Indian Bureaucracy News, Lucknow, September 3, 2025| The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced the Way-Side Amenities Policy 2025 to improve tourism infrastructure and provide modern facilities for travelers. Launched in May, this policy aims to create structured rest areas along national and state highways. It seeks to improve convenience, safety, and sanitation while generating local jobs.
Uttar Pradesh has become one of India’s most visited states, attracting millions to its cultural, historical, and spiritual sites. In 2024, the state welcomed 64 to 68 lakh domestic tourists and 22 to 70 lakh international travelers. The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj drew over 66 crore visitors that year. Cities like Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, Vindhyachal, Chitrakoot, and Naimisharanya also experienced significant visitor increases. In 2024, Ayodhya alone received 16.44 crore domestic visitors and 26,000 international ones. Despite this, tourists and commuters struggle with the lack of organized resting areas, food services, parking, and medical support. This new policy aims to address those issues.
The framework offers various models based on land ownership and investment. For projects on government land, the Department of Tourism will cover 75 percent of the costs, while local bodies will fund the rest. Revenues will be split equally. On private land, investors can receive up to 75 percent support through a public-private partnership, and fully private projects can access incentives under the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022. If the land belongs to other government departments, the Department of Tourism will finance the entire project and outsource management to agencies.
A District-Level Committee led by the District Magistrate will handle land selection, feasibility studies, and monitoring. A Departmental Screening Committee, headed by the Director General of Tourism, will assess project proposals and their financial feasibility.
Quarterly inspections will ensure that quality standards are upheld.
Operators will have a two-year moratorium period—one year for construction and one year for initial operations. After this, they must share at least 5 percent of their revenue with the government each year, with increases in subsequent years.
Private agencies may operate services like food courts, EV charging stations, dormitories, and repair workshops through leases or rental agreements.
The policy strongly emphasises cleanliness and safety. All facilities must display helpline numbers, maintain first-aid kits, and meet hygiene standards set by FSSAI. Regular cleaning, pest control, and waste management will be required. Dormitories must also adhere to strict guidelines for bedding, sanitation, and usage.
With the Way-Side Amenities Policy 2025, Uttar Pradesh aims to create a modern, visitor-friendly environment along its highways, which will benefit both tourists and local communities. By combining government funding with private involvement, this policy is expected to transform travel infrastructure, improve convenience for pilgrims and tourists, and strengthen the state’s status as a major cultural and religious tourism destination in India.
For more details click here UP Tourism Way Side Policy 2025