Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated and dedicated to the nation several key development projects that are more deserving $10,000 crore in Kerala during his visit to the state.
The Prime Minister launched projects of various central ministries, including the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Ministry of Rural Development, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Railways, during the programs in the port city.
Modi laid the foundation stone for a polypropylene unit worth more than that $5,500 crore, at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (BPCL) Kochi Refinery, inaugurated two major highway projects, each built at a cost of over $2000 Crores, allocated for the nation’s initiatives worth $142 Crores in Railway Sector.
The Prime Minister also announced a new train service aimed at improving connectivity and promoting sustainable transportation in the region.
During the programme, Modi also inaugurated three redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme – Shoranur Junction, Kottipuram Railway Station and Changanassery Railway Station.
It was developed at a total cost of approx $52 crore, the stations were modernized with improved passenger facilities, better distribution areas and enhanced accessibility.
In his inaugural address, the Prime Minister said that for the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ schemes, expansion in the oil sector was very important.
“This is the vision behind laying the foundation stone for the polypropylene unit at the Kochi Refinery,” he said.
Modi said that this unit will produce around 4,000 tons of polypropylene and will support factories such as packaging, textiles, automobiles, medical devices and many others.
He further said that India has become a huge industrial hub today.
“The country is also progressing rapidly in the artificial intelligence and semiconductor sectors. Such processes require high energy consumption. Therefore, there is a growing need for more green and clean energy,” the Prime Minister said.
“India has already become one of the best countries in the world in terms of solar energy. It should make progress in solar power generation, and as a step in this direction, the foundation stone for the 50 MW floating solar project has been laid in Kalada West,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said that the world is praising India highly for its investments in modern infrastructure.
In the central government budget presented this time, a record share has been allocated for infrastructure, he added, adding that Kerala is benefiting greatly from this continued investment.
The two national highway projects he inaugurated were the six-lane project of the Thalappadi-Chingala section of NH-66, which was built at a cost of over $2,650 crore, and the Kozhikode bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara, was constructed at a cost of approx. $2,140 Crores.
The two projects will improve connectivity to Ajikal port and reduce traffic problem in Kozhikode, he said, adding that they will also benefit farmers in the state and boost tourism.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated 23 rural roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Kerala.
