CM Yogi Highlights Ramgarhtal's Transformation Into Tourism Hub
Synopsis
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office has highlighted the revival of Gorakhpur's Ramgarhtal lake, once neglected and unsanitary, now a tourism hub sustaining thousands of livelihoods — part of UP's broader urban waterfront development drive under Smart City and AMRUT missions.
Key Takeaways
Ramgarhtal in Gorakhpur has been transformed from a desolate, mosquito-infested lake into a functional tourism and recreational centre.
CM Yogi Adityanath credited the state government's intent and execution for the turnaround, calling it a demonstration of 'doing good.' The redevelopment has generated livelihoods for thousands of local residents, according to the Chief Minister's Office .
The project was carried out under the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT scheme, with promenades, lighting, and boating facilities added.
Uttar Pradesh has pursued similar waterfront projects in Prayagraj , Varanasi , and Ayodhya under the same administration.
Future phases of development and official footfall data from the state tourism department are expected in the coming budget cycle.
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh shared remarks by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday, 23 July 2026, highlighting the transformation of Ramgarhtal in Gorakhpur from a neglected, mosquito-ridden lake into a thriving tourism destination that is sustaining the livelihoods of thousands of residents.
In his remarks, CM Yogi said: 'Gorakhpur ka Ramgarhtal jo kabhi sunsan tha, gandagi thi, machchar the... aaj woh paryatan ka behtareen kendra ban gaya hai.' ['Gorakhpur's Ramgarhtal, which was once desolate, dirty, and mosquito-infested... has today become an excellent tourism centre.'] He added that thousands of people are now earning their livelihoods through the lake, and that the government's intent was to do good — and it had delivered on that promise.
Context
Ramgarhtal is a large urban lake in Gorakhpur, the eastern Uttar Pradesh city where CM Yogi Adityanath served as a Member of Parliament for two decades before becoming Chief Minister in 2017. For years, the lake suffered from encroachment, stagnant water, and poor sanitation, making it a public health concern rather than a civic asset. The state government has since redeveloped it with promenades, decorative lighting, and boating facilities, repositioning it as a recreational and tourism space.
Policy Backdrop
The Ramgarhtal project falls within the broader framework of the Smart Cities Mission and the AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme, under which Uttar Pradesh channelled central and state funds into urban lake restoration and waterfront development after 2017. The Yogi Adityanath government has pursued similar interventions at water bodies and riverfronts in Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ayodhya, combining environmental remediation with the creation of revenue-generating public spaces. The approach reflects a deliberate state strategy to reduce regional development disparities by investing in smaller cities alongside the better-known pilgrimage and heritage sites.
Stakeholders and Impact
Local tourism operators, boat owners, vendors, and hospitality workers in Gorakhpur are the primary beneficiaries of the lake's redevelopment. The Chief Minister's Office has emphasised livelihood generation as a central outcome, though precise figures on the number of people employed around Ramgarhtal have not been independently verified. For Gorakhpur residents, the transformation also carries a quality-of-life dimension — the lake now serves as a public recreational space in a city that historically lagged behind western Uttar Pradesh in civic infrastructure investment.
What's Next
Attention will turn to the Uttar Pradesh state tourism department's forthcoming data on visitor footfall at Ramgarhtal and whether the next budget cycle allocates funds for additional phases of development around the lake or other Gorakhpur water bodies. The government's public messaging around this project also signals that urban tourism infrastructure in tier-2 cities will remain a visible political and policy priority for the Yogi Adityanath administration heading into the next electoral cycle.
Point of View
Now thriving'), the administration frames urban renewal as personal accountability made visible. This fits a broader UP pattern of using heritage, religious, and now ecological sites as proof-points of developmental governance. The emphasis on livelihood generation, rather than just aesthetics, signals an attempt to broaden the appeal of urban tourism projects beyond the middle class to include informal-sector workers.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ramgarhtal in Gorakhpur?
Ramgarhtal is a large urban lake in Gorakhpur, eastern Uttar Pradesh, that has been redeveloped by the state government with promenades, lighting, and boating facilities, transforming it from a neglected water body into a public tourism destination.
What did CM Yogi say about Ramgarhtal?
CM Yogi Adityanath said that Ramgarhtal, once desolate, dirty, and mosquito-infested, has today become an excellent tourism centre and is sustaining the livelihoods of thousands of people, adding that the government's intent to do good has been fulfilled.
Which government scheme funded Ramgarhtal's development?
The redevelopment of Ramgarhtal was carried out under the central government's Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme, which funded urban lake restoration and waterfront infrastructure across Uttar Pradesh.
How has Ramgarhtal helped local residents?
According to the Chief Minister's Office, the tourism and recreational infrastructure around Ramgarhtal is now supporting the livelihoods of thousands of Gorakhpur residents, including local vendors, boat operators, and tourism workers.
Are there similar lake or waterfront projects in Uttar Pradesh?
Yes, the Yogi Adityanath government has executed similar waterfront and lake beautification projects in Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ayodhya, combining environmental remediation with public recreational spaces as part of the state's urban development strategy.
