In a significant move to bolster Uttar Pradesh's economic and technological landscape, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a high-level meeting with Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran on December 15. The discussions centered on accelerating the Tata Group's existing projects and charting an ambitious roadmap for new investments across critical future-facing sectors.
Blueprint for a Tech-Powered Future: AI City and Skill Development
The meeting yielded a landmark proposal: the development of an 'AI City' in the state capital, Lucknow. This initiative is strategically designed to position Uttar Pradesh as a global hub for artificial intelligence. The project is anticipated to significantly strengthen the startup ecosystem and create thousands of high-skilled employment opportunities in cutting-edge technologies.
Parallelly, the progress of a Rs 48-crore Centre of Excellence in Gorakhpur was reviewed. This centre is poised to offer advanced technical training, specifically empowering the youth of the Purvanchal region. In collaboration with IIT Kanpur, Tata Group initiatives will train young professionals in emerging domains like AI, cybersecurity, data science, 3D printing, drones, and space technology, creating an industry-ready workforce.
Further expanding the digital footprint, plans were discussed to establish a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in the state and to significantly expand Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) units in Lucknow, Noida, and Varanasi. A key highlight was the proposal to increase the workforce at TCS's Lucknow and Noida centres from 16,000 to 30,000 employees, providing a major boost to the state's digital talent pool.
Massive Investments Across Sectors: From EVs to Defence Corridor
The Tata Group expressed strong interest in expanding its investments in Uttar Pradesh's electronics manufacturing sector, focusing on mobile devices, electronic components, and other high-tech products. A potential collaboration with Intel was also discussed to further strengthen this ecosystem.
In the mobility sector, discussions covered the expansion of investments in electric buses, electric vehicles (EVs), and new vehicle models. Chandrasekaran informed the CM that Tata Motors is actively working on expanding EV manufacturing in the state and developing new EV models.
For the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, the group proposed increasing investments in drones, missiles, and defence vehicles across various nodes, including Jhansi. Details of project expansion under the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) were shared, with an assurance of full support aligned with the state's defence priorities.
Boosting Tourism, Energy, and Sustainable Development
The hospitality sector is set for a major upgrade with 30 hotels under Tata's Taj, SeleQtions, and Vivanta brands currently under construction, adding around 1,900 luxury rooms. An additional 30 hotels are planned by 2026, including a state-of-the-art signature property in Noida.
Progress on the proposed 'Museum of Temple' project in Ayodhya was reviewed, with an emphasis on completing the first phase by January 2027. The museum will feature technology-driven displays to attract tourists. The Tata Group also agreed to support the rejuvenation of eight major ponds in the Mathura-Vrindavan region and undertake cleanliness works at major Ganga ghats.
On the energy front, Tata Power's 1,900-megawatt thermal unit in Prayagraj's Bara plant is a key contributor to the state's power needs. The group is accelerating solar power projects, with 50-megawatt plants operational in Prayagraj and Banda, and solar rooftop projects being implemented across all 75 districts to support sustainability goals.
Chief Minister Adityanath reiterated the state government's commitment to providing a stable policy framework, transparent systems, and a business-friendly environment. He expressed confidence that this multi-dimensional partnership with the Tata Group would propel the state's economy, employment generation, and technological self-reliance to new heights, marking a significant milestone towards Uttar Pradesh's trillion-dollar economy goal.
