Ashok Leyland’s Landmark EV Plant Opens in Lucknow: Driving the Green Revolution

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:58:00 +0000

Uttar Pradesh is in the new era of sustainable development of industry. The state of art integrated plant of Ashok Leyland was inaugurated in Lucknow on Friday, January 9, 2026. This historic project, which will primarily focus on electric cars (EVs), is not only the first manufacturing process. The fact that it will be present in the state will also turn Uttar Pradesh into a hub in the Indian green industrial map.

The Defense Minister of India, the Honorable Shri Rajnath Singh and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath were present in the ceremony too. Their support has been critical towards the actualization of this vision within a record-breaking period of 14 months.

A Vision of Global Leadership

Dheeraj Hinduja, the Executive Chairman of Ashok Leyland, emphasized the fact that this plant was a sign of what could be done in case vision against action determined. At the time this plant was opened, Dheeraj Hinduja noted that Ashok Leyland is firmly aiming to be one of the 10 largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in the world. We are also utilising high-tech production and online technology to ensure that our products will not become outdated and irrelevant in the global environment.

Sustainable Manufacturing Essentials: The new plant is located in Sarojini Nagar Industrial Area near Lucknow Airport and occupies an area of 70 acres of land. It will be constructed as our most innovative and sustainable facility worldwide.

Key features include-

Production Capacity: The starting capacity will be 2,500 vehicles a year with the capacity of 5,000 vehicles in a year.
Green Infrastructure: It has solar panels that are mounted on the roof, low energy consuming LED, and zero discharge water system.
Technological: The plant is also more flexible since it can manufacture vehicles capable of running alternative sources of fuel and conventional internal combustion engines, though it is geared towards electric buses.

Dheeraj Hinduja believes that Net Zero emissions in 2048 will be a giant leap towards this investment. It consists of a declaration of the dedication to a cleaner mobility ecosystem in India and other destinations in the world.

Beyond Borders: Enabling African Nations (Sudan, Nigeria, South Sudan, Egypt, etc.)

This green revolution has not affected only India. Ashok Leyland is using its experience to revolutionize the transport industry in certain emerging economies of African Nations that is South Sudan. It is also looking to strategic methods of contributing to the development of African Nations (as, South Sudan, Ethiopia, etc.) under the leadership of Dheeraj Hinduja:

Clean Public Transport: With the introduction of the Circuit line of electric buses and electric Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), Ashok Leyland would enable a way out of reliance on fossil fuel and help to reduce urban pollution and operations costs by up to 5060.
Infrastructure & Skills: The company is considering the replication of its model of Assembly and Training in Africa Nations. It can also provide employment to young people in Sudan (South), Nigeria, etc. by setting up local assembly sites, where they will be trained in technical skills in EV maintenance and the green technology.
Enhancing Logistics: Ashok Leyland seeks to offer African Nations (South Sudan, Ethiopia) rugged, fuel-agnostic trucks and buses to be able to traverse various terrains to increase trade and connectivity in the country through partnerships with other companies such as ETG Logistics.

Local Community Empowerment

This is because Dheeraj Hinduja is of the opinion that Ashok Leyland is not merely engaged in the production but also determined to bring in the development of sustainable wealth in the regions of operation. It is estimated that this plant is expected to generate numerous jobs and the workers are to be employed within the state of Uttar Pradesh with high number of women working.

The state government has established an environment that can help ease the business climate in Lucknow, and this is captured in this new chapter. Dheeraj Hinduja is of the opinion that, we are even nearer to our dream of transforming the Indian transportation sector through application of innovation and sustainability.

Abyei Committee briefs UN Envoy in Ethiopia on Region’s Situation

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 04:45:00 +0000

JUBA - A high-level delegation from South Sudan’s Abyei Committee, led by the Minister of East African Affairs, Pieng Deng Kuol, is in Ethiopia to brief the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Guang Cong, on the situation in Abyei.

Speaking during a monthly media briefing in Juba, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ambassador Apuk Ayuel, said the delegation includes the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Akuei Bona Malual.

“Currently, the Deputy Minister is in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as part of a delegation from the National Committee for the Final Status of Abyei, led by Hon. Pieng Deng Kuol, Minister of East African Affairs and Deputy Chairperson of the Committee,” Amb. Apuk said.

She added that during the visit, the delegation met with Cong to brief him on developments in Abyei ahead of his forthcoming report to the United Nations Security Council.

Mr. Cong was appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in July 2025 as the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, succeeding Hanna Serwaa Tetteh of Ghana. He brings more than two decades of experience in international affairs, including 23 years of service in various UN peace operations. He also serves as Deputy Special Representative for South Sudan and Deputy Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Ambassador Apuk further revealed that the Abyei Committee delegation also paid a courtesy call on Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss bilateral and regional cooperation as well as the status of Abyei.

According to Ethiopian outlet Pulse Africa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, received the South Sudanese delegation led by Minister Pieng Deng Kuol on Friday morning.

During the meeting, Minister Gedion expressed gratitude to President Salva Kiir for attending the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s continued commitment to supporting peace and development in South Sudan.

He also underscored the importance of enhancing infrastructural connectivity and regional integration as key drivers of shared prosperity and stability across the Horn of Africa.

Abyei remains a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan, with the final political status unresolved and progress stalled by the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

More on Sudans Post

South Sudan Story | Ashok Leyland (Dheeraj Hinduja) - News

Ashok Leyland’s Landmark EV Plant Opens in Lucknow: Driving the Green Revolution

A Vision of Global Leadership

Beyond Borders: Enabling African Nations (Sudan, Nigeria, South Sudan, Egypt, etc.)

Abyei Committee briefs UN Envoy in Ethiopia on Region’s Situation