Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh’s tourism department reviewed museum development, visitor amenities and the operation of tourism properties, while 251 of the 511 project estimates under the 2026-27 tourism action plan remained pending.At a review meeting on Wednesday, tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh directed officials and executing agencies to submit the remaining estimates by Oct 31. The programme included 22 projects under the UP Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad. “Heritage inscriptions must be installed at every completed project site so that visitors can understand the historical legacy, religious significance and local traditions of each destination,” Singh said.Officials said QR codes were also being developed for tourism site plaques, linking visitors to content approved by district authorities. The review covered museum projects in Jhansi, Firozabad, Varanasi, Deoria, Bijnor and Sultanpur. The memorial and museum at hockey legend KD Singh Babu’s ancestral home in Barabanki was targeted for completion in Dec 2026.The Rs 14.99-crore development of Lucknow’s folk art museum included additional galleries, a children’s activity zone, workshop spaces, landscaping and folk installations to enhance visitor engagement.Officials informed the meeting that 616 tourism projects had been handed over by executing agencies. At Kapilvastu in Siddharthnagar, an agreement was executed on Oct 27 for the operation of cottages, a dormitory and tourism information facilities. An operating agreement had also been executed for the Maharaja Suheldev memorial in Bahraich.The meeting also reviewed proposed Parampara centres in Lucknow, Sitapur, Bareilly, Chitrakoot, Prayagraj and Varanasi. Preparations for Ayodhya’s Deepotsav and Varanasi’s Dev Deepawali were reviewed, including Ramlila presentations and folk performances.
