Dismal power, impediment to industrial growth in UP: Rahul

Jagdishpur, Sultanpur, Dec 2 (UNI) The dismal power situation in Uttar Pradesh is hindering the industrial development, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi lamented today.

Addressing a gathering here after laying the foundation stones of two Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) units to produce fabricated material and electrical machine components, the Amethi MP said like former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, he wanted to revive the Jagdishpur industrial belt.

''I have been trying...but power is a problem,'' he said.

The young MP said he believed in the vision of late Rajiv Gandhi to work for the industrial development of Amethi and Rae Bareli. But at the same time inadequate power supply was a major impediment.

''The state government will have to take steps in this regard,'' he added.

Quoting locals, Mr Gandhi said the area received power supply of only nine hours every day and termed it as ''very little.'' He said while new industrial units were coming up in the area, efforts were on to revive the closed units.

The Amethi MP informed that Railway drivers' traning institute and a Hindustan Papers unit were set to come up, a defunct steel unit was being revived. He retierated the need for adequate power supply for the proper functioning of the industries coming up.

UNI