We have top-notch training, designing, and packaging facilities,” Why should we lag behind Bangladesh in ready made garments- Aditya Nath

With a population of 250 million, Uttar Pradesh stands as India’s largest consumer market.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, addressing an investors’ meeting in Lucknow on Saturday, highlighted the development of a mega textile and Apparel Park spanning 1,000 acres along the Lucknow-Hardoi border. He emphasized that just as Surat in Gujarat has evolved into a thriving textile hub, a similar transformation is now being pursued nationally through the establishment of seven PM MITRA Parks, one of which is being set up in Lucknow.

Drawing comparisons with Bangladesh, which has a population of 160 million but excels in the ready-made garment sector, the Chief Minister underscored India’s potential. “With top-notch facilities for training, designing, and packaging, we must not lag,” he stated.

The upcoming textile park is part of the central government’s ‘PM MITRA Scheme’ and is expected to generate over 50,000 jobs. On this occasion, CM Adityanath distributed incentives worth ₹210 crore to 80 investors under the Uttar Pradesh Textile and Apparel Policy, 2017. Additionally, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) amounting to ₹700 crore were signed for the PM MITRA Park.

The Chief Minister reiterated that Lucknow is the only state capital hosting a PM MITRA Park. He assured investors that the park will provide a comprehensive ecosystem, including weaving, dyeing, printing, designing, and packaging facilities, thereby catering to market demand and unlocking new opportunities for the textile sector.

In total, over ₹3,800 crore in investment proposals have been secured under 83 MoUs, while more than 1,000 MoUs have been signed across various sectors. Out of these, 225 projects, worth over ₹6,000 crore, are set to break ground soon, creating employment opportunities for over 50,000 people.

Highlighting the state’s rich textile heritage, CM Adityanath mentioned that Kashi, Bhadohi, and Mirzapur are known for silk and carpets, while Varanasi’s sarees remain an integral part of Indian celebrations. Likewise, Ayodhya and Ambedkar Nagar are famous for handloom work, while Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Azamgarh, Mubarakpur, and Mau have a deep-rooted textile legacy. Lucknow’s famed chikankari embroidery has flourished for centuries.

He credited the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme for revitalizing these traditional industries by ensuring a steady flow of orders. Furthermore, the state government plans to develop 10 new textile parks named after Sant Kabir Das and two leather parks honoring Sant Ravidas to complement the PM MITRA Park and boost both industries.

The Chief Minister outlined the park’s development in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 5F model—Farm to Fiber, Fiber to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign—creating a seamless supply chain from raw materials to global markets.

Uttar Pradesh’s excellent connectivity serves as a key attraction for investors. A dedicated freight corridor and the upcoming Greenfield Expressway between Lucknow and Kanpur are set to enhance logistics and transportation.

Currently, Uttar Pradesh is India’s second-largest economy, contributing 13% to the country’s textile production and employing over two million people. The state government has set an ambitious goal of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2029.

The region is home to premier textile institutions like NIFT in Raebareli, the Textile Technology Institute in Kanpur, and the Indian Institute of Apparel Technology in Varanasi, strengthening the industry’s talent pool. Several leading textile companies, including Arvind Mills, TT Group, Ganesha Ecosphere, Bharat Overseas, and NINE, are already operating in the state.

CM Yogi Adityanath reassured investors that Uttar Pradesh offers a highly conducive investment environment. “Over the past eight years, we have introduced 35 sectoral policies, ensuring a robust land bank, superior connectivity, and strong legal safeguards for investors,” he said.