THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated Kollam bypass on Tuesday evening. The inauguration ceremony occurred at Aasramam ground, where he lighted the lamp and inaugurated the road. People welcomed him by chanting ‘saranam’. Modi started his speech by saying “my dear brothers and sisters” in Malayalam.

“I am very happy to be in Kerala. The government hopes to have development in every field for every people. The government is responsible for the development of people. I congratulate the state government for implementing Kollam bypass”, said Modi.

The bypass, by now popularly called the Kollam bypass, is a two-lane, 13 km stretch built at a cost of Rs 352 crores from Mevaram to Kavanad in Kollam district of the state. With the inauguration of the bypass, people travelling on the National Highway 66 from Kochi and Alappuzha can proceed towards Thiruvananthapuram without entering Kollam town.

“Central government has given sufficient financial aid for Kerala. It should be properly utilized. India is pioneering in the field of tourism. We are at the top of the world rankings. E-Visa has helped us a lot”, he said.

Modi ended the speech by saying “Kollam kandavanu illam venda”.