Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Kollam Bypass on NH-66 in Kollam, Kerala in the presence of Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan and other dignitaries. He also addressed the gathering after inaugurating the bypass. The 13 km bypass was proposed to be built around 43 years ago but kept getting delayed for various reasons. It is a two-lane bypass built at a cost of 352 crores connecting Mevaram to Kavanad in the Kollam district.
The 13 km Kollam bypass project was delayed for 43 years.
In 2015, Modi government took note of this project and completed it in 4 years. pic.twitter.com/7ySJ8Npl5G
— BJP (@BJP4India) January 15, 2019
The Prime Minister expressed surprise over infrastructure projects being stalled for decades. “I was surprised to see that some projects are delayed by 20 to 30 years. Till now, I have reviewed more than 250 projects worth approximately 12 lakh crore rupees under PRAGATI“, he said. PM Modi in his address said, “When we construct roads and bridges, we do not only connect towns and villages. We also connect aspirations with achievements, optimism with opportunities and hope with happiness”. He talked about how under his government the percentage of rural habitations connected with roads increased from 56% to more than 90%. He announced that his government will sanction Rs 7,500 crore for the fisheries sector.
Modi concluded his address at the Kollam bypass inauguration with a local saying which goes “once in Kollam, one never misses home”. He said that he shares the same feeling and that he will seek the blessings of Lord Padmanabhaswamy in Thiruvananthapuram, where he will be inaugurating another project, for the welfare of the people of Kerala as well as other parts of the country.
Thereafter Modi addressed a public meeting at Kollam. He reminded the people of his previous visits to Kollam, one in December 2015 to unveil the statue of R Shankar and the other in April 2016 after a fire tragedy occurred in the city.
Speaking about the achievements of his government in the last four years, he said that India has made the transition from being one of the fragile five nations to being one of the fastest growing economies in the world. He told how India shot up to rank 77 in terms of ease of doing business from rank 100. When it comes to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), India has surpassed China in attracting FDI in the last four years.
Talking about the progress made in the field of mobile manufacturing, Modi said the number of mobile manufacturing units in the country has gone up from 2 units to over 27 units. Apart from that India is home to the biggest startup ecosystem in the world as claimed by the Prime Minister. Modi praised his government for the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme which he claimed is world’s largest health care program, serving more than 50 crore people which is more than the combined population of America, Mexico and Canada. “India is daring to dream and dreaming to dare”, he said.
Launching a scathing attack on the Left government in the State in the light of the recent events Modi said that the Kerala of spirituality and tranquillity, the Kerala of harmony and happiness has become hostage to the corruption and communalism of two alliances, the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front. Attacking the LDF government for its handling of the Sabarimala issue he said, “The conduct of Kerala government on the Sabarimala issue will go down in history as one of the most sinful behaviours by any party in government. We knew communists do not respect Indian history, culture and spirituality but we did not know they would have such hatred”.
Prime Minister Modi tears into Communists and Congress on the Sabarimala issue… #AyyanteNattilModi pic.twitter.com/0Z60HJKnKg
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 15, 2019
He did not spare the Congress-led United Democratic Front saying that the UDF is no different as the Congress says one thing in parliament and another in Pathanamthitta. He challenged the UDF to clear their stand on the issue of Sabarimala. Modi accused the UDF and the LDF making tall claims about gender justice while they oppose the Triple Talaq Bill in the Parliament that ends the discriminatory practice of triple talaq which has been banned by many Islamic nations.
Modi blamed the Congress for the plight of farmers in the state of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan where the BJP went out of power in the recent Assembly elections. He targeted the UDF and the LDF government for doing nothing for the cashew farmer in Kerala. He promised that the BJP government will focus on the cashew industry.
Praising his government for conducting successful rescue operations and bringing the nurses of Kerala back home safely from conflict-ridden countries including the rescue of father Tom from Yemen, Modi said that his government will leave no stone unturned to fulfil the dreams of and built a strong, prosperous and inclusive India.
