Vidushi Gaur/Lucknow

Driven by sustained improvements in infrastructure, governance reforms, and a strong focus on law and order, Uttar Pradesh is turning into an attractive investment landscape.

In a recent interview with a news agency, CM Yogi Adityanath said, “Uttar Pradesh is no longer known for riots, extortion or insecurity. Today, it stands among the most attractive investment destinations in the country.”

The opposition led by former CM Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the Yogi government for taking credit for projects initiated by his government.

However, it is a fact that in the past decade, the state government has undertaken massive infrastructure expansion, particularly in road, rail, and air connectivity.

The recent arrival of the first international chartered flight from Tokyo at the recently constructed Jewar Airport terminal is being described as a milestone in the state’s growing integration with global supply chains.

Government officials said Jewar is being positioned as a major aviation and logistics hub for northern India. “This airport is not just about passenger traffic. But it also strengthens Uttar Pradesh’s ability to attract manufacturing, cargo movement, and international investment.”

UP CM Yogi Adityanath visiting the Jewar Airport

The interest of global airlines and cargo operators for a long time.

A growing network of expressways linking key cities such as Lucknow, Agra, Noida, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur has significantly reduced travel time and logistics costs.

Officials said this enhanced connectivity has played a critical role in reshaping investor perception.

Bird eye view of the Purwanchal Expressway, Uttar Pradesh

“Earlier, the state was seen mainly as a large consumer market. Today, investors are evaluating it as a production base with strong logistics support,” an industry department official said.

The improved investment climate has coincided with reforms in law enforcement and governance. Addressing a recent industry conclave, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said the transformation began after 2017, when restoring law and order became the government’s top priority.

Describing the shift in governance, he said the state had changed the perception of being a “BIMARU” state. “There is no political interference now. Investors are assured of safety, stability and speed in decision-making.”

Officials said rebuilding public trust was as crucial as curbing the crime. Recalling the period before 2017, CM said the state had witnessed frequent communal riots, curfews, and an atmosphere of fear, forcing many professionals and entrepreneurs to leave.

In a recent interview, the chief minister said, “If criminals fire bullets, the police cannot take them silently. They are trained to act decisively and within the framework of law.”

At recent global investor meets, Uttar Pradesh has attracted foreign investment commitments across a range of sectors.

Japanese firms have shown a keen interest and invested in electronics and component manufacturing clusters, while South Korean companies have set up facilities focused on manufacturing electric vehicle parts.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath meets with Deputy Governor of Yamanashi, Japan, Ko Osada, in Lucknow

Officials said companies from the United States have backed fintech and agritech startups, citing access to skilled talent and proximity to large agricultural markets.

European companies have expanded investments in renewable energy, with large solar parks coming up in regions such as Bundelkhand. “These projects are helping address regional imbalances while contributing to energy security,” an official associated with the sector said.

Officials said dedicated projects, including setting up a defence manufacturing corridor in six nodal cities, including Lucknow and Kanpur, a pharmaceutical cluster in Lalitpur, an IT hub in Noida, a medical device park near Jewar Airport, and a MedTech Centre being developed in Lucknow in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, would strengthen the state’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Map of Defence Manufacturing Corridor (Credit: upeida.up.gov.in)

Traditional industries are simultaneously undergoing modernisation. In Moradabad, brassware units have adopted advanced machinery to meet global quality standards, while in Varanasi, export-oriented collaborations between foreign firms and local artisans have expanded access to international markets.

Tourism-related investments in Ayodhya and other cultural centres are being planned with an emphasis on infrastructure development while preserving heritage.

“The objective is not to dilute cultural identity, but to enhance its economic potential,” an official involved in cultural and tourism planning said.

Shree Ramjanmbhumi Temple Ayodhya

Officials told the chief minister that the state drew USD 683 million in foreign investments during the April–September period of 2025–26, pushing total foreign direct investment since October 2019 to USD 2.754 billion. So far in the ongoing financial year, the state has attracted ₹5,963 crore, indicating a substantial jump compared to earlier years.

Officials also highlighted the growing participation of youth and local communities in the development process.

Graduates from polytechnic and technical institutes are increasingly finding employment in logistics, electronics, and manufacturing, while farmers are engaging in Agri-processing and contract farming initiatives with international partners.

Women-led self-help groups, supported by government programmes, are scaling up food processing and small manufacturing units. “This phase of growth is not limited to large corporations. It is creating opportunities at the grassroots level,” an official involved in skill development said.

The state has also invested in multimodal transport systems, including freight corridors, cargo rail services, and inland waterways along the Ganga, aimed at improving export efficiency.

Officials said environmental safeguards are being integrated into industrial corridor planning to balance growth with sustainability.

While challenges remain in areas such as skill upgradation and environmental management, officials said consistent execution has strengthened investor confidence.

“Incentives may attract initial interest, but what keeps investors engaged is timely delivery and predictable governance,” a senior official said.

Uttar Pradesh, long defined by its historical and cultural legacy, is increasingly positioning itself as a key contributor to India’s economic expansion.

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Officials said the current phase of development reflects not just capital inflows, but a broader shift in perception, one that sees the state as capable of aligning global ambition with local capability.