Yogi Govt to Revive 11 Heritage Sites to Boost Tourism and Jobs
Talbehat fort, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh! (Image UP Info Dept)
Forts in Bundelkhand, Lucknow, Gonda, and Kanpur among key structures set for transformation
By AMIT KUMAR
Lucknow, July 13, 2025 — In a major push to preserve cultural heritage while driving tourism and employment, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has announced a comprehensive plan to revive 11 historical forts and monuments across the state under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The initiative, spearheaded by the state’s Tourism Department, aims to turn crumbling heritage structures into vibrant tourist attractions, including heritage hotels, museums, and cultural centers. Private partners will be brought on board to design, develop, operate, and eventually hand over the revitalized sites, ensuring professional upkeep and modern visitor facilities while preserving historical authenticity.
Among the heritage sites identified for restoration are:
- Talbehat Fort (Lalitpur)
- Rangarh and Bhuragarh Fort (Banda)
- Mastani Mahal and Senapati Mahal (Mahoba)
- Tahrauli Fort (Jhansi)
- Sitaram Mahal/Kotwan Fort (Mathura)
- Wazirganj Baradari (Gonda)
- Tikait Rai Baradari (Kanpur)
- Alambagh Bhawan, Gulistan-e-Eram, and Darshan Vilas (Lucknow)
“These monuments are not just stone and mortar. They are bearers of our rich past, each with unique architecture and historical tales,” a senior Tourism Department official said. He added that “reviving them will not only preserve our heritage but also create jobs, boost local economies, and enhance Uttar Pradesh’s stature as a prime tourism destination.”
This revival effort is seen as particularly transformative for Bundelkhand, a region with immense untapped tourism potential. The restored sites will attract heritage tourism, stimulate allied sectors such as hospitality and handicrafts, and open up direct and indirect employment avenues for local communities.
“The move is in line with the Yogi government’s broader vision to blend cultural conservation with economic development. Over the past few years, the state has made significant strides in eco-tourism and religious tourism, with landmark transformations in Ayodhya, Varanasi (Kashi), and Mathura drawing global attention,” said a senior official of the state government.
In 2024 alone, the state welcomed 65 crore tourists, a testament to the growing appeal of Uttar Pradesh as a spiritual and cultural destination, added the official.
The official stressed that “by adopting the PPP model, the government seeks to ensure long-term sustainability of these heritage sites with professional management, while also encouraging private investment in tourism infrastructure.”
Officials noted that the restoration projects will be guided by strict heritage conservation norms and executed in phases. The tendering process for private participation is expected to begin soon.
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