Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], January 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off four new trains, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train, while also laying the foundation stone and inaugurating various developmental projects in Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram.
Addressing a public gathering as the state heads into Assembly election mode, PM Modi began with the traditional greeting “Namaskaram!” and congratulated P P Rajesh, sworn in as Mayor after the BJP came to power in the city’s municipal elections for the first time. He highlighted the central government’s efforts to boost Kerala’s development and strengthen rail connectivity. The Prime Minister also emphasized initiatives to position Thiruvananthapuram as a startup hub.
He launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card and disbursed PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, noting, “A new beginning is also happening from Kerala for the entire country for the welfare of the poor. PM SVANidhi Credit Card has been launched today.” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar were also present.
The new train services include the Nagercoil-Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, and a new passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur. These additions are expected to enhance long-distance and regional connectivity across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, improving travel affordability, safety, and efficiency while promoting tourism, trade, education, employment, and cultural exchange.
In urban livelihood initiatives, the Prime Minister launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, a UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit facility for street vendors. The scheme aims to provide instant liquidity, promote digital transactions, and help beneficiaries build formal credit histories. Since its inception in 2020, PM SVANidhi has supported first-time access to formal credit for many and played a critical role in poverty alleviation and livelihood security among urban informal workers.
In science and innovation, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram. The hub will focus on life sciences, the bio-economy, and integrate traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda with modern biotechnology, sustainable packaging, and green hydrogen. It will also promote startup creation, technology transfer, and global collaboration, serving as a platform to convert research into market-ready solutions.
Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology. The facility will offer highly precise, minimally invasive treatments for complex brain disorders, enhancing regional tertiary healthcare capabilities.
Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated the new Poojappura Head Post Office, a modern, technology-enabled facility offering postal, banking, insurance, and digital services, further strengthening citizen-centric service delivery. (ANI)
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