Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and flagged off various developmental projects in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala today. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Shri Modi remarked that the Union Government’s efforts for Kerala’s development have gained new momentum today. He highlighted that rail connectivity in Kerala has been further strengthened and initiatives have been undertaken to transform Thiruvananthapuram into a major startup hub. The Prime Minister stated that from Kerala, a significant nationwide initiative for poor welfare has also begun with the launch of the PM SVANidhi Credit Card. Shri Modi emphasized that this will benefit street vendors, hawkers, and those working on footpaths across the country. He extended his congratulations to the people of Kerala and citizens across the nation for these development and employment-generating initiatives.
Emphasising that the entire nation is united today in its efforts to build a developed India, Shri Modi highlighted that cities have a crucial role in this mission and emphasized that over the past 11 years, the Union Government has made substantial investments in urban infrastructure. PM underlined that Union Government has also undertaken extensive work for poor families living in cities. He stated that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than 4 crore houses have been constructed and provided to the poor across the country, including over 1 crore permanent houses for urban poor. The Prime Minister noted that in Kerala alone, nearly 1.25 lakh urban poor families have received their permanent homes.
Prime Minister highlighted that to reduce electricity expenses for poor families, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has been launched. He remarked that under Ayushman Bharat, poor citizens are receiving free health treatment worth ₹5 lakh, and schemes like the Matru Vandana Yojana have been introduced to ensure the health security of women. Shri Modi emphasized that the Union Government has also exempted income up to ₹12 lakh from tax, which has greatly benefited the middle class and salaried people of Kerala as well.
Shri Modi noted that in the past 11 years, a massive effort has been made to connect crores of citizens to the banking system. The Prime Minister stated that now the poor, SC, ST, OBC communities, women, and fishermen are able to access bank loans easily, with the Union Government itself acting as their guarantor when they lack collateral.
PM further remarked that the condition of street vendors, who earlier struggled to borrow even a few hundred rupees at high interest rates, has been transformed through the PM SVANidhi Scheme. Shri Modi underlined that for the first time, lakhs of street vendors across the country have received loans from banks, bringing them significant support and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
Prime Minister Modi remarked that the Government of India has taken a step further by providing credit cards to street vendors. He highlighted that PM SVANidhi Credit Cards have just been distributed here, including to 10,000 beneficiaries in Kerala and more than 600 in Thiruvananthapuram. The Prime Minister noted that earlier only the wealthy had access to credit cards, but now street vendors too possess the SVANidhi Credit Card.
Shri Modi emphasized that the Union Government is making significant investments in connectivity, science and innovation, and healthcare. He pointed out the inauguration of the CSIR Innovation Hub in Kerala and the launch of a Radio Surgery Centre at the Medical College, which will help establish Kerala as a hub of science, innovation, and healthcare.
The Prime Minister further remarked that Kerala’s rail connectivity has been strengthened with the flagging off of Amrit Bharat Express trains, which will enhance ease of travel and benefit the tourism sector. He added that the new passenger train between Guruvayur and Thrissur will make journeys easier for pilgrims. Shri Modi underlined that all these projects will accelerate Kerala’s development and concluded by stating that a developed Kerala is essential for realizing the dream of a developed India, with the Union Government standing firmly alongside the people of Kerala. He extended his best wishes to all once again.
Governor of Kerala, Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Ministers, Shri V Somanna, Shri George Kurian, Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, Shri V V Rajesh were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
The projects span key sectors including rail connectivity, urban livelihoods, science and innovation, citizen-centric services, and advanced healthcare, reflecting Prime Minister’s continued focus on inclusive growth, technological advancement and improved quality of life for citizens.
In a major boost to rail connectivity, Prime Minister flagged off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train. These 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. The introduction of these services will significantly enhance long-distance and regional connectivity between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, making travel more affordable, safe and time-bound for passengers. The improved connectivity will provide a strong impetus to tourism, trade, education, employment and cultural exchange across the region.
As part of efforts to strengthen urban livelihood, Prime Minister launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, marking the next phase of financial inclusion for street vendors. The UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit facility will provide instant liquidity, promote digital transactions, and help beneficiaries build formal credit histories. Prime Minister also disbursed PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, including street vendors from Kerala. Since its inception in 2020, PM SVANidhi scheme has enabled first-time access to formal credit for a large majority of beneficiaries and has played a critical role in poverty alleviation and livelihood security among urban informal workers.
In the field of science and innovation, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram. The hub will focus on life sciences and the bio-economy, integrate traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda with modern biotechnology, sustainable packaging, and green hydrogen, and promote startup creation, technology transfer, and global collaboration. It will serve as a platform for converting research into market-ready solutions and enterprises.
Strengthening healthcare infrastructure will be another key focus of the visit. 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 in Thiruvananthapuram. The facility will provide highly precise, minimally invasive treatment for complex brain disorders, enhancing regional tertiary healthcare capabilities.
Prime Minister also inaugurated the new Poojappura Head Post Office in Thiruvananthapuram. This modern, technology-enabled facility will offer a comprehensive range of postal, banking, insurance and digital services, further strengthening citizen-centric service delivery.
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आज केरला के विकास के लिए केंद्र सरकार के प्रयासों को नई गति मिली है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 23, 2026
आज से केरला में rail connectivity और सशक्त हुई है।
तिरुवनंतपुरम को देश का बड़ा startup hub बनाने के लिए पहल हुई है: PM @narendramodi
आज केरला से, पूरे देश के लिए गरीब कल्याण से जुड़ी एक बड़ी शुरुआत भी हो रही है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 23, 2026
आज पीएम स्वनिधि क्रेडिट कार्ड, लॉन्च किया गया है।
इससे देशभर के रेहड़ी-ठेले, फुटपाथ पर काम करने वाले साथियों को लाभ होगा: PM @narendramodi
विकसित भारत के निर्माण में हमारे शहरों की बहुत बड़ी भूमिका है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 23, 2026
बीते 11 वर्षों से, केंद्र सरकार urban infrastructure पर बहुत निवेश कर रही है: PM @narendramodi
