Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a 'Swachhata Abhiyan' (cleanliness drive) at Nashik's Kalaram temple in Maharashtra on Friday. Prior to this, he was set to inaugurate the 21.8-km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), India's lengthiest sea bridge. Videos circulated by BJP leaders on social media captured PM Modi mopping the temple floors in Nashik's Panchavati area along the Godavari river.
Take A Look At The Video Here:
During his address at the Rashtriya Yuva Mahotsav in Tapovan Ground, Nashik, PM Modi called upon citizens to initiate cleanliness drives in temples nationwide. He specifically highlighted the forthcoming consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, urging a collective effort to ensure cleanliness across religious sites.
"I urge everyone that on the occasion of ‘pran pratishtha’ in the Ram Temple, a cleanliness campaign should be carried out in all temples and shrines of the country…Today I have the privilege of visiting Kalaram Temple and cleaning the temple premises,” he can heard saying in the video.
PM Modi also participated in an epic recitation of the Ramayana's 'Yudh Kanda' section at the Mandir Sansthan after offering prayers at the Kalaram Temple. Earlier in the day, he paid respects to Swami Vivekananda in Nashik on the spiritual leader's birth anniversary. During his address, PM Modi celebrated Vivekananda's transformative influence during India's colonial era.
Upon his arrival in Maharashtra, PM Modi's itinerary included laying foundation stones for development projects valued at ₹30,500 crores. Among his inaugurated projects, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, popularly known as the Mumbai Transharbour Link (MTHL), stands out. This 21.8 km, six-lane bridge—with approximately 16.5 km over the sea and 5.5 km on land—costs over ₹17,840 crores. The bridge aims to enhance connectivity to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, reducing travel times to Pune, Goa, and South India, according to official statements.