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Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as one of the biggest engines of India's economic growth. With robust infrastructure, improved law and order, an investor-friendly ecosystem, a thriving MSME sector, skill development initiatives and digital transformation, the state has positioned itself strongly on the path to becoming a $1 trillion economy. This was the key message delivered during the special session, "Mission Trillion Dollar UP: Building the Growth Engine of New India," held at the Entrepreneur Game Changer Awards 2026 - Uttar Pradesh.
The event, hosted at Hotel Renaissance, Lucknow, was attended by Brajesh Pathak, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Chief Guest, Sachin Marya, Editorial Director, Entrepreneur India & APAC, Sanjeev Jha, Editor, Entrepreneur India, Surya Pratap Shahi, D.P. Singh, along with industry leaders, startup founders, investors and representatives from various sectors.
Uttar Pradesh Emerging as a New Investment and Entrepreneurship Hub
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said Uttar Pradesh is no longer just India's most populous state but has also evolved into the country's largest consumer market and one of its most attractive investment destinations. He noted that global investors and industrialists are increasingly looking at Uttar Pradesh because of its strong infrastructure and business-friendly environment.
He added that every successful industrial ecosystem requires a large market, world-class infrastructure and stable law and order, and Uttar Pradesh has made remarkable progress on all three fronts.
Expressways, Railways and Airports Transforming the State
Brajesh Pathak said Uttar Pradesh now has the highest number of expressways in the country. All 75 districts have been connected through improved road infrastructure, railway stations have been modernized and high-speed trains such as Vande Bharat are providing faster connectivity across major cities of the state.
Highlighting aviation infrastructure, he said that before 2017, only two or three airports in the state were operational, whereas today 17 airports are functioning, with the number expected to increase to 21 in the near future. He also described the Jewar International Airport as Asia's largest airport and said it would be complemented by India's first state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, positioning India as a global aviation hub.
Major Progress in Energy and Healthcare
Brajesh Pathak stated that before 2017, Uttar Pradesh could meet a peak electricity demand of only 15,000–16,000 MW, whereas today the state has achieved a record of meeting over 32,000 MW of peak demand. Reliable power supply is now being ensured across all districts.
He also highlighted significant progress in healthcare, noting that the number of medical colleges has increased from 40 in 2017 to 83 today with additional medical colleges under development to further strengthen healthcare services and medical education across the state.
Religious Tourism Driving Economic Growth
He said the development of religious destinations such as Kashi Vishwanath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Vrindavan and Vindhyachal has transformed Uttar Pradesh into one of India's leading religious tourism destinations. The rapid growth in tourism has generated new opportunities for employment, trade and the services sector.
Improved Law and Order Boosting Investor Confidence
Speaking at the event, Brajesh Pathak said that before 2017, organized crime, mafia activities and illegal land encroachments posed major challenges for investment in the state. However, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed significant improvements in law and order, making it a safer and more reliable destination for investors.
Uttar Pradesh Moving Rapidly Towards a $1 Trillion Economy
Pathak said Uttar Pradesh has a crucial role to play in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a $5 trillion Indian economy. He added that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set an ambitious target of making Uttar Pradesh a $1 trillion economy by 2030. The state's economy currently stands at approximately $350-400 billion and continues to expand steadily.
He further noted that the state's budget has nearly tripled since 2017, crossing ₹8 lakh crore, while per capita income has also registered significant growth.
MSMEs and ODOP Transforming the Local Economy
Brajesh Pathak emphasized that the MSME sector, agriculture and skill development have played a pivotal role in Uttar Pradesh's economic transformation. He described the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative as one of the state's most successful models, helping products such as Amroha's dholak, Pilibhit's bamboo flutes, Aligarh's locks, Moradabad's brassware, Bhadohi's carpets, Banarasi sarees and Lucknow's chikankari gain national and international recognition. He added that the government is now promoting One District One Cuisine (ODOC) to give regional cuisines a global identity.
From GST Collection to Film Shoots, UP's Presence is Growing Across Sectors
Pathak said Uttar Pradesh has become the second-highest GST-collecting state in the country and is steadily moving towards the top position. He added that the state's footprint is expanding across sectors including film production, startups, tourism, manufacturing and services.
He also said Uttar Pradesh offers affordable land, modern infrastructure, a skilled workforce and investor-friendly policies, making it one of India's most attractive investment destinations.
Uttar Pradesh to Play a Defining Role in Viksit Bharat 2047
Concluding his address, Brajesh Pathak said Uttar Pradesh would play a decisive role in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He emphasized that the state government is actively promoting innovation, investment and job creation by working closely with entrepreneurs, startups, industries and young talent.
He expressed confidence that Mission Trillion Dollar UP is not merely an economic target for the state but a significant milestone in positioning Uttar Pradesh as the growth engine of New India.
