Indian PM inaugurates and lays foundation of projects in Kerala and TN

Also hands over Main Battle Tank Arjun (MK-1A) to the Indian Army

Kochi, Chennai, Feb 15: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday inaugurated and laid foundation stone of several key projects in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Here are the key updates:

Kerala:

1. The PM inaugurated Propylene Derivative Petrochemical Project (PDPP), a Make-in-Indiainitiative of Bharat Petroleum Chemical Limited (BPCL) in Kochi. Built at Rs. 6000 crores and set up at the Kochi Refinery, the project will produce chemicals like Acrylates, Acrylic Acid, and Oxy- Alcohol, used predominantly in industries such as paints, adhesives, coatings, water treatments and solvents. Currently, India imports these chemicals and with the commissioning of the project, she would save Rs. 4500 crores per annum.
2. The PM also inaugurated 2 Ro-Ro (Roll-on Roll-off) vessels at Wellington Islands.These heavy- duty waterway vessels have the capacity to carry six 20-feet trucks, six 20-feet trailer trucks, three 40-feet trailer trucks and 30 passenger vehicles each. This will help in reduced transportation cost and transit time, and less congestion on roads.
3. The PM inaugurated ‘Sagarika’, a state-of-the-art International Cruise Terminal at Cochin Port.
4. He also inaugurated a premier Maritime Learning Centre, Marine Engineering Training Institute, Vigyana Sagar, at Cochin Shipyards to provide 114 fresh graduates training facilities on variousvehicles under construction and repair.
5. The PM laid the foundation stone of South Coal Berth at Cochin Port to ensure quick and efficient handling of cargo (mostly chemicals).

Tamil Nadu:

1. The PM inaugurated 9.5 km long Chennai Metro-Rail Phase 1. This will link north Chennai withthe airport and Central Railway Station. He also inaugurated 22.1 km long fourth railway linebetween Chennai Beach and Attipattu.
2. The PM also inaugurated complete railway electrification of single line between Villupuram andThiruvarur. This will help in saving Rs. 14.61 lakh per day on fuel costs.
3. The PM handed over the Main Battle Tank Arjun(MK-1A)to the Indian Army. MK-1A is a product of Make-in-India initiative, designed, developed, and manufactured by CVRDE (Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishment), DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization), 15 academic institutes, 8 labs, and various MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). The tanks feature increased mobility and fighting capabilities.

4. The PM laid the foundation for the extension, renovation, and modernization of the Grand Anicut Canal System. The canal is important for the irrigation purposes of the villages situated near the Cauvery delta. It will also increase the water carrying capacity of the canal.

5. The PM also laid the foundation of a new 2 lakh sqm Discovery Campus at IIT-Madras.