Kerala | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and flagged off a series of major development projects in Thiruvananthapuram, marking a significant push towards strengthening Kerala’s infrastructure, urban livelihoods, scientific innovation, and healthcare systems.
Addressing a public gathering, the Prime Minister stated that the Union Government’s development initiatives in Kerala have gained fresh momentum, with focused investments in rail connectivity, startup ecosystems, and citizen-centric welfare schemes. He underlined that cities will play a decisive role in achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
Major Boost to Rail Connectivity
As part of efforts to improve regional and inter-state mobility, the Prime Minister flagged off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train. These include:
- Nagercoil–Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express
- Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express
- Thiruvananthapuram–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express
- Thrissur–Guruvayur Passenger Train
These new services are expected to significantly enhance connectivity between Kerala and neighbouring states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, providing a boost to tourism, trade, education and employment.
PM SVANidhi Credit Card Launched
In a major step towards urban livelihood security, Prime Minister Modi launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, extending interest-free, UPI-linked revolving credit facilities to street vendors. During the event, credit cards were distributed to over 10,000 beneficiaries in Kerala, including more than 600 vendors in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the scheme enables street vendors, hawkers and footpath workers to access formal credit, build digital transaction histories, and improve financial resilience—marking a crucial milestone in inclusive urban development.
New Push for Science, Innovation and Healthcare
Reinforcing Kerala’s role as an emerging knowledge and innovation hub, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the CSIR–NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub. The facility will focus on life sciences, bio-economy, sustainable materials, green hydrogen, and integration of traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda with modern biotechnology.
In the healthcare sector, the foundation stone was laid for a state-of-the-art Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, aimed at providing highly precise, minimally invasive treatment for complex neurological disorders.
Urban Services and Welfare Initiatives
Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the new Poojappura Head Post Office, a modern, technology-enabled facility offering postal, banking, insurance, and digital services. Highlighting urban welfare, he noted that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, over 1.25 lakh urban poor families in Kerala have received permanent homes.
The Prime Minister reiterated the Centre’s commitment to reducing household expenses through initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and ensuring health security via Ayushman Bharat, which provides free treatment of up to ₹5 lakh for eligible beneficiaries.
A Vision for Developed Kerala
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi stated that a developed Kerala is essential to achieving a developed India. He affirmed that the Union Government will continue to work closely with the state to accelerate growth, improve quality of life, and generate employment opportunities.
The event was attended by Rajendra Arlekar, Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Ministers, and senior state officials.
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