Jalaun: Kalpi handmade paper and a 56,000-acre industrial township
On 25 July 2026 the UP Chief Minister inaugurated 158 and laid foundations for 216 projects, 374 in all, worth ₹1,274 crore in the Urai, Madhogarh and Kalpi areas of Jalaun. He said Kalpi’s handmade paper has a GI tag and reaches countries such as Canada, Japan and Germany, and that BIDA is coming up on about 56,000 acres.
- Date
- 25 Jul 2026
- District
- Jalaun (Urai, Madhogarh, Kalpi)
- Projects
- 374 worth ₹1,274 crore (216 foundation, 158 inaugurated)
- GI product
- Kalpi handmade paper
- Industrial township
- BIDA, about 56,000 acres
- Solar expressway
- about 550 MW planned
The Jalaun projects and Kalpi handmade paper: what happened?
The CM called Jalaun the gateway of Bundelkhand. He said the area is no longer a land of ravines and dacoits. Jalaun is also known for its peas. The State is betting on expressways and a new industrial town to bring jobs.
- The CM launched 374 projects worth ₹1,274 crore in Jalaun. [UP CM press note]
- He said Kalpi’s handmade paper has a GI tag and an industrial township is being developed on about 56,000 acres. [UP CM press note]
What else is special about Jalaun?
- Called the birthplace of Maharshi Ved Vyas and the tapobhumi of Rishi Jalwan.
- A Sun temple said to be built by Samba, grandson of Lord Krishna.
- The Ramlila of Konch is in the Limca Book of Records.
- The Yamuna-Betwa confluence and the Pahuj form a triveni here.
- Rangoli is the first gram panchayat of Jalaun to reach zero poverty; about 400 Amrit Sarovars have been made.
What infrastructure is coming?
- BIDA, called the country’s biggest industrial area, with a future-ready township on about 56,000 acres.
- Country’s first solar expressway in Bundelkhand: about 550 MW, enough for one lakh homes.
- Work on the Jhansi Link Expressway has begun; the Chitrakoot Link Expressway is moving ahead.
- Land is being acquired for an industrial manufacturing and logistics corridor in Jalaun.
What can Prelims ask on the Jalaun projects and Kalpi handmade paper?
- Kalpi (Jalaun): handmade paper with GI tag.
- Konch Ramlila: Limca Book of Records.
- First solar expressway: Bundelkhand, about 550 MW.
Read all of July 2026 in the monthly UP current affairs compilation →
How to use this in Mains
- Kalpi paper is a classic UP GI product; the township is Bundelkhand's biggest industrial bet.
Quotable data pointThe CM launched 374 projects worth ₹1,274 crore in Jalaun [UP CM press note].
UP Information Dept, CM press note 2026-07-25: मुख्यमंत्री ने जनपद जालौन में उरई, माधौगढ़ एवं कालपी विधान सभा क्षेत्रों की 1,274 करोड़ रु0 लागत की 374 विकास परियोजनाओं का लोकार्पण एवं शिलान्यास किया (Hindi PDF)
Exam angle
GS-VI: Bundelkhand development. Pair Kalpi paper (GI) with BIDA and the solar expressway.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Handmade paper with a GI tag comes from which town of Jalaun district?
Answer (b) & explanation
UP CM press note, 25 Jul 2026.
The Ramlila of which place in Jalaun is in the Limca Book of Records?
Answer (b) & explanation
UP CM press note, 25 Jul 2026.
Questions students ask about this
Which Jalaun product has a GI tag?
Kalpi handmade paper.
How big is the BIDA township?
About 56,000 acres.
What is special about the Bundelkhand solar expressway?
It is the country's first solar expressway, with about 550 MW planned.
Keep studying
Go deeper
facts from cited sources only; numbers machine-checked against source text; faculty review pending