum in Lucknow.
He also reviewed the progress of the International Roma Memorial and Open-Air Theatre in Kannauj, a culturally significant initiative. Recognizing the upcoming festive calendar, he ordered the beautification and strengthening of Ramlila grounds in Etah, Hardoi, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Mainpuri, and Amroha to be completed before Dussehra.
The Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan building in Gomti Nagar was also reviewed, and updates on its progress were sought.
Singh examined projects sanctioned and approved for FY 2024–25, including those under the Teerth Vikas Parishads, and reviewed the status of over a dozen eco-tourism initiatives. These include projects in Lalitpur, Ambedkarnagar, Mainpuri, Barabanki, Sitapur, Ballia, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Chitrakoot, and Pratapgarh, all sanctioned in FY 2023–24. The minister held a detailed discussion on projects handed to various executing agencies to ensure state-wide eco-tourism promotion remains on track.