Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi told voters in his constituency that he wanted Amethi known internationally.
Mr Gandhi, speaking at a public meeting in Amethi after laying the foundation of three new national highways, to cost `303 crore, said, “My purpose is to get Amethi an identity of its own at the international level. Food items and flowers exported from here should reach people in America. A lot of people in Amethi are engaged in rose cultivation and my dream is that, in 10 years, the people from here will be able to sell their grains and flowers even in America, England or Dubai.”
Mr Gandhi said he dreams of an Amethi where the youth will run their own business in America, and that to realise this dream a good road network was needed not only in Amethi, but all over India.
The Congress vice-president said he had been assured by the transport ministry that whatever works are required for road construction to achieve this aim would be done and Amethi would be well connected with other parts of India, and the world, by road, rail and telephone.
Referring to a proposed paper mill in Jagdishpur area here, he said it would provide direct employment to 10,000 people but would also cause pollution. Mr Gandhi said the runway of Fursatganj airport was being extended to Amethi and food processing units were being set up here to facilitate exports.
“I remember those days when I used to come here with my father. There were only one or two pucca roads here, but today you can see that there are a number of proper roads across Amethi. Rajiv Gandhi started the national highway project with NH 56 passing through Jagdishpur Indus-trial Estate. We also have built two national highwa-ys ... and I feel very happy that we are now launching three more highways here in Amethi,” he said.