CM Yogi Adityanath and Rajnath Singh inaugurated Ashok Leyland’s EV plant in Lucknow, boosting jobs, Make in India, and electric vehicle production.

Lucknow:  Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh inaugurated Ashok Leyland’s new EV production plant. The dignitaries examined the facilities and planted vermilion and Rudraksha seedlings there. The Chief Minister congratulated the Hinduja family on their investment and expressed gratitude for their trust in the Uttar Pradesh government, calling the initiative as extremely important to the state.

CM Yogi recalled the circumstances before to 2017, saying, “Lawlessness in Uttar Pradesh was well-known, and investors were progressively withdrawing. After taking office in 2017, the government reiterated that Uttar Pradesh is a land of limitless possibilities. While some attempted to ruin the state’s image for political benefit, Uttar Pradesh has now emerged as a state that uses its tremendous potential to achieve practical results.”

He further stated: “The transformation witnessed over the past eight-and-a-half years stands as clear evidence of this change.” He stated that the inauguration ceremony symbolizes the growing confidence of the state’s industry.

The Chief Minister stated that the factory now has an annual manufacturing capacity of 2,500 units, which will be increased to 5,000 units in stages. He stated, “The project reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to industrial growth while protecting the environment, as well as the shared determination to prepare for global challenges such as climate change and environmental disruptions.” The electric car manufacturing facility is part of these initiatives, and it has created direct and indirect job possibilities for thousands of young people in Uttar Pradesh.”

CM Yogi further mentioned that investments have now reached all 75 districts of the state. Highlighting considerable connectivity upgrades, he stated that Uttar Pradesh boasts 55% of India’s expressways, the most metro services, and the country’s largest rail network. Two dedicated freight corridors run through Uttar Pradesh, and logistics facilities and transportation hubs are being built throughout the state. Uttar Pradesh also has the country’s first quick rail and inland waterway systems functioning.

Also read: Yogi Adityanath Launches Panchayati Raj Monthly Newsletter “Panchayaton Ki Pragati Gatha”

The governor remarked, “Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh struggled with unrest and an identity crisis, but today it is a state of celebration.”

He stressed that Uttar Pradesh is no longer a ‘BIMARU’ state and has established itself as a revenue-surplus state. Clear intent, decisive government, and a well-defined vision have transformed bold enterprise, ease of doing business, and trust in governance into defining characteristics of the new Uttar Pradesh.

He claimed that policy paralysis had no place in the state and pointed out that 34 sector-specific rules are in place, allowing investors to engage in Uttar Pradesh’s growth across all sectors.

Referring to Prime Minister Modi’s Vision 2047, CM Yogi stated that every citizen is dedicated to transforming India into a Viksit and Atmanirbhar nation by that year. He described the Ashok Leyland factory as a big step forward in the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a popular investment location for both domestic and international investors, thanks to its industry-first and investor-first attitude.

He added, “Over the past 8-9 years, the state has received investment proposals worth ₹45 lakh crore.” Groundbreaking ceremonies have already taken place for ₹15 lakh crore projects, with another ₹6 lakh crore set to begin next month. Additional projects totaling ₹5 lakh crore are in the works and will begin construction in Uttar Pradesh.

According to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh accounts for 9.5% of India’s GDP and is projected to exceed ₹36 lakh crore by the conclusion of the current fiscal year.

He elaborated: “Through financial discipline and improved fiscal management, Uttar Pradesh has charted a clear growth trajectory.”

In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition of transforming India into a $5 trillion economy by 2027, the Chief Minister stated, “Uttar Pradesh has set its target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2029-30.”

The Chief Minister stated that Uttar Pradesh has made significant progress toward becoming a worldwide powerhouse for electronics and information technology.

He pointed out that Uttar Pradesh now produces 55% of the country’s mobile phones and 60% of its electronic goods. The state also ranks highly for ease of doing business. He emphasized the state’s rapid growth in sectors such as MSMEs, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, robotics, electric vehicles, agritech, fintech, deeptech, healthtech, tourism, hospitality, defense manufacturing, and sports.

He also stated: “Uttar Pradesh today is home to over 18,000 startups, supported by 76 incubators, seven Centres of Excellence, and eight unicorns.”

CM Yogi stated that Ashok Leyland’s electric vehicle manufacturing unit was developed under the state’s FDI and Fortune 500 policies. He remembered that before to 2017, Uttar Pradesh had a minuscule percentage of foreign direct investment, but proactive policies have allowed the state to attract global investors and Fortune 500 corporations.

Highlighting governance efficiency, he stated that the project’s MoU was signed in September 2023, followed by the Letter of Intent and land allotment process in January 2024. The commissioning of a world-class manufacturing facility in just 18 months, he claimed, is a direct result of the double-engine government’s expedited clearances and strong governance system.

The Chief Minister further highlighted that investor facilitation platforms such as Nivesh Mitra, Nivesh Sarathi, and Udyami Mitra ensure seamless inter-departmental cooperation, quick approvals, and ongoing support for investors. As a result, Uttar Pradesh’s auto components and electric vehicle ecosystems have grown rapidly, a trend that the government aims to continue by capitalizing on the state’s tremendous potential.

Also read: CM Yogi Adityanath Highlights India’s Sanatan Legacy at Hinduja Foundation Book Launch

He continued, “In 2024, Uttar Pradesh accounted for 19% of India’s overall electric car market. The state has also emerged as a significant beneficiary of the FAME I and FAME II projects, with 700 electric buses now operating in Uttar Pradesh.”

According to CM Yogi, the new plant produces a 17-18 passenger bus priced at around ₹15 lakh, suitable for school transportation and inter-city connection.

He also stated that the state’s Electric Vehicle Policy will provide a considerable boost to the manufacture of such vehicles. The Chief Minister also announced that the Hinduja Group will sign an agreement with the Uttar Pradesh government to give skill development training to 10,000 youth each year at the facility.

He stated that the EV industry is extremely important in terms of new skills, emerging technologies, and future-ready employment, and that ITIs, polytechnics, and engineering institutions are being enhanced to better prepare students for this shift. With the country’s largest workforce, he believes Uttar Pradesh is set to remake itself as a state of trust and transformation.

Ashok Leyland Chairman Dheeraj Hinduja welcomed the dignitaries to the occasion, and MD and CEO Shenu Agarwal expressed gratitude. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Cabinet Ministers Suresh Khanna and Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, MLA Rajeshwar Singh, and other dignitaries were also present.