KOCHI, Kerala: Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, inaugurated three significant infrastructure projects valued at over Rs 4,000 crore in Kochi, Kerala.
The major projects include the New Dry Dock (NDD) at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) of CSL, and the LPG Import Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited at Puthuvypeen, Kochi.
Addressing the audience in Kochi following the inauguration, Modi expressed gratitude to the people of Kerala for extending a warm welcome upon his arrival.
“It brought me immense joy to witness the cheerful faces when I landed in Kochi. Thank you for the gracious welcome. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to offer prayers at the Guruvayur Temple in Thrissur,” Modi stated in his address.
“A few days ago, while inaugurating the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, I spoke about four temples associated with Ramayana in Kerala. I am privileged to have offered prayers at Thriprayar Shree Ramaswamy Temple just before the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony in Ayodhya,” he mentioned.
Emphasising the new infrastructure initiatives, Modi highlighted that the central government is working towards enhancing the capacity of coastal cities like Kochi. He further asserted that Kochi is poised to become the next shipbuilding hub of the nation.
“We are making efforts to augment the capacity of ports, fortify port infrastructure, and enhance port connectivity through initiatives such as the Sagarmala Pariyojana,” he added. “In a time when India is emerging as the center of global trade, we are strengthening our maritime capabilities. Soon, we will witness Kochi ascending to the pinnacle of this growth,” Modi outlined.