‘Kerala’s development is India’s development’: PM Modi inaugurates slew of projects in state

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.

A view of the India’s first Water Metro that is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)

Apart from the Metro, Modi will also dedicate the rail electrification of Dindigul-Palani-Palakkad section.

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.

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