PM dedicates Kollam bypass, Kerala to the Nation; also launches development projects worth over Rs 1,500 cr in Odisha

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National News

Jan 15, 2019

9:18PM

PM dedicates Kollam bypass, Kerala to the Nation; also launches development projects worth over Rs 1,500 cr in Odisha

PIB

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that his Government is committed to provide road connectivity to all the rural habitations in the country. He said 90 percent of the rural habitations are now connected by road. He was addressing a gathering at Kollam in Kerala after dedicating the Kollam Bypass to the Nation.

The Prime Minister said that the last man in the queue is his Government's concern.
The Prime Minister urged the Kerala Government to expedite implementation of various centrally-sponsored projects in the State.
AIR correspondent reports that the Kollam Bypass on the National Highway-66 considerably reduces travel time between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, besides avoiding traffic congestion in Kollam town. Notably, this is the first National Highway project in the country taken up on a 50:50 Centre-State partnership.

The 13-kilometre-long two-lane bypass is constructed at a cost of 352 crore rupees. It has three major bridges over the Ashtamudi lake, having a total length of 1540 metres and an underpass.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a plaque launching the completion of several developmental projects undertaken in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple complex in Thiruvananthapuram under Swadeshi Darshan scheme. Later, Prime minister also offered prayers at the temple.

The project is part of the union Tourism Ministry’s 92.44-crore spiritual circuit involving Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Sree Parthasarthy Temple, Aranmula, and the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Under this various infrastructure facilities were developed in Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple including a 5.2-km heritage walk corridor, renovation of the Padmatheertham pond, bio toilets, bathrooms, installation of safety equipment, a tourist information centre, storm water drains and other development works which were done by the central government at a cost of 75.88 crore.

Later speaking at a public meeting at the Cantonment Ground in Kollam, Mr. Modi criticized the CPI(M)-led LDF Government and the Congress-led opposition in Kerala for playing vote bank politics and for their negative stand on important initiatives like the Bill on Triple talaq. He said the indifferent stand adopted by the LDF Government on the Sabarimala issue is part of history. Mr. Modi added that the Communists have scant regard for the cultural heritage of the country. Mr. Modi said, if voted to power in Kerala, his Government will give top priority to revive the cashew sector in the State.

Earlier in the day, Mr Modi launched and laid foundation stone of several development projects, worth over 1,500 crore rupees, at Balangir in Odisha . Mr Modi dedicated to the nation electrification of Jharsuguda-Vizianagaram and Sambalpur-Angul lines spanning 813 kilometres completed at a cost of around 1,000 crores. Prime Minister also inaugurated the doubling of Barpali-Dungaripali and Balangir-Deogaon railway lines. He also inaugurated the 15 km-long Balangir-Bichhupali railway line. Later, addressing a public meeting, Mr Modi said, his government has taken five steps for the overall development of the country.

The Prime Minister said, his government has taken five steps for the overall development of the country. These, he said, are education for children, employment for youth, medicine for old people, irrigation for farmers and public hearing for common people.

Mr Modi said, another aspect has been added to this and that is 10 percent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections of general category in education and jobs.