“Kerala’s Development Has Gained New Momentum Today”: PM Modi

• PM lays foundation stone, inaugurates and flags off multiple projects
• PM SVANidhi Credit Card launched for street vendors nationwide
• Rail connectivity and startup ecosystem in Thiruvananthapuram boosted
• Urban housing, healthcare and energy schemes highlighted

GG News Bureau
Thiruvananthapuram, 23rd Jan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and flagged off multiple developmental projects in Thiruvananthapuram, giving fresh momentum to Kerala’s growth across rail connectivity, urban infrastructure, startups and welfare initiatives.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the Union Government’s efforts for Kerala’s development have gained new momentum. He highlighted enhanced rail connectivity and initiatives to transform Thiruvananthapuram into a major startup hub.

From Kerala, the Prime Minister launched a nationwide welfare initiative with the introduction of the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, aimed at benefiting street vendors, hawkers and footpath workers across the country. He said the scheme would expand access to formal credit and improve livelihoods for lakhs of small traders.

Emphasising the role of cities in building a developed India, the Prime Minister said that over the past 11 years, the Union Government has made large investments in urban infrastructure. He noted that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than 4 crore houses have been built for the poor, including over 1 crore permanent houses for urban poor families. In Kerala alone, nearly 1.25 lakh urban poor families have received permanent homes.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the launch of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to reduce electricity expenses for poor families, and said Ayushman Bharat is providing free health treatment worth ₹5 lakh to eligible citizens. He added that schemes such as the Matru Vandana Yojana are strengthening health security for women.

Referring to financial inclusion, the Prime Minister said crores of citizens have been connected to the banking system over the last decade, enabling easier access to loans for SC, ST, OBC communities, women and fishermen, with the government acting as a guarantor in many cases.

On PM SVANidhi, he said the condition of street vendors has been transformed, with lakhs now receiving bank loans. He noted that PM SVANidhi Credit Cards were distributed at the event, including to 10,000 beneficiaries in Kerala and over 600 in Thiruvananthapuram, extending credit card access to small vendors for the first time.

The Prime Minister said Kerala’s connectivity and innovation ecosystem is being strengthened with the inauguration of the CSIR Innovation Hub and the launch of a Radio Surgery Centre at the Medical College, positioning the state as a hub for science, innovation and healthcare.

Rail connectivity received a boost with the flagging off of Amrit Bharat Express trains, aimed at improving travel and supporting tourism. A new passenger train between Guruvayur and Thrissur was also flagged off to ease pilgrim travel.

The Prime Minister said these projects would accelerate Kerala’s development and added that a developed Kerala is essential for achieving the vision of a developed India.

Among those present at the event were Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Ministers V. Somanna and George Kurian, and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V. V. Rajesh, along with other dignitaries.