Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and launched a series of major infrastructure, transport, social welfare and scientific initiatives in Kerala, marking a significant development push for the state and the southern region.
The programme was held at Puthirikandom Maidan in Thiruvananthapuram and was attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister of State George Kurian, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor and other dignitaries.
Boosting rail connectivity, the Prime Minister flagged off four new train services—three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train. These include the Nagercoil–Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram and Thiruvananthapuram–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express services, along with a passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur.
The new services are expected to enhance regional and long-distance connectivity across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, while supporting tourism, trade and employment.
As part of efforts to strengthen urban livelihoods, PM Modi launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, an interest-free, UPI-linked revolving credit facility for street vendors. He also disbursed PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, including vendors from Kerala.
In the field of science and innovation, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram, aimed at promoting life sciences, the bio-economy, startups and technology transfer.
Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, he also laid the foundation stone for a Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology and inaugurated the new Poojappura Head Post Office.
