Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several major development projects in Kerala during a function held at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium complex in Kaloor. Projects worth around ₹10,800 crore were launched during the event.
Among the key projects inaugurated were the six-lane stretch of National Highway 66 between Thalappady and Chengala, and the six-lane Kozhikode bypass stretch from Vengalam to Ramanattukara. The Prime Minister also flagged off the Palakkad–Pollachi MEMU train service.
However, the state government boycotted the function after Public Works Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas was reportedly not invited to the National Highway inauguration ceremony.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister attended the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Dheevara Sabha at Marine Drive ground in Ernakulam. A roadshow covering around seven kilometres was also held from Pandit Karuppan Nagar at Marine Drive to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Later, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a polypropylene unit at the Kochi refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. The plant, to be built at a cost of about ₹5,500 crore, will have the capacity to produce four lakh tonnes of polypropylene annually, he said. Union Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi welcomed the Prime Minister at the event.
Highlighting renewable energy initiatives, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a 50-megawatt floating solar project at West Kallada in Kollam district.
Addressing the gathering at the Dheevara Sabha event, the Prime Minister began his speech by greeting the fishing community as “children of the sea.” He praised fishermen for their role in protecting India’s coastline and for their bravery during floods, when many risked their lives to rescue families. He also said the central government has introduced several welfare initiatives for fishermen by establishing a dedicated ministry for the sector.
