UP Tech Next: Jewar airport is going to be one of the largest airports of Asia, says UP CM advisor

Awanish Kumar Awasthi, advisor to UP chief minister

Highlighting the strategic role of infrastructure, Awanish Kumar Awasthi said “Jewar airport is going to be one of the largest airports of Asia.” He noted that the airport, combined with industrial corridors in Greater Noida, the Yamuna Expressway and the upcoming New Noida, will anchor a strong manufacturing base for both semiconductors and electronics.

Uttar Pradesh is preparing for a major push into high-technology manufacturing, with the HCL–Foxconn semiconductor project expected to begin on-ground construction in the next two to three months, according to Awasthi, advisor to the state chief minister.

Speaking at Moneycontrol’s UP Tech Next event on December 2, he said all state-level approvals and land allotments have been completed, marking a significant step in the state’s semiconductor and electronics strategy.

“The HCL-Foxconn project has been approved by the UP cabinet. Very soon, we will see the work start on the ground,” he said. Awasthi added that the final agreement between the Centre and the company is expected shortly. “Land has already been awarded. The state government has already given its clearance,” he added, stressing that UP’s semiconductor policy offers deeper incentives than the central framework to attract anchor investors.

New land policy for big-ticket investors

Awasthi said the state is finalising a new land policy that will offer land upfront to large corporates at no initial cost, with payments staggered over project phases.

“This will remove upfront hurdles and accelerate industrial activity,” he said, arguing that early-stage cost pressures often slow investor commitments.

Hiranandani projects add heft

Alongside the HCL–Foxconn venture, Awasthi confirmed that the Hiranandani Group has secured state approval for two major projects, a semiconductor manufacturing unit near Jewar airport and a large-scale data centre park in Greater Noida.

“These projects, along with HCL–Foxconn, will provide a strong electronics and technology ecosystem,” he said, adding that more large-scale investments are expected across the NCR and potentially in the Lucknow region.

UP plans an ‘AI City’ in Lucknow

Beyond NCR’s industrial belt, the state is designing an AI City in Lucknow, to be built through a public–private partnership.

Awasthi said UP will aggressively push new policies for global capability centres and data centres to broaden the base of technology-led investments and ensure more balanced regional growth.

UP’s role in India’s $30 trillion vision

Situating the initiatives within the long-term national growth plan, Awasthi said: “Viksit Bharat in money value means we have to be a developed country… So the target is $30 trillion for the economy in 2047. UP, being about one-fifth of India in population and having the most youthful demographic, should contribute one-fifth of that – $6 trillion.”

The chief minister has already set a target to take UP to a $1 trillion economy, he noted, underscoring that this requires sustained acceleration across sectors.

“Even with our nominal growth currently over 15 percent, to reach $1 trillion we need to sustain a nominal growth rate of at least 20 percent,” Awasthi said.

Tourism and manufacturing emerge as twin drivers

“With Kumbh, Kashi, and Ayodhya, tourism has performed extremely well. We are expecting about 100 crore tourists this year,” he said.

But he cautioned that manufacturing and IT need sharper expansion if UP is to meet its $1 trillion ambition.

Income rising, gap narrowing

UP’s GSDP currently stands at $340–350 billion (Rs 29.6 lakh crore) and is projected to reach Rs 36 lakh crore by March 2026, crossing the $400 billion mark.

Per capita income has nearly doubled, from Rs 45,000–50,000 in 2017 to Rs 1.2 lakh in 2025.

“We have reversed a decades-long decline relative to the national average – from 50 percent in 2017, now up to 53 percent,” Awasthi said.