We filled the potholes left by previous govts, now is the time to take UP forward at the speed of a Bullet Train: CM Yogi

New Delhi, May 11- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday presented a detailed picture of Uttar Pradesh’s economic and industrial transformation at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit-2026 held in New Delhi. He said, “So far, we have strengthened the foundation and filled the potholes created by the sins of previous governments. Now it is time for the double-engine government to move ahead at the speed of a bullet train.”

He stated, the economic progress of any nation depends on its manufacturing strength. If industry and entrepreneurship are strong, employment, investment and prosperity will naturally grow. Economic interests have also been the primary cause behind most global conflicts and wars. Therefore, no country can afford to ignore its entrepreneurs.

CM Yogi said, the day held special significance as it marked the 75th anniversary of the re-consecration of the first Jyotirlinga, Somnath Mahadev, by India’s first President Dr Rajendra Prasad. He also recalled that on the same day, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had demonstrated ‘Operation Shakti’ through the Pokhran nuclear tests.

He stated, “India’s strength is not only a symbol of its capability but also paves the way for global humanity and welfare. Only those who possess strength and capability can pave the path of compassion and friendship. Merely stretching our hands and pleading will not make the world take us seriously. No one will listen to us or trust us.”

Chief Minister said, there was a time when Uttar Pradesh was struggling with a crisis of identity. People would distance themselves on hearing the name of the state. The law-and-order situation was so poor that more than 300 riots took place every year. ‘Goonda tax’ was extorted and entrepreneurs were forced to migrate.

He remarked, “Uttar Pradesh had ‘Uttar’ in its name, but the state itself was surrounded by several question marks. The state had become synonymous with riots, mafia rule, extortion and migration. Before 2017, travellers used to realise after sunset that they had entered Uttar Pradesh when they saw potholes on the roads.”

Chief Minister recalled that when he became an MP for the first time and met the then Union Minister to revive the closed fertiliser factory in Gorakhpur, he was asked, ‘You have won elections from UP, how many murders took place there?’ He said that was the image of Uttar Pradesh during that period.

CM Yogi said, “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi entrusted him with the responsibility of Uttar Pradesh in 2017, he had no prior administrative experience. I used to run a Math, but the experience of managing a Math has greatly helped me in running the state. Every Math functions with discipline. Programmes are conducted in a time-bound manner, finances are managed with discipline and security systems are strictly enforced. I applied the same experience in state administration.”

He added that the first priority was to establish an atmosphere of security. Special emphasis was placed on implementing the rule of law, ending policy paralysis and formulating sectoral policies.

Referring to Prayagraj, the Chief Minister said, there was a time when a mafia don had the audacity to stop the convoy of the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. But today, no mafia can dare to do such a thing in Uttar Pradesh.

He stated, “Daughters are now going to schools in a secure environment and families that had migrated from western Uttar Pradesh are returning. Mentioning Kairana, he recalled that in 2015, a businessman was murdered in broad daylight, forcing the entire family to leave the state. After strict action against criminals, the same family returned.”

He added that the first condition for the development of any state is a secure environment and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure security for every citizen.

Chief Minister said, “Along with improving security, the government introduced major reforms in agriculture and industry. Special focus was laid on preventing farmers’ suicides, connecting agriculture with technology and strengthening the MSME sector. The government prepared land banks to attract large investments and formulated clear industrial policies.”

He also said, the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme launched in 2018 is now giving global recognition to local products of the state. Through ODOP, design, packaging, technology and branding have been promoted.

More than 96 lakh MSME units have become the backbone of employment and production in the state. The MSME sector is providing employment to nearly 3 crore youth. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to provide industries with security, connectivity and a strong supply chain.

CM Yogi said, “Uttar Pradesh received 1.56 billion tourists last year, including 66-67 crore devotees who attended the Mahakumbh. Efforts are being made to provide world-class recognition to the state’s cultural and religious heritage, including Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Vindhyachal, Naimisharanya, the Buddhist and Jain circuits.”

He added that Uttar Pradesh has now emerged from the image of a BIMARU state and is becoming the growth engine of the Indian economy.

Among those present on the occasion were CII President Rajiv Memani, Director General Chandrajit Banerjee, 15th Finance Commission Chairman NK Singh, Managing Director and CEO of Samtel Avionics Puneet Kaura, Anand Group Chairperson Anjali Singh, Hero Enterprises Chairman Sunil Kant Munjal, Triveni Turbine Limited Managing Director Nikhil Sawhney, Jubilant Bhartia Group Co-founder and Managing Director HS Bhartia, JK Tyre & Industries Chairman and Managing Director Dr Raghupati Singhania, Subros Ltd CMD Shradha Suri Marwah, IGL CMD Umashankar Bhartia, and several other entrepreneurs associated with CI