Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underscored the transformative role of cities in India’s development journey, while inaugurating new Amrit Bharat Express trains in Thiruvananthapuram.
“To build a Viksit Bharat, the entire country is making a collective effort. In building Viksit Bharat, our cities are playing a major role. In the last 11 years, the Centre has been investing heavily in urban infrastructure,” he said as he flagged off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train.
He added, “Thiruvananthapuram reflects the aspirations of a changing Kerala. The verdict in the recent corporation elections signals a shift in public mood across the state. The development works being launched today will strengthen Kerala’s infrastructure, improve connectivity, and create new opportunities for the people.”
Alongside these, PM Modi also inaugurated the Thrissur–Guruvayur passenger train, which will provide significant relief to daily commuters.
These trains 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, Modi will launch 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.
PM Modi took the opportunity to attack DMK and said, “Tamil Nadu is with the NDA" and he will be joining NDA leaders at the rally in Madurantakam later today.
"The people of Tamil Nadu have decided it’s time to bid farewell to the corrupt DMK government. The NDA’s governance record and commitment to regional aspirations are striking a chord with the people of the state," he said.
The Prime Minister will also disburse PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, including street vendors from Kerala. Since its inception in 2020, the 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, Modi will lay 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. PM will lay the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram.
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