TOI Dialogues - Infrastructure Chapter: UP's path to future-ready growth; experts stress need for skill development
As part of its ongoing initiative 'Driving India's Growth One Dialogue at a Time,' Times of India hosted the latest edition of its flagship event, TOI Dialogues – Infrastructure Chapter in Lucknow.
The e-conclave brought together key voices from government and industry to deliberate on
Uttar Pradesh
's developmental strides in infrastructure, employment and investment.
The event focused on Uttar Pradesh's transformational journey, with particular emphasis on roads, smart cities, green energy and industrial growth. The second panel discussion was on the theme 'Creating a Future-Ready Uttar Pradesh by Connecting Infrastructure, Industry, and Human Capital' and was moderated by Sanjay Bhatnagar.
The panel comprised of following dignitaries:
Amit Mohan Prasad, Ex-additional chief secretary MSME
Pulkit Khare, Mission Director, Skill Development Mission, Uttar Pradesh
Shashank Chaudhary, Assistant CEO, Invest UP
Rahul Ahluwalia, Director, Foundation for Economic Development
Vineet Rai, Vice Chairman, Aavishkaar Group
Amit Mohan Prasad: MSMEs as growth engines:
Opening the discussion, Amit Mohan Prasad emphasized Uttar Pradesh's emergence as a top investment destination due to factors such as improved law and order, progressive industrial policies and a large consumer base.
Highlighting the CM Yuva program, he explained the state's flagship scheme aims to support one lakh micro enterprises annually over the next decade.
'MSMEs are the biggest employment generators, contributing 30% to GDP, 60% to employment and 45% to exports,' he noted.
Pulkit Khare: Skilling for the future:
Pulkit Khare stressed the critical link between infrastructure and human capital, noting that without the right skill sets, physical infrastructure loses its value. He revealed that only 70% of graduates in UP are considered industry-ready, with national figures even lower.
The initiative lead by him is providing free training programs in emerging domains like AI and IT to bridge the gap. 'Any kind of physical infrastructure is incomplete if we don't have proper human infrastructure,' he added.
Shashank Chaudhary: Changing perceptions of UP:
Shashank Chaudhary addressed the evolving investor sentiment, pointing out that UP was once seen as an agrarian state, plagued with concerns over governance and infrastructure. However, initiatives like expressway networks, upcoming airports and electronic manufacturing parks have redefined investor confidence.
'Today, investors appreciate the scale of development. Those who've started operations in UP are running them successfully,' he stated.
Rahul Ahluwalia: UP must compete globally:
Rahul Ahluwalia offered a broader perspective on ease of doing business, arguing that UP must now aim to compete with countries like China and Vietnam, not just Indian states.
'UP has gone from being one of the most restrictive states to one of the most liberal in terms of business reforms,' he observed.
Vineet Rai: A time for introspection:
Concluding the discussion, Vineet Rai acknowledged that basic infrastructural needs have been met, but the state must now focus on raising per capita GDP and achieving the aspiration of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
He stressed the need for joint action by the government and private sector, saying, 'The ecosystem in UP at this point of time needs a critical introspection of itself.'
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