In surprise visit, Rahul promises to connect Amethi to America

Apparently provoked by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's focus on enhancing road network across the state, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has suddenly woken up to the need of better infrastructure in Amethi, his parliamentary constituency, about 150 km from Lucknow.

Arriving on an unannounced visit to Amethi on Friday, Rahul not only went about assuring his constituents that expansion of the existing road network was on top of his agenda now, but went a step ahead. He promised direct connectivity from Amethi to America.

"So far we have been able to provide you good road connectivity to Lucknow and Delhi, but my ultimate dream is to ensure such connectivity that the flowers grown in Amethi can reach absolutely fresh in America," Rahul told a gathering.

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"With a view to connecting Amethi to the rest of the world, we also have plans to increase the length of the runaway at the Indira Gandhi Flying Academy at Fursatganj besides expanding the airstrip at Amahat," he added.

"Let me tell you that my goal is to provide such facilities to the people of Amethi that they are able to send their produce directly from here to the UK, USA and Dubai", he pointed out.

With Union surface transport minister C P Jopshi in toe, Rahul was surely in a more convincing frame to tell the people of Amethi how an improved network of roads in and around the district could transform the lives of the locals.

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While talking about his other plans to enhance economic activity in the otherwise neglected area, the Nehru-Gandhi scion said, "As many as about 140 food processing units and cold storages are in the pipeline for Jagdishpur and I am sure these will go a long way in generating employment in this region. A paper mill may also be set up in the Jagdishpur industrial area to further enhance employment opportunities."

In an unusual gesture, Rahul also made it a point to remind his constituents about all that he had done for the larger good of Amethi -- that was elevated as a district by then Bahujan Samaj Party chief minister Mayawati who always flayed him for "doing nothing" for his constituency. 

"Amethi has got more roads than any other place in the country; we have spent a sum of Rs 420 crore, allocated out of the prime minister's rural road programme to Amethi," he discolsed, in an obvious bid to remind locals of his commitment to their needs.

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