Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 (IANS) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Thiruvananthapuram to inaugurate and launch a series of major development projects, describing the occasion as a “cherished moment of satisfaction” for Kerala.

Welcoming the Prime Minister at the official function, the Chief Minister also greeted dignitaries on the dais, including Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh, Union Minister of State George Kurian, Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh, MP Shashi Tharoor, former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, senior officials and beneficiaries of various welfare schemes.

CM Vijayan said the Prime Minister’s visit to Kerala to inaugurate and dedicate multiple projects would go a long way in accelerating the state’s development.

He highlighted the laying of the foundation stone for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub, the inauguration of the new Poojappura Head Post Office building, and the launch of the PM SVANidhi scheme benefiting one lakh street vendors.

The Chief Minister noted that the function also included the handing over of credit cards and loan disbursement cheques to beneficiaries under the scheme.

The Chief Minister further pointed to the flagging off of three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train by the Prime Minister, describing the new rail services as being of “great significance” to Kerala in terms of connectivity and economic activity.

“This is a cherished moment of satisfaction to the state government, as we have been consistently seeking the Union government’s green signal for many of these projects,” CM Vijayan said, expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for clearing them.

He voiced hope that the Centre’s “concern and goodwill” towards Kerala would continue in the future as well, and that the state’s genuine demands in other sectors would also be addressed in due course.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the Prime Minister would ensure the implementation of such projects in a time-bound manner.

Concluding his address, CM Vijayan once again welcomed Prime Minister Modi on behalf of the state and on his own behalf, setting a tone of cooperative federalism at a programme that marked a significant development milestone for Kerala.

–IANS

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