KOCHI, Kerala: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi launched the first water metro in India in Kochi and flagged off Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod. Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone and dedicated projects worth ₹3,200 crore to the nation from the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
The lists of projects unveiled by the Prime Minister include several projects of the Railway Department. Speaking at the launch of first Vande Bharat Express of the southern state of Kerala, the Prime Minister said, “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”.
While speaking about the Kochi Water Metro, the Prime Minister congratulated the Kochi Shipyard for the Made in India project, which will be a model for other states and UTs. Water Metro will operate with eight electric-hybrid boats on two routes in first phase of the project. He remarked that the Water Metro project will allow people to access modern yet affordable means of transport to local population. The move will also provide a boost to backwater tourism in the state.
Arif Mohammed Khan, Governor of Kerala; Pinarayi Vijayan Chief Minister of Kerala; Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railway, Government of India; V Muraleedharan, Minister of State; Dr Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram; and other ministers from the Government of Kerala were present during the launch event.