Prime Minister inaugurates highways, railway stations and refinery unit during Kochi visit
March 11, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over ₹10,000 crore during his visit to Kerala. The projects, launched in Kochi, involve several central ministries including the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Railways. Among the key initiatives was the foundation stone for a ₹5,500-crore Polypropylene unit at the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited refinery.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated two major highway projects — the six-laning of the Thalapady-Chengala section of National Highway 66 built at a cost of over ₹2,650 crore and the Kozhikode Bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara costing around ₹2,140 crore. According to Modi, the projects will ease traffic congestion in Kozhikode, improve connectivity to Azhikkal Port and benefit farmers as well as tourism in the region.
During the programme, the Prime Minister also flagged off a new train service and inaugurated three redeveloped railway stations — Shoranur Junction railway station, Kuttippuram railway station and Changanassery railway station — upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. He also inaugurated 23 rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and laid the foundation for a 50 MW floating solar project in West Kallada, emphasising that expanding clean energy and infrastructure is crucial for building an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.