Uttar Pradesh’s economic transformation under CM Adityanath: From laggard to frontrunner
Lucknow, April 1 – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed confidence that the state will become India’s largest economy by 2030, with a per capita income matching the national average.In a detailed interview, Adityanath highlighted the state’s economic progress during his eight-year tenure and sharply criticized previous administrations for decades of neglect.
From seventh to second: UP’s economic leap
“When India gained independence, UP’s per capita income was equal to the national average. But by 2016-17, it had dropped to one-third of it,” said Adityanath. “We have since doubled it from those levels.”He stated that under his leadership, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the second-largest state economy, with its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) surpassing ₹27.5 lakh crore — a significant rise from ₹12–12.5 lakh crore recorded before 2017.
Target 2030: Roadmap to top spot
Adityanath outlined a clear goal: to position UP as the number one economy in India by 2029-30.“We’ve set a timeline. With the current pace of development across multiple sectors, I am confident we will achieve this target,” he said.
Addressing inherited challenges
He pointed out that while Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state, many of its challenges were “artificial” — stemming from years of misgovernance.“Despite being rich in natural resources, the state was left behind in every sector — from infrastructure to employment and welfare,” he said. “In 2016, UP’s very identity was in jeopardy.”
Modi-era reforms and state synergy
According to Adityanath, the turning point came in 2014 with the formation of the Narendra Modi-led central government, which introduced a new wave of hope. However, the lack of effective implementation at the state level delayed progress until 2017.“In 2017, people responded to PM Modi’s call and elected a full-majority BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. The results are now visible to everyone,” he said.
Economic revival in eight years
Comparing the last eight years to the preceding seven decades, Adityanath emphasized the accelerated pace of development.“In 70 years, UP’s economy was stagnant around ₹12–12.5 lakh crore. In just eight years, we’ve taken it to over ₹27.5 lakh crore, making it the second-largest in India,” he said.
The chief minister’s remarks signal strong ambitions for Uttar Pradesh’s continued growth trajectory, as the state positions itself to lead India’s economic future.
