Ernakulam, Kerala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering in Kochi on Wednesday while inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for development projects worth around ₹11,000 crore aimed at accelerating growth in Kerala.
Speaking at the event in Kochi, the Prime Minister said the initiatives would strengthen infrastructure, energy capacity, and industrial development in the state, while creating new employment opportunities for thousands of young people.
Polypropylene Unit at Kochi Refinery
A key highlight of the programme was the foundation stone laying for a polypropylene unit at the Kochi Refinery. According to the Prime Minister, the facility will produce around four lakh tonnes of polypropylene annually.
He noted that the plant will support multiple sectors including:
Packaging
Textile manufacturing
Automobile production
Medical devices
The project is part of the government’s broader push to strengthen the petroleum and manufacturing sectors under the Make in India initiative and contribute to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Floating Solar Project to Boost Green Energy
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a 50-megawatt floating solar power project at West Kallada, highlighting India’s growing leadership in solar energy.
He said the project would help expand renewable power generation in Kerala, noting that the state’s numerous water bodies provide strong potential for floating solar installations.
India, he added, has emerged as one of the world’s leading solar power producers and continues to expand its clean energy capacity to meet the rising demand from emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing.
Railway and Connectivity Improvements
The Prime Minister also highlighted several railway infrastructure improvements in the state under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Under the programme:
Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram Railway Station and Changanassery Railway Station have been modernised.
Electrification of a major section of the Shoranur–Nilambur rail line has been completed.
A new Palakkad–Pollachi train service has been launched, improving connectivity between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Road Projects to Improve Logistics and Tourism
Several road projects were also launched during the event, including a six-lane road to improve connectivity to Azhikkal Port and the six-lane Kozhikode bypass, which is expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce travel time.
