India Among Fastest-Growing Economies Despite Global Challenges
Lucknow— Rajnath Singh said on Saturday that India continues to rank among the world’s fastest-growing major economies despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, underscoring the country’s resilience and long-term growth trajectory.
Speaking at an event in Lucknow, Singh emphasized that the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047—a developed India by the centenary of independence—can only be realized through collective effort and inclusive growth.
“Viksit Bharat means a society where citizens respect their responsibilities toward one another and ensure that no one is left behind in the development journey,” he said.
Highlighting regional development, Singh noted that Lucknow is emerging as a key contributor to India’s defence sector. The city has been designated a defence manufacturing node alongside Agra and Kanpur, with production of the BrahMos missile already underway.
“The first batch has been delivered to the armed forces, and several small and large defence manufacturing units are being established here,” Singh said, calling it a matter of pride for the region.
Addressing a separate gathering at the Jan Kalyan Maha Samiti event in Gomti Nagar, Singh pointed to what he described as Uttar Pradesh’s transformation from a “BIMARU” (economically lagging) state to an “Uttam Pradesh,” citing improvements in law and order and economic development.
He also highlighted cultural initiatives, including the upcoming Lucknow Culture and Art Museum at the Hussainabad Clock Tower, which he said would preserve the heritage of the Awadh region while boosting tourism and local employment for artisans and small businesses.
On infrastructure, Singh announced plans for the construction of National Highway 927, a 101-kilometer four-lane corridor connecting Barabanki to Bahraich. The project, estimated at around ₹7,000 crore, is expected to cut travel time between the two locations by half—from 2.5 hours to approximately 1.25 hours—and support the development of a broader state capital region corridor.
Singh said the combined push in infrastructure, defence manufacturing, and cultural development reflects the government’s broader strategy to drive economic growth while strengthening regional and national capabilities. (Source: IANS)
