Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kerala as part of a two-day trip to lay foundation stone and dedicate various development projects to tune the tune of over Rs 3,200 crore to the nation in Thiruvananthapuram.
During the visit, PM Modi flagged Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod, Kochi’s first Water Metro, Rail electrification of the Dindigul-Palani-Palakkad section and Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram.
PM Modi also met the top priests of various churches in Kerala. The visit was seen as a push by BJP to reach the minority community ahead of Lok Sabha polls 2024.
PM Modi Receives Rousing Welcome
PM Modi received a rousing welcome on both days in Kerala. PM Modi landed in naval air station at 5 PM on Monday and started his road show at 5.40 PM. Dressed in traditional Kerala attire, PM was welcomed by thousands of people including BJP workers who lined up from INS Garuda naval air station for a 2 km stretch. PM Modi also began the roadshow on foot and waved to the people on both sides of the road along the route which was under a tight security net.
On Tuesday, PM Modi greeted people as he arrived in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram for flagging off the Vande Bharat Express train at Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station.
PM Modi Meets Top Bishops Of Kerala
PM Modi met eight top Church priests including Syro-Malabar Catholic Church head Cardinal George Alencherry, Syro-Malankara Catholic Church head Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Syrian Orthodox Church head Baselios Marthoma Mathews III and Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Church Joseph Mor Gregorios on Monday.
The Prime Minister also met the senior priest of the Latin Catholic Church Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil, Archbishop of Knanaya Church Mathew Moolakkatt, Archbishop of the Knanaya Jacobite Archdiocese Kuriakose Mar Severios, and Metropolitan of the Chaldean Syrian Church Mar Awgin Kuriakose, BJP sources said, as per PTI.
The meeting, a part of the BJP's outreach campaign 'Sneha Yatra', took place at Hotel Taj Malabar after the Prime Minister attended a massive road show and a youth conclave, Yuvam 2023, at the Sacred Hearts College ground here.
PM Modi Dedicates Projects Worth Rs 3200 Cr
PM Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated projects worth over Rs 3200 crore in Thiruvananthapuram. PM Modi dedicated Kochi water metro which is a one-of-its-kind project connecting 10 islands around Kochi through hybrid boats for connectivity with Kochi city.
Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express. During the inauguration, PM Modi highlighted the transforming rail network in India and said, "Vande Bharat Express is the identity of aspirational India."
"Kerala's first Vande Bharat train will link North Kerala with South Kerala. The train will ease travel to places of pilgrimage like Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kannur."
He inaugurated rail electrification of Dindigul-Palani-Palakkad section. He laid the foundation of various rail projects including the redevelopment of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Varkala Sivagiri Railway Stations.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram. The park is aimed to help with a key research facility to develop digital products.