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Minister flags slow progress in Deloitte-backed action plan
Tourist data, investment and implementation put under sharper scrutiny
Pooja Srivastava | Anytime News Network
Uttar Pradesh’s ambition to build a one-trillion-dollar economy has put the tourism sector under renewed scrutiny, with a review meeting highlighting concerns over the pace of implementation of the action plan prepared by Deloitte. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh expressed dissatisfaction with the progress made over nearly two years and directed that the proposed plans should now produce visible results on the ground.
From plans to execution
At the review meeting held at the Tourism Bhawan in Gomti Nagar, Singh stressed that preparing an action plan alone would not be sufficient. He directed officials and Deloitte representatives to accelerate implementation and ensure that proposed interventions translate into measurable outcomes.
Tourist numbers under scrutiny
The minister called for night-vision cameras at Naimisharanya and surrounding pilgrimage destinations, as well as at Vindhyachal Dham and Chitrakoot. The stated objective is to obtain more factual data on tourist arrivals. Efforts have been directed toward installing the cameras by November 15 and making them operational by December.
The department was also asked to compile factual data covering 60 districts across 14 tourism circuits, including changes in tourist arrivals. Data on restaurants and roadside eateries is also to be collected.
Investment projections
The meeting was informed that maps for around 1,000 hotels had been approved during the past three years. Investment proposals mentioned included ₹500 crore by Mahindra Holidays in Varanasi and Ayodhya, ₹400 crore by Imagica World Entertainment in Greater Noida, ₹295 crore by Tuxal Theatre in Varanasi and ₹200 crore by Rajdeep Infra & Sales in Lucknow. ITC Hotels was reported to have proposed an investment of ₹350-400 crore in Lucknow.
Tourism as growth engine
Deloitte representatives said tourist arrivals and GST revenue indicators were positive and reported that 58 crore tourists had visited Uttar Pradesh up to June 2026. Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura and Chitrakoot were identified as major destinations.
However, the review meeting placed particular emphasis on ensuring that tourist figures remain factual and that implementation moves faster. Chief Minister’s Adviser Avanish Awasthi also directed Deloitte to accelerate execution and offered suggestions concerning Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Vindhyachal Dham and Naimisharanya.
Officials said infrastructure expansion, private investment, service quality and a proposed new tourism policy would be key components of the strategy for linking tourism more closely with the state’s trillion-dollar economic target.
