Bengaluru: A short stretch of a highway has become the unlikely arena of a Left-Right tussle as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit Kerala on Tuesday to fire up the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) election guns in a state that is already a battlefield. Modi’s visit, coming just a day after the end of the annual pilgrimage at Sabarimala temple, aims to assert his image as a man of development in Kerala, a state known for its high development indicators. He will inaugurate a 13-km stretch on a national highway in Kollam district. Originally, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was to have inaugurated the stretch, but then the central government sent a note to the state saying Modi will attend the inauguration, said an official aware of the development. In response, the communist government has started a campaign to showcase Vijayan as the man who speeded up the project and stop Modi from reaping political mileage. “Tomorrow, Kollam bypass will be dedicated to the nation. For Kollam, it is a long-cherished dream come true. When this Govt assumed office, only 23% of the works were in finished state. We kept our word of completing it in 1,000 days, and finished the remaining 76% in 2.5 years," tweeted Vijayan on Monday. In tandem, a note on the official www.narendramodi.in website said: “The state of Kerala had 1,782 km of National Highways till May 2018. This length has gone up to more than 2,280 km including the in principal NH... Some of the landmark ongoing National Highways projects in the state include the Thiruvananthapuram Bypass, Thalassery-Mahe Bypass, Kuthiran Tunnel along Wadakkanchery–Thrissur section of NH-544, Alappuzha bypass on NH-66. These projects, on completion, will create new socio-economic opportunities for the people and boost trade and tourism in this region," the note said. The visit seems to be more than an official event for Modi. It is part of an ambitious expansion plan by the BJP in a state where it has never won a parliamentary seat. As part of these plans, it has sharpened attacks on the communists and Vijayan over the Sabarimala temple issue, according to a state BJP leader, who requested anonymity. Sabarimala has become the fulcrum of a right-wing agitation against allowing women of menstruating age to enter the temple, even though the Supreme Court has annulled the ban. The entry of two women earlier in January, enabled by the government, resulted in violence and street clashes. This is Modi’s first visit to Kerala since the Sabarimala controversy. He will be followed by BJP president Amit Shah later this month, said the state unit leader. The choice of the constituencies picked for Modi’s visit is instructive. Modi will arrive in Thiruvananthapuram and visit the city’s famous Padmanabhaswamy temple in the morning, where he is likely to unveil a plaque. He will then proceed to Kollam, to inaugurate a 13-km two-lane bypass on National Highway 66, which will cut travel time between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, and decongest traffic in Kollam town. Modi will then address a political rally of BJP workers from three constituencies—Kollam, Alappuzha and Mavelikkara. These constituencies have the highest concentration of upper caste Nairs, who have been irked by the Left government’s anti-ban stand, and warmed up to the BJP. The BJP expects the support of Nairs to give it a 2-3% increase in vote share in at least 7-8 constituencies. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.<doc-sep>By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in the state on Tuesday for a one-day visit. He will launch the Kollam bypass, inaugurate the Swadesh Darshan Project at Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple and also the klick-start the NDA’s election campaign in Kerala. Security has been tightened in the two districts in view of it. Governor P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as well as ministers and other senior government officials will receive the PM who will reach the Trivandrum International Airport’s technical area at 4 pm.<doc-sep>PM Modi in Kerala LIVE: 'Ease of living for people is the commitment of BJP govt' Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated Balangir-Bichhupali railway line in Odisha. The railway line has been built at a cost of Rs 115 crore. PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for permanent building of Kendriya Vidyalaya at Sonepur in Odisha. The building will be constructed at an investment of Rs 15.81 crore. The prime minister also inaugurated renovation and restoration works of Nilamadhav and Siddheswar Temple in Odisha's Boudh district. The prime minister also dedicated to the nation a Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Jharsuguda. The MMLP has been constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore and will facilitate export-import and domestic cargo including, private freight traffic. It is located adjacent to the Howrah-Mumbai line which is 5 km from Jharsuguda railway station. Many important industries including steel, cement, paper are located around the facility and will benefit from it. The 15 km Balangir-Bichupali new railway line would connect coastal Odisha with the western parts of the state synchronising development across the state, the statement said. It will reduce travel time from Bhubaneswar and Puri to major cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. The line would also benefit many small, medium and cottage industries in Odisha and open up opportunities for the mining sector in the state. The prime minister also dedicated to the nation electrification of 813 km of Jharsuguda-Vizinagaram and Sambalpur-Angul lines done at a cost of Rs 1,085 crore. It will ensure seamless rail connectivity on the line. He also dedicated the doubling of 13.5 km Barpali-Dungaripali and Balangir-Deogaon road line. The doubling of the line will boost industrial capacity in Odisha. Later the day, PM Modi arrived in Kollam, Kerala and laid the fpundation stone of Kollam Bypass on National Highway 66. It is a 13 km-long two-lane bypass, and includes three major bridges over the Ashtamudi lake. The project will cut travel time between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, and will also decongest traffic in Kollam town. Later he will travel to Thiruvanathapuram, where he will visit the Padmanabhaswamy temple and is likely to unveil a plaque to mark the launch of visitor facilities there. PM Modi in Kerala LIVE WATCH VIDEO: 07:50 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Swadeshi Darshan Scheme at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Kerala Governor Palanisamy Sathasivam, CM Pinarayi Vijayan, and Shashi Tharoor also present. 6:38 pm: We will leave no stone unturned to fulfil people's dreams and build a strong, prosperous and inclusive India: PM Modi 6:36 pm: I will do everything I can for each and every Indian: PM Modi 6:31 pm: In every sphere of Government, the BJP-led NDA government has made significant effort to bring transformation, says PM Modi. 6:25 pm: UDF opposed the triple talaq bill in Parliament, says PM Modi. 6:22 pm: A few days ago, our Government had the historic opportunity to pass a legislation that gives 10% quota to poor people from the General Category. We believe that every Indian, irrespective of caste, creed or community deserves equal opportunity: PM Modi 6:20 pm: Triple Talaq is great injustice to women. Several Islamic nations have banned it. Why should India have such a practice?, asks PM 6:18 pm: The NDA Government has been working towards abolishing Triple Talaq but the Congress is creating obstruction, says PM Modi. 6:16 pm: We knew that the Communists do not respect Indian history, culture and spirituality. But nobody imagined, they would have such hatred. The UDF is no better! The Congress has multiple stands - they say one thing in Parliament but a different thing in Pathanamthitta: PM Modi 6:14 pm: "On one hand, the NDA Govt at the Centre is working day and night for the people of Kerala. But, it pains me no end that the Kerala of spirituality & tranquility, the Kerala of harmony & happiness has become hostage to corruption & communalism of two alliances - LDF & UDF," says PM Modi. 5:26 pm: I pray for a strong and developed Kerala 5:25 pm: When we formed government, only 56% of rural habitations were connected by a road. Today more than 90% of rural habitations are connected by a road. I am sure that we will definitely achieve the target of 100% soon 5:22 pm: India ranks 3 in WTTC Travel & Tourism Power and Performance ranking 5:17 pm: We do not only connect towns and villages, but we also connect aspirations with achievements, optimism with opportunity and hope with happiness. My commitment is for the development of every countrymen. 5:15 pm: Our government has mainly focused on construction of highways, airways and waterways. 5:11 pm: Ease of living for the people is the commitment of our government. We believe in 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas': PM Modi. 5:10 pm: PM Modi inaugurates Kollam Bypass on National Highway 66. 4:55 pm: In Kerala, the prime minister will inaugurate the Kollam bypass on National Highway 66. It is a 13 km-long two-lane bypass, and includes three major bridges over the Ashtamudi lake. The project will cut travel time between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, and will also decongest traffic in Kollam town. In Thiruvananthapuram, Modi will visit the Padmanabhaswamy temple and is likely to unveil a plaque to mark the launch of visitor facilities there. This will be the third official visit of the prime minister to Kollam. His first visit to the city was in December 2015, when he unveiled the statue of R Sankar. The prime minister also visited Kollam in April 2016, hours after a fire tragedy. 4:50 pm: Kerala: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan felicitates Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kollam. PM Modi in Odisha highlights 12:01 pm: Every institution across the world says India is going to progress at a good pace in future: PM Modi 11:55 am: Yoga is India's asset, but some people opposing International Yoga Day: PM Modi 11:45 am: Central govt has made changes in mining laws keeping in mind the interest of adivasis. A distrci mineral fund has been set up for the benefit of the residents of the states where mining takes place. 11:40 am: Central govt sanctioned railway projects worth Rs 20,000 crore for Odisha in last 4.5 years: PM Modi 11:32 pm: Efforts are being made to bring back ancient statues stolen from India: PM Modi 11:27 am: Our civilisation is one of oldest civilisations of the world, says PM Modi 11:20 am: Odisha is the land of sun god. The light emanating from Konark has been illuminating India for centuries: PM Modi 11:16 am: PM Modi begins his speech at Balangir Latest India News<doc-sep>
PM Modi's visit comes a day after the annual ''Makaravilakku'' festival at Sabarimala temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala today to inaugurate a road project in the state. The 13-km Kollam bypass on the National Highway 66 - built at a cost of Rs 352 crore - is expected to reduce travel time between state capital Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha, a distance of 150 kms. The prime minister's visit comes a day after the annual ''Makaravilakku'' festival at Sabarimala temple, which has kept the southern state in national news after the Supreme Court allowed the entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 to the hill shrine in September. PM Modi's party, the BJP, along with the Congress, has supported protests against the top court order, accusing the state's Left government of ignoring public sentiment while implementing the top court order. Schedule of PM Shri @narendramodi's public programs in Kerala tomorrow. Watch LIVE on ‘Narendra Modi App' and digital platforms of @BJP4India. pic.twitter.com/GUdLnskuO5 - BJP (@BJP4India) January 14, 2019 PM Modi, in an interview to news agency ANI, clarified that his party's protest against the Supreme Court verdict on the Sabarimala issue was based on "tradition". It will be the third official visit of the Prime Minister to Kollam. His first visit to the city was in December 2015, when he unveiled the statue of former Chief Minister of Kerala R. Sankar, and later he paid a visit in April 2016 after a fire tragedy. Later in the day, the prime minister will visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, where he is likely to unveil a plaque to mark the launch of some visitor facilities. With inputs from IANS