*Emphasis on Timely Completion Ahead of Festive Season; Focus on Pilgrim Experience and Heritage Promotion
*Naval Gallantry Museum in Lucknow to be Completed at the Earliest
TTT NEWS NETWORK
LUCKNOW | 17 JULY 2025
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 in Lucknow, 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.
A particular focus of the meeting was the ancient and religiously significant pilgrimage site of Naimisharanya in Sitapur, a flagship project supported by the Prime Minister and Chief Minister. Expressing dissatisfaction with the slow progress of sanctioned works, the minister directed that all bottlenecks be immediately resolved and the projects move forward on a war footing. 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 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.
He also reviewed plans for upcoming inaugurations and foundation-laying ceremonies, along with the maintenance status of completed projects. Specific attention was given to projects that have been delayed by one year and six months to one year and nine months, with the minister demanding accountability from agencies operating behind schedule.
Principal Secretary for Tourism and Culture, Mukesh Meshram, issued strict instructions to all implementing agencies to accelerate execution in line with the Minister’s expectations.
Also present during the review were Special Secretary Tourism Isha Priya, Special Secretary Culture Sanjay Kumar Singh, project managers of various implementing agencies, Tourism Advisor J.P. Singh, and other senior officials.
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