Modi launches Kochi Metro service
KOCHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kochi Metro on Saturday, dedicating the country’s first fully integrated mass transport network completed in record time to the nation.
Modi said foreign investment will be invited to India in a big way to improve public transport system and 50 more cities will be added to the metro map soon.
He lauded the new metro for inducting a large number of women and members of the third gender in the workforce.
“Nearly 1,000 women and 23 transgenders are working in the metro. It is a noteworthy aspect of the new project,” he said, adding that his Make in India vision reflected well in the train’s coaches.
“Coaches have been built by Altosm of France at their factory near Chennai and have an Indian component of around 70%,” he said. Before the inaugural cerea mony, he took a 15-minute ride in the metro with governor P Sathasivam, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and ‘Metro Man’ E Sreedharan.
People lined up in large numbers on both sides of the elevated track to greet Modi.
“The new metro is part of the government’s focus on boosting overall infrastructure development, which will contribute to the nation’s growth,” he said.
“There is a need to bring about paradigm shift in urban planning by adopting a people-centric approach. We are also focusing on next-generation infrastructure, which includes logistics, digital and gas,” he said.
The metro will open to public on Monday. On Sunday, the trains will carry 500-odd special children and inmates of old age homes and orphanages around Kochi city.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister addressed a meet in St Teresa’s College to mark ‘reading month’ and urged all to present a book instead of a bouquet.
“There can be no joy greater than reading and no strength greater than knowledge. Kerala has been an inspiration for the nation on this and it can take the lead,” he said, recalling the services of library movement doyen PN Panicker.
“I believe in people’s power... Together, we can once again make India a land of knowledge and wisdom,” he said.
Some controversies also surfaced during the PM’s visit. Many Congress and CPI(M) leaders questioned the presence of BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan during the run. In fact, many, including Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, local legislator PT Thomas and others were not included in the list. Later, the CM’s office clarified that Rajasekharan’s name was not on the list.
However, BJP leaders claimed SPG officials included his name at the eleventh hour.