PM Modi to arrive in Kochi on Thursday; INS Vikrant to be commissioned, new phase of metro will be inaugurated

KOCHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Kochi today for a two-day visit. INS Vikrant, India's indigenously built aircraft carrier, will be commissioned on Friday at 9.30 am. Many dignitaries including Union Ministers, state ministers and high officials will attend the event.

The Prime Minister, who will land at Nedumbassery at 4 pm today, will address a meeting organized by the BJP outside the airport. He will then visit Kaladi Adi Shankara Janmabhoomi temple. Sringeri Math Administrator VR Gauri Shankar will receive him the Purna Kumbh. The first darshan will be at Sri Sarada Sannidhi. He will take part in the Mangalarati at the shrine. The PM will also visit the 'samadhi' of Sreesankar's mother Aryamba and the shrine of Sreeshakti Ganapati.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the new phase of Kochi Metro. The function will be held at Nedumbassery CIAL Convention Centre at 6 pm. He will also inaugurate the second phase of Infopark.

In connection with the Prime Minister's visit, security has been heightened in Kochi. Passengers will not be admitted to the airport between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Restrictions have been imposed on the MC road from Angamaly to Kaladi.