Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the government focuses on cooperative federalism and considers the development of states as the development of the country.
“We are working with a service-oriented approach. The nation can progress at a faster rate only if Kerala progresses”, he remarked.
Addressing the people at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Modi said that the hard work and politeness of Kerala people give them a unique identity and they are capable of understanding the global scenario and appreciate how India is being considered a vibrant spot of development amidst difficult times and the promise of India’s development is being acknowledged globally.
Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various development projects worth over Rs 3200 crores at Central Stadium in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram.
The projects include the dedication of the Kochi Water Metro to the people, laying the foundation stone of various rail projects and the Digital Science Park here.
Earlier in the day, the PM flagged off Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod.
The PM credited the trust shown by the world towards India to a decisive government at the Center that takes quick and firm decisions for the welfare of the country, and the unprecedented investment made in strengthening and modernizing the infrastructure.
He said one of the reasons for the growing stature of the country is due to the outreach efforts of the central government which has benefited the Keralites who live abroad.
The PM said that in the last 9 years, work on connectivity infrastructure has been undertaken at an unprecedented speed and scale. He informed that in this year’s budget also, it is proposed to spend more than 10 lakh crore on infrastructure. “The public transport and logistics sector is being completely transformed in the country. We are moving towards the golden age of Indian railways”, he said.
Modi said that all the Vande Bharat trains, so far are connecting places of cultural, spiritual and tourism importance. “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 said.
The PM elaborated that the effort is to provide made in India solutions as per local needs with regard to infrastructure. He listed solutions like a semi-hybrid train, Regional Rapid Transport System, Ro-Ro ferry, and ropeway to illustrate situation-specific solutions for connectivity.
Modi also underscored the indigenous origins of Made in India Vande Bharat and Metro coaches. He also mentioned projects like Metro-Lite and urban ropeways in smaller cities.
The PM underlined that the Kochi Water Metro is a Made in India project and congratulated the Kochi Shipyard for the development of ports for the same. He stated that the Kochi Water Metro will make modern and cheap means of transport accessible for the people living in the nearby islets of Kochi while also providing intermodal connectivity between the bus terminal and the metro network.
The PM further added that it will benefit backwater tourism in the state apart from easing the traffic congestion in the city.
The PM reiterated that along with physical connectivity, digital connectivity too is the country’s priority. He said projects like Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram will give a fillip to Digital India.
