In a major announcement for India’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish 100-bed AYUSH wellness centres in every district and set up AYUSH colleges in six divisions, aiming to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare and generate employment for trained practitioners.
Addressing the State AYUSH Mission review meeting in Lucknow, the CM directed officials to expedite land identification and DPR preparations so that construction begins within the current fiscal year.
🔍 Key Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Announcement date | July 3, 2025 |
| Scheme name | UP AYUSH Mega Infrastructure Expansion |
| Key components | 100-bed wellness centres in all 75 districts; 6 new AYUSH colleges |
| Target completion | 2027 |
| Departments involved | Department of AYUSH, Medical Education Department, PWD |
🗣️ CM Yogi Adityanath’s Statement
While addressing officials, CM Yogi said:
“The world has recognised the preventive and curative strengths of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Uttar Pradesh will emerge as India’s AYUSH hub, integrating traditional medicine for affordable, holistic healthcare and youth employment.”
📊 Current AYUSH Healthcare Infrastructure In UP
| Facility type | Existing number | Post-project target |
|---|---|---|
| AYUSH dispensaries | 3,581 | 3,700+ |
| AYUSH hospitals | 252 | 327 (including new 100-bed centres) |
| Govt. AYUSH colleges | 9 | 15 |
(Source: UP AYUSH Department Annual Report 2024-25)
🔎 Project Components
- 100-Bed AYUSH Wellness Centres In Every District
- Multi-specialty OPD and IPD wings for Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy
- Panchakarma units and Yoga therapy halls
- Herbal gardens for raw drug cultivation and patient rehabilitation walks
- Specialised departments for lifestyle disorders, geriatrics, maternal health
- Six New AYUSH Colleges Division College Specialisation Proposed Meerut Ayurveda Kanpur Unani Lucknow Homeopathy Gorakhpur Ayurveda Varanasi Siddha & Yoga research Prayagraj Integrated AYUSH These colleges will add over 600 undergraduate seats and 200 postgraduate seats annually, boosting training capacity.
- Herbal Industry Promotion Hubs
- Development of herbal clusters in Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, Terai
- Linking farmers with AYUSH manufacturers through FPO models
🏆 Employment Generation Potential
| Profession | Estimated New Jobs Created |
|---|---|
| AYUSH doctors | 6,500 |
| Panchakarma therapists | 3,000 |
| Yoga instructors | 1,800 |
| College teaching faculty | 1,000 |
| Support staff | 5,000 |
| Total | 17,300 |
💬 Reactions From AYUSH Practitioners
Dr. Neeraj Sharma (President, UP Ayurveda Medical Association):
“This is a transformative step. Dedicated 100-bed centres will ensure clinical exposure for students, scientific validation of therapies, and better public healthcare delivery.”
Dr. Farzana Begum (Unani Practitioner, Kanpur):
“Integrating Unani hospitals with modern diagnostics will expand acceptance among patients for chronic lifestyle disorders.”
🔬 Implementation Strategy
| Phase | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Land identification & DPR | Aug 2025 |
| Tendering & approvals | Nov 2025 |
| Construction begins | Dec 2025 |
| Completion target | Dec 2027 |
🏥 Key Benefits For Public
- Affordable integrated healthcare combining AYUSH therapies with modern diagnostics
- Reduced burden on district hospitals for chronic and lifestyle diseases
- Health tourism promotion, especially in Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Lucknow
- Revival of traditional medicine knowledge and practice
🗣️ Union Minister For AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal Welcomes Move
The Union AYUSH Minister congratulated the UP government:
“This initiative aligns with the National AYUSH Mission and the PM’s vision of enhancing India’s traditional healthcare footprint globally.”
📈 Budgetary Provisions
| Component | Estimated Cost (Rs crore) |
|---|---|
| 100-bed centres (75) | 3,750 |
| 6 colleges | 1,200 |
| Equipment & herbal gardens | 350 |
| Faculty & staff recruitment | 400 |
| Total | 5,700 |
(Source: UP Finance Department indicative estimates)
🔮 Challenges Ahead
- Land availability in urban districts with high population density
- Recruitment of trained AYUSH faculty, currently limited in numbers
- Ensuring standardisation and quality control of therapies across districts
- Integration with modern healthcare referral systems for critical cases
📝 Opposition Reaction
Samajwadi Party leader Rajendra Chaudhary criticised the move, stating:
“While AYUSH expansion is good, the government must prioritise filling vacant posts in primary health centres and strengthening rural medical infrastructure.”
✅ Key Takeaways
- CM Yogi Adityanath has announced the establishment of 100-bed AYUSH wellness centres in every UP district and new AYUSH colleges in six divisions, aimed at mainstreaming traditional healthcare, creating ~17,000 jobs, and enhancing affordable public health services.
- The scheme targets completion by December 2027, with land identification and DPR finalisation to begin immediately.
- Experts believe it will position UP as a leading state for traditional medicine, herbal industries, and health tourism in India.
📌 Disclaimer
This news content is for informational and editorial purposes only. Data has been sourced from UP Cabinet notes, AYUSH department documents, and stakeholder interviews. Readers are advised to refer to official government notifications for final project details, eligibility criteria, and timelines.
