8 years of service, security and good governance

LUCKNOW: In 2017, when Yogi Adityanath’s government was formed in Uttar Pradesh, everyone was surprised, wondering how a monk from a monastery could manage a vast state like Uttar Pradesh, especially since Yogi Ji had no prior experience in governance or administration. Even after he became the Chief Minister, speculation continued for a long time, questioning how long he would be able to handle power. But today, as the BJP government has successfully completed 8 years under his leadership, looking back reveals that under Yogi Ji’s leadership, the government has written a new story of progress in the state.
Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was known as a backward state where each district was ruled by mafia gangs. Law and order were in a poor state, and no major corporate group or businessman was willing to invest capital in the state. However, from 2017 to March 2025, a lot has changed in the state. Today, under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, Uttar Pradesh has become the growth engine of the country’s economy. This transformation is not just about policies; it is the result of strong willpower, transparent policies, and solid implementation.
Talking about law and order, until 2017, the state was struggling with issues of poor law and order, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of investment. But now, under the double-engine government, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the fastest-growing economy in the country.
Today, UP is setting new records in various important areas like electricity, roads, health, infrastructure, investment, and security. The state has now become a major hub for investment and logistics.
Since Yogi Adityanath took charge of the state, he has made his mark on every front. He is a hardworking and visionary leader, and the most significant thing is that he accomplishes whatever he sets his mind to. Under his leadership, Uttar Pradesh has become not just a land of possibilities but a land of opportunities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said about Yogi Adityanath and the state: “Today, the people of Uttar Pradesh, under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath Ji, have completely transformed the picture of the state. Under Yogi Ji’s leadership, law and order have improved, and connectivity is rapidly advancing. More work is happening today for modern transportation in UP than in the seven decades after independence. The way UP is modernizing under the double-engine government is truly unprecedented.”
To enforce strong law and order, a zero-tolerance policy has been adopted against crime and criminals. The Police Commissionerate system has been implemented in Lucknow, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Kanpur Nagar, Varanasi, Agra, Ghaziabad, and Prayagraj. A Special Security Force has been established in UP. In action against notorious criminals, 222 criminals have been killed in encounters so far, and 8,118 have been injured. Police have arrested and imprisoned 28,085 criminals with bounties on their heads.
Compared to 2017, UP-112’s response time has improved remarkably, dropping from 25 minutes to just 7 minutes and 24 seconds by 2024. Most importantly, the Yogi Adityanath government passed the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Bill. It has provisions for life imprisonment as the maximum punishment for those found guilty of deceiving someone into marriage and illegally converting their religion.
Special attention has been given to women’s safety, and Anti-Romeo Squads have been established in every district. In crimes against women and minors, 27,425 cases have been prosecuted, including 11,254 cases under the POCSO Act and 3,775 cases of dowry-related deaths. The Uttar Pradesh State Forensic Science Institute has been established. Various steps have been taken to improve law and order, which has built people’s trust in the legal system.
Apart from improving law and order, the Yogi government has done excellent work in connectivity. With the Purvanchal Expressway and Bundelkhand Expressway operational and the Ganga Expressway nearing completion, the Gorakhpur Link Expressway will soon be opened to the public. After the completion of the Ganga Expressway, Uttar Pradesh will have 55% of the expressways in the country.
Additionally, work is about to begin on new expressways, including the Vindhya Expressway, Purvanchal Link Expressway, and an expressway connecting Bundelkhand Expressway from Chitrakoot to Prayagraj via Rewa. Another expressway will connect the Ganga Expressway from Meerut to Haridwar.
Over the past 8 years, the expansion of infrastructure has ensured seamless connectivity through air, water, road, and rail networks, promoting easy logistics for industries to reach domestic and international markets.
When law and order improved, investments started pouring in on a large scale. Uttar Pradesh has now become a dream destination for business and investment. Over the past 8 years, investment proposals worth approximately ₹45 lakh crores have been received, of which proposals worth ₹15 lakh crores have been implemented on the ground. This has been made possible by a robust law and order system, ease of doing business, investment-friendly policies, a single-window system, and an accountable and transparent framework.
We can see that Yogi Adityanath has set a remarkable example of visionary leadership that will serve as an inspiration for any future leader. Yogi has been completely successful in implementing Prime Minister Modi’s vision on the ground.
This does not mean that he hasn’t faced challenges over the past 8 years. Apart from the opposition, he has faced tough challenges from within his own party and organization. Speculation about him has continued constantly from his adversaries, and there have been repeated attempts to break his morale. But, like a seasoned warrior, he has faced every difficulty with determination.
Today, Yogi Adityanath is counted among the top leaders in the country. The “Brand Yogi” has consistently grown stronger, which is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Over the past 8 years, he has proven himself capable of tackling and resolving the most difficult challenges.
However, it is essential to note that he still has a long way to go in politics, and for that, he needs a strong and trustworthy team. His information system should be robust, and he should surround himself with trustworthy individuals and high-level professionals so that he can face any future challenge and carve a new path in Indian politics.