Lucknow took a major step forward in industrial development on Friday with the inauguration of Ashok Leyland’s new electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility. The ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, marking a milestone for the state’s push toward sustainable mobility and industrial growth.
Addressing the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the plant as a reflection of Uttar Pradesh’s transformation under the current BJP government. He contrasted the state’s present investment-friendly environment with the pre-2017 period, when lawlessness and poor governance reportedly discouraged investors and prompted even existing businesses to consider leaving.
“Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh faced serious challenges, and investors were hesitant to stay. Since assuming office, we have focused on unlocking the state’s immense potential. Today, Uttar Pradesh is not just a state of possibilities—it is a state turning potential into tangible results,” the Chief Minister said. He added that the state’s eight-and-a-half-year development journey serves as a model for the entire country.
CM Adityanath emphasized that Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a preferred destination for both domestic and international investors, guided by an “Industry First” and “Investor First” policy framework. He also noted the environmental significance of the Ashok Leyland EV plant, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for sustainable development and climate action. According to the Chief Minister, the project has created numerous direct and indirect employment opportunities for young people in the region.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the inauguration as a proud occasion for both Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh. He underlined that the establishment of such modern facilities underscores the state’s industrial transformation, turning a region once associated with crime and backwardness into a hub of regular industrial activity.
Highlighting strategic development initiatives, Rajnath Singh pointed to the emergence of Uttar Pradesh as a centre for national security-related projects, including the creation of a defence industrial corridor. “The same state that was once considered backward is now seeing industries established on a daily basis. Projects connected to national security are also underway, marking a remarkable shift in the state’s development trajectory,” he said.
The Ashok Leyland EV plant is expected to drive the growth of electric mobility, strengthen industrial output, and generate employment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh, while supporting India’s broader objectives in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
