Thiruvananthapurm, May 23 (UNI) Forty highway projects worth Rs 65,000 crore are underway in Kerala, BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said.

Kerala’s highway network has seen a phenomenal growth over the decade, expanding from around 60,000 km to over 1.5 lakh km, the BJP chief said.

Responding to the collapse of the under-construction six-lane NH66 in 3 places in Kerala, he said, "I spoke over the phone with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. I conveyed the concerns in detail, and he assured me that a permanent solution will be made soon. He has also invited me to Delhi for further discussions."

He also clarified that Gadkari assured him that any lapses in quality, safety or implementation would not be tolerated, and accountability would be fixed.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support for creating robust infrastructure for 'VikasitaKeralam,' he said Modi has become the standard response from the people of Kerala for every major project being executed in the state by the Modi-led government.

Despite Kerala sending only one BJP MP to Parliament, Modi has been firmly supportive of the state’s infrastructure development, he said.

"Be it Vizhinjam Port, railways or highways, if there is any significant infrastructure development that is happening in Kerala, it is 100% because of Narendra Modi. There's no other development happening because of our state government.

"We are deeply grateful that Modi has included Chirayinkeezhu and Vadakara railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Scheme and ensured their modernization," he added.

UNI DS PRS