Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday unveiled projects of around Rs.6,000 crore in Kerala, including a petrochemical complex and ferries for inland waterways at Wellingdon Islands, asserting that these projects will energise India’s growth trajectory and tourism.
Mr. Modi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan shared the stage and namastes at the event in Kochi – a significant moment ahead of the state assembly elections expected soon.
Besides inaugurating the projects, Mr. Modi also made considerable references in his speech to Indians working in the Gulf countries – a sizeable vote bank in Kerala.
“Indians working in Gulf countries must know that they have the full support of this government to ensure their welfare,” he said, listing the efforts made by the governments of these countries based on his “personal requests”.
Mr. Vijayan spoke of “cooperative federalism” and how the centre and Kerala government worked on these projects together.
“This is a happy occasion for us Keralites. A handful of projects are coming to life in our state today. While some are being dedicated to the nation, the foundation stone is being laid for others. Both state and central governments are working together in all these projects,” he said.
Among the projects that the Prime Minister inaugurated was the Cochin Port Trust’s International Cruise Terminal and Cochin Shipyard’s Vigyana Sagar, a campus for Marine Engineering Training Institute.
At the function, he laid the foundation stone of Cochin Port Trust’s South Coal Berth and said these projects covered a wide range of sectors and will boost India’s growth.
