Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the much-awaited Kochi Metro rail in the commercial capital of Kerala on Saturday.
Hailed as India's first integrated multi-mode transport system, the inaugural ceremony of Kerala's first Metro service is being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi.
Prior to the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi took the inaugural ride on the metro train from Palarivattom to Pathadippalam. He was also accompanied by a host of dignitaries including Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, 'Metro man' E. Sreedharan and KMRL MD Elias George, during the inaugural ride.
After the formal inaugural function, PM will attend a Patanjali yoga camp and release a book commemorating 'Reading Day'.
The Prime Minister will also chair a meeting with Chief Minister Vijayan and other cabinet ministers at 1 pm to discuss developmental activities implemented in the state, after which he will return to Delhi.
Work on Kochi Metro began in 2012 after the Oommen Chandy government entrusted the project to Delhi Metro Rail Corp, with its principal advisor Sreedharan overseeing it.
It is also the county’s first fully-integrated metro, which means that with one ticket, a commuter can travel in feeder services along road and water.
