Shahjahanpur district in Uttar Pradesh has seen major positive changes in the last nine years under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership (since March 2017). Earlier known more for its history linked to freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil, the district is now growing in roads, hospitals, education, industries, and village facilities.The government has focused on basic needs, jobs, and planned growth.Better Roads and ConnectivityShahjahanpur, located on National Highway 24, has seen some of the biggest improvements in roads and transport. The Ganga Expressway, a major six-lane project, passes through Shahjahanpur for about 42-44 kilometres. It connects the district better to other parts of the state, from western UP to Prayagraj. This has made travel faster and safer for people and goods. An industrial corridor is also planned along this expressway to bring more factories and jobs. Many national highways and local roads have been widened or rebuilt. In the city, work is going on for 109 roads at a cost of around Rs 74.67 crore under smart city plans. Rural areas have received new link roads and interlocking paths. Villages that once had muddy streets now have proper roads. The district was upgraded from a municipality to a municipal corporation, which helped bring more funds for civic works. A Master Plan-2031 is in place for organised growth, and the Shahjahanpur Development Authority has been set up as the 29th such body in the state for planned building andexpansion.Stronger Healthcare FacilitiesHealthcare has improved a lot. The government set up the Pt. Ram Prasad Bismil Autonomous State Medical College in 2019. It takes 100 MBBS students every year and has a working 100-bed (or more) hospital attached to it. Local people no longer need to travel far to Bareilly or Lucknow for many treatments. Labs have been upgraded with modern equipment, and plans include a nursing college, critical care unit, and MRI machine. Thousands of families have received Ayushman Bharat golden cards for free treatment. Primary health centres and schemes for better services in rural areas have also helped. These steps mean quicker and closer medical care for ordinary people.Progress in EducationEducation is also moving forward as envisaged by yogi government. The old and respected Swami Shukdevanand College is being upgraded into a university. This will allow local students to study higher courses without leaving the district. More young people can now dream of better careers right at home. Skill training and coaching programmes have also helped youth prepare for jobs and competitive exams.Industrial Growth and New JobsIndustries are coming to Shahjahanpur. Large units like UltraTech Cement and sugar mills are providing employment to thousands of local youth. The government is developing an Industrial Manufacturing and Logistics Cluster (IMLC) of about 101 hectares and another industrial area near the Ganga Expressway covering around 105 hectares at a cost of about Rs 36 crore. These projects will attract more investment and create steady jobs in manufacturing and logistics. Single-window systems make it easier for investors to set up units. The overall economy of the district is growing, with better opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers.Revival of Traditional Crafts through ODOPThe One District One Product (ODOP) scheme has given new life to Shahjahanpur’s traditional Zari- Zardozi (embroidery work). This craft was almost dying. Now, with government support for training, loans, branding, and marketing, demand has increased. Products are going to markets in India and even to Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Artisans who earlier earned little now make Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 a month in many cases. The number of workers has grown many times, and family incomes have risen significantly. Shahjahanpur’s Zari-Zardozi forms part of the larger ODOP success story that has helped Uttar Pradesh nearly double its exports (from around Rs 86,000 crore in 2017-18 to over Rs 1.86–2 lakh crore in recent years), with ODOP and handicraft products contributing a substantial share (often cited near 50%). By creating local jobs, reducing migration and adding to the state’s export earnings, the scheme supports overall economic growth and helps smaller districts like Shahjahanpur play a bigger role in Uttar Pradesh’s rising contribution to national exports and GDP. This scheme helps keep the old skill alive while giving people self-employment and dignity.Rural Development and Farmer SupportVillages have changed. Places like RamapurBarkatpur have become model villages with interlocking roads, proper toilets (hundreds built), housing under government schemes, street lights, and clean surroundings. Pensions for widows, elderly, and differently-abled people reach beneficiaries regularly.Farmers have received big help. Loan waivers worth hundreds of crores, direct money under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi to over five lakh farmers, subsidies for farm machines and solar pumps, and crop insurance have reduced their problems. Under Jal Jeevan Mission, most rural homes now have tap water connections. These efforts make village life better and reduce the need for people to migrate for work.Urban Amenities and Good GovernanceThe city is getting modern facilities such as multi-level car parking, a planetarium, a hockey club, better drainage, and sewage systems. Projects worth hundreds of crores have been started or completed for cleanliness, traffic management, and public spaces. Law and order has improved with stronger action against criminals and better public grievance systems. Thousands of houses have been given to poor families.
