PM Modi Chants Development Mantra, Dedicates Projects Worth Rs 3200 Cr

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched various development projects worth over INR 3,200 crore at Kerala Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Sunday, April 25. The projects included the inauguration of the Kochi Water Metro and the first Vande Bharat Express train in Kerala. While chanting his new development mantra, he also laid the foundation stone for various railway projects and the Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram. PM Modi remarked that the developmental and connectivity projects launched in Kerala will provide a boost to the state's development.

 Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram

Apart from this, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram. Digital Science Park is envisaged as a key research facility to develop digital products and services by industry and business units in collaboration with academia.  As a third generation Science Park, the Digital Science Park will house common facilities to support the development of products in the area of Industry 4.0 Technologies like AI, Data Analytics, Cyber Security, Smart Materials etc. The state-of-the-art basic infrastructure will support high-end applied research by industries and the co-development of products in association with the Universities. The initial investment for Phase-1 of the project is around Rs 200 crore while the total project outlay has been estimated at around Rs 1515 crore.

PM Modi Inaugrates Vande Bharat In Kerala

The Prime Minister flagged off Kerala's first Vande Bharat Express train, which runs between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod. During his speech, he lauded the significance of this train, which links North Kerala with South Kerala and connects to Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Kannur, easing travel to places of pilgrimage. The train is a semi-high-speed one and is said to be eco-friendly.

Various Railway Projects Announced

The PM also laid the foundation stone for various railway projects, including gauge conversion, doubling, and electrification of railway tracks. He informed that work for the redevelopment of three major railway stations in Kerala has been initiated to create a multimodal transport hub. He also spoke about work being done to prepare the Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur section for semi-high-speed trains. The Prime Minister expressed his commitment to cooperative federalism and said that the government considers the development of states as the development of the country.

Kochi Water Metro Inaugurated

PM Modi inaugurated the Kochi Water Metro, which is a Made in India project. The metro system aims to provide modern and affordable transport to people living on the nearby islets of Kochi, as well as intermodal connectivity between the bus terminal and the metro network. The Kochi Water Metro is also expected to benefit backwater tourism in Kerala and ease traffic congestion in the city.

G20 Is Giving Kerala More Global Exposure

The Prime Minister emphasized that Kerala has a lot to offer to the country and the world. “Kerala has culture, cuisine and climate which has the source of prosperity inherent in them”, the Prime Minister pointed out. Referring to the recent G20 meet in Kumarakom, the Prime Minister said that such events give Kerala more global exposure.

Modi On Millets

The Prime Minister mentioned famous Shri Annas (millets) from Kerala such as Ragi Pattu. Shri Modi exhorted everyone to be vocal about the local produce and products. “When our products reach global markets, the path of Viksit Bharat will get stronger”, he said.

Other Projects Launched By PM Modi

Apart from the train and metro systems, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of the Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram. He said that the park would give a fillip to the Digital India initiative and underscored the global appreciation for India's digital system. The Prime Minister also spoke about the importance of connectivity infrastructure and mentioned solutions like semi-hybrid trains, Regional Rapid Transport Systems, Ro-Ro ferries, and ropeways. He said that these projects are situation-specific solutions for connectivity and highlighted the indigenous origins of the Made in India Vande Bharat and metro coaches.

PM Modi said that the government is working with a service-oriented approach, and the nation can progress at a faster rate only if Kerala progresses. He emphasized that the investments made towards connectivity not only expand the scope of services but also reduce the distance and connect various cultures without discrimination. With this significant infrastructure investment in Kerala, the state is expected to see a boost in its development and growth prospects.