Yogi hands over Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘dream project’ to private firms for 30 years

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod to hand over the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) in Lucknow to private firms, prompting criticism from the Opposition Samajwadi Party.

The proposal of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) was approved at a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Speaking to mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting, state Finance Minister Suresh Khanna said Brindavan Bottlers Pvt Ltd and Rockwood Hotels and Resorts Pvt Ltd have been given a 30-year lease to complete and operate the JPNIC, which will house a museum, as well as cultural, sports, recreational and multi-level parking facilities.

“The first-time lease is for 30 years, and it can be renewed for 25 years,” Khanna added.

According to Khanna, the LDA had received bids from three companies, with the highest bid by Brindavan Bottlers Pvt Ltd and Rockwood Hotels and Resorts Pvt Ltd.

While the private company will run the Centre and pay the LDA, the LDA in turn will have return Rs 857.69 crore to the UP government in 30 years, since the government so far has spent Rs 818 crore on the construction of the project.

Soon after the decision became public, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed the BJP government for handing over the centre to the private firms.

In a post on X, the former chief minister wrote, “…Is the BJP government a government or a shopkeeper? Now, the BJP government of UP has taken a decision in the Cabinet to hand over Lucknow's JPNIC (Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre) to private hands. Now, all that's left is for the government to be given on contract or sold off.”

Setting up the centre was a dream project of Akhilesh Yadav when he was the chief minister from 2012 to 2017. However, the project could not be completed in his tenure, and the cost increased manifold. The JPNIC has been at the centre of a row between the BJP government and the SP. Three years ago, Akhilesh, along with party workers, tried to enter the centre, which is located in the prime Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow, leading to a scuffle with police.

The Cabinet’s decision comes a year after the state government approved the transfer of the JPNIC project to the LDA after dissolving the JPNIC Society set up by the previous Samajwadi Party government for administration and management of the centre.

The government had then released Rs 821.74 crore for the project that was to be treated as a loan transferred to the LDA, which it would have to repay in over 30 years.

In Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, it was shared that Rs 818 crore out of Rs 821.74 crore was spent on the project so far, and the LDA will have to pay Rs 857.69 crore to the government in 30 years, Khanna said.

Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution. Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape. Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More