Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a two-day tour of Kerala, a state where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to expand its base ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. On Tuesday (April 25), Modi flagged off Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express train from state capital Thiruvananthapuram, and is set to dedicate the first-of-its-kind Kochi Water Metro to the nation. A significant enhancement to Kochi's infrastructure! The Kochi Water Metro would be dedicated to the nation. It will ensure seamless connectivity for Kochi. pic.twitter.com/SAvvEz8SFt — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 23, 2023 The first day of his tour was marked by an announcement that Kerala will accept the BJP soon, like Goa and the northeastern states. Addressing a youth conclave, he said, “The way Northeastern states and Goa accepted the BJP, its work and its government, Kerala too will accept it in the coming days." Here is what PM Modi will be inaugurating in Kerala today: 1. Vande Bharat Express Modi flagged off Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod at Thiruvananthapuram Central Station on Tuesday. The BJP is showcasing the introduction of the Vande Bharat service for Kerala rail commuters, framing it as the Centre’s answer to the CPI(M)-led state government’s demand for semi-high speed rail corridor, Silverline. The BJP claims that the Vande Bharat Express demonstrates its commitment to Kerala’s development. 2. Kochi Water Metro PM Modi will also be dedicating the Kochi Water Metro to the nation, a first-of-its-kind public boat service integrated with a metro rail network. The Rs 747-crore project is being implemented by Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRL). The project is implemented with assistance from German funding agency Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier termed the Kochi Water Metro as a “dream project” that would accelerate the growth and development of Kochi. Apart from the Metro, Modi will also dedicate the rail electrification of Dindigul-Palani-Palakkad section. The world-class #KochiWaterMetro is setting sail! It is Kerala's dream project connecting 10 islands in and around Kochi. KWM with 78 electric boats & 38 terminals cost 1,136.83 crores, funded by GoK & KfW. Exciting times are ahead for our transport and tourism sectors! pic.twitter.com/XTvUyqw59D — CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) April 22, 2023 3. Digital Science Park, Thiruvananthapuram PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the country’s first Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram. The Rs 1,500 crore project, focusing on digital technologies, is envisaged to help Kerala transform into a knowledge-based economy. The Park has been described as a 'key research facility to develop digital products and services by industry and business units in collaboration with the academia'. 4. Foundation of various rail projects PM Modi will also be laying the foundation of various rail projects in Thiruvananthapuram. This will include the redevelopment of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Varkala Sivagiri railway stations; comprehensive development of Thiruvananthapuram area including Nemon and Kochuveli and increasing of sectional speed of Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur section. Later in the day, the Prime Minister will head to Dadra and Nagar Haveli's Silvassa dedicate to the nation various development projects worth more than Rs 4850 crores, a press release by the government states. He will then inaugurate the Devka Seafront, a "one-of-its-kind coastal promenade", at Daman.
