Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kochi on Wednesday to participate in a series of programmes, including the launch of major development projects and the formal start of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) campaign for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.
The Prime Minister landed at Cochin International Airport around 11:45 am and later travelled by helicopter to INS Garuda Naval Air Station. From there, he proceeded by road to Marine Drive in Kochi to attend the Suvarna Jubilee celebrations of the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha, a community organisation representing fishermen, where he addressed the gathering.
Later in the afternoon, Modi is scheduled to reach Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi, at around 1:15 pm, where he will inaugurate and dedicate to the nation several development projects related to railways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
Among the key initiatives, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a polypropylene plant at the BPCL Kochi Refinery, involving an investment of around ₹5,500 crore.
He will also inaugurate six-laning works on National Highway 66, including the Thalapady–Chengala stretch and the Vengalam–Ramanattukara stretch of the Kozhikode bypass.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Modi will inaugurate 23 rural roads constructed across Kerala.
As part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, redeveloped railway stations at Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram, and Changanassery will be dedicated to the nation.
The electrification of the Shoranur–Nilambur railway section will also be inaugurated, and the Prime Minister will flag off new Amrit Bharat Express trains.
At around 2:15 pm, Modi will address a large NDA rally at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, formally launching the alliance’s campaign for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. During the rally, he is also expected to release the NDA’s election manifesto.
After completing the programmes in Kochi, the Prime Minister is scheduled to return to the naval base and then fly back by helicopter to the airport, from where he will depart for Tiruchirappalli at around 3:20 pm.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s visit has prompted extensive traffic restrictions and diversions across Kochi. Authorities have imposed vehicle movement controls and parking restrictions around key locations, including Kaloor Stadium, Marine Drive and airport routes.
The Kerala Police have advised residents to undertake only essential travel and urged passengers heading to airports or railway stations in Ernakulam to start early to avoid delays.
Officials have also recommended the Kochi Metro as an alternative mode of transport to ease congestion caused by large crowds attending the events.
With input from UNI.