Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, addressing the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS) 2025 on Saturday, pinpointed the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya as the most defining achievement of his tenure. He also announced that the country's largest airport in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, is set to be inaugurated within the next two months.
Ram Temple: A 500-Year Wait Ends
In a conversation with Shashi Shekhar, editor-in-chief of Hindi Hindustan, Adityanath reflected on the transformative changes in India's largest state. When asked to name one iconic achievement, the Chief Minister stated it was challenging to choose just one, but emphasized the historic significance of the Ram Temple. "The construction of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple after 500 years was one iconic moment in my career," Adityanath said. He has served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh since 2017.
Looking ahead, Adityanath suggested that following the resolution in Ayodhya, focus would shift to other disputed religious sites. "We will reach everywhere. In fact, we have already," he remarked, alluding to the ongoing cases in Mathura and Kashi (Varanasi).
Future Focus: Mathura and Kashi
The CM's comments directly reference the disputes surrounding the Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura, adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, and the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, near the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Hindu petitioners claim both mosques were built upon temples destroyed in the 17th century. Archaeological surveys at the Gyanvapi site have indicated the presence of a pre-existing Hindu temple structure.
Transforming Uttar Pradesh's Identity
Adityanath detailed the shift in Uttar Pradesh's narrative under his administration. He claimed the state has moved away from a notorious reputation. "UP is no longer 'one district, one mafia,' but has changed to 'one district, one product' and 'one district, one medical college,'" he asserted at the summit, which carried the theme "Transforming Tomorrow."
He expressed pride in his party's trust in him to lead the populous state for over eight years and his role in its changing dynamics. Infrastructure development, particularly in aviation, is a key part of this transformation. Besides the imminent Jewar airport, the CM noted that several new airports are coming up across the state, boosting connectivity and economic prospects.
Jewar Airport: A Game-Changer for Infrastructure
The announcement regarding the Jewar airport marks a significant milestone. "We will see the country's biggest airport in Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar being inaugurated in the next two months," Adityanath confirmed. This project is poised to become a major international aviation hub for the National Capital Region and western Uttar Pradesh, signaling a leap in the state's infrastructure capabilities.
The Chief Minister's address at HTLS 2025 wove together themes of cultural reaffirmation, law and order, and ambitious economic development, painting a picture of a state actively reshaping its future on multiple fronts.
