In Amethi, PM Modi to open Kalashnikov rifle plant

NEW DELHI/ LUCKNOW: After the show of strength at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan for the NDA rally on Sunday, PM Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation an ordnance factory for manufacturing of latest series of the iconic Kalashnikov rifles, a joint venture between India and Russia, at Amethi, the constituency of Congress president Rahul Gandhi.


Billed as a shining example of ‘Make in India’, the joint venture will bolster the armed forces in the country.

The PM will also unveil several development projects relating to power, education, health and manufacturing sectors. The rifle manufacturing project, worth around Rs 12,000 crore, will also generate employment in the area besides giving a boost to UP Defence Corridor project.

It will be Modi’s first visit to the Congress stronghold after becoming PM. Union minister Smriti Irani, who contested against Rahul from Amethi in 2014 elections, will accompany the PM, who will also hold a public meeting. CM Yogi Adityanath and UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey will be present.

The rally venue, Samrat cycle ground, has also been strategically chosen. Samrat cycle project was one of the projects initiated in 1986 during the regime of former PM Rajiv Gandhi. UPSIDC had acquired around 204 acres of land out of which 123 acres were allocated in the name of Samrat Cycles. The project, however could not take off.