Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is all set to visit Kerala in the coming week, will pray at the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram on January 15.
Announcing the news to the media, the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan announced that Prime Minister Modi will be arriving at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on January 15.
Union Minister for State for Tourism KJ Alphons said that Modi will pray at the temple between 7pm and 9pm. He will also inaugurate several developmental projects undertaken in the temple complex,according to reports.
This includes all the construction work in the temple complex which was done as part of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Central Government.
Construction of a walkway, renovation of the Padmatheertham pond, bio toilets, bathrooms, installation of safety equipment and other development works done by the central government at an estimated cost of Rs 75.88 crore.
The inaugural ceremony of the renovated Padmanabhaswamy temple will also be attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor P Sathasivam, Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam, Tourism secretary Yogendra Tripathi etc.
During the PM’s one-day visit to Kerala he will also inaugurate the Kollam bypass, a 13 km long road which runs as a bypass in the National Highway 66 to Kollam city. The bypass which links Mevaram and Kavanad in Kollam was built at a cost of Rs 277 crore.
Earlier, there were allegations that inauguration of the bypass was delayed due to political reasons. Reports that Chief Minister Pinarayi will inaugurate the bypass had earlier done the rounds, which led to BJP leaders pitching the idea of the bypass being inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
On January 15, the Prime Minister will travel by helicopter to Kollam and reach around 5:20 pm. The bypass is expected to ease traffic congestion at Kollam.
(With inputs from IANS)