PM Modi Lays Foundation Stones and Inaugurates Multiple Development Projects in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

New Delhi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stones and inaugurated several major development projects in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the Centre’s efforts for Kerala’s development have gained fresh momentum. He highlighted initiatives to strengthen rail connectivity and transform Thiruvananthapuram into a major startup hub.

The Prime Minister said that a significant nationwide initiative for the welfare of the poor has been launched from Kerala with the introduction of the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, which will benefit street vendors, hawkers, and footpath workers across the country. He congratulated the people of Kerala and citizens nationwide for these development and employment-generating initiatives.

Emphasising that cities play a crucial role in building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India), the Prime Minister noted that over the past 11 years, the central government has made substantial investments in urban infrastructure. He also highlighted the extensive work done for urban poor families, stating that over 4 crore houses have been provided to the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, including more than 1 crore permanent houses for urban poor. In Kerala alone, nearly 12 lakh urban poor families have received permanent housing.

To reduce electricity expenses for poor households, the Prime Minister referred to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He also highlighted that under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, poor citizens receive free health treatment up to ₹5 lakh, while initiatives like the Matru Vandana Yojana ensure women’s health security. He added that income up to ₹12 lakh has been made tax-free, benefitting Kerala’s middle class and salaried population.

The Prime Minister said that extensive efforts have been made over the past 11 years to bring crores of citizens into the banking system. Today, the poor, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, women, and fishermen can easily access bank loans, with the central government acting as guarantor even when collateral is unavailable.

Highlighting the success of the PM SVANidhi Scheme, the Prime Minister said that street vendors—who earlier struggled to secure small loans at high interest rates—are now receiving bank credit for the first time, significantly improving their livelihoods. He added that the introduction of SVANidhi Credit Cards marks another milestone, with over 10,000 cards distributed in Kerala and more than 600 in Thiruvananthapuram. He noted that credit card access, once limited to the affluent, is now available to street vendors as well.

The Prime Minister underlined major investments being made in connectivity, science and innovation, and healthcare. He mentioned the inauguration of the CSIR Innovation Hub and the launch of a Radiosurgery Centre at a medical institution, which will help establish Kerala as a centre for science, innovation, and advanced healthcare.

He further stated that the launch of Amrit Bharat Express trains has strengthened rail connectivity in Kerala, easing travel and boosting tourism. The new passenger train between Guruvayur and Thrissur will especially benefit pilgrims. Concluding his address, the Prime Minister said that the dream of a developed India requires a developed Kerala, and reaffirmed that the central government stands firmly with the people of Kerala.

The event was attended by Kerala Governor Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Ministers Shri V. Somanna and Shri George Kurian, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Shri V.V. Rajesh, and other dignitaries.

Background

These projects span key sectors including rail connectivity, urban livelihoods, science and innovation, citizen-centric services, and advanced healthcare, reflecting the Prime Minister’s continued focus on inclusive development, technological progress, and improving quality of life.

To boost rail connectivity, the Prime Minister flagged off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train:

Nagercoil–Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express

Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express

Thiruvananthapuram–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express

Thrissur–Guruvayur Passenger Train

These services will significantly enhance long-distance and regional connectivity across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, making travel more affordable, safe, and time-efficient. Improved connectivity is expected to boost tourism, trade, education, employment, and cultural exchange across the region.

Under efforts to strengthen urban livelihoods, the PM SVANidhi Credit Card was launched as the next phase of financial inclusion for street vendors. Linked with UPI, the interest-free revolving credit facility will ensure instant liquidity, promote digital transactions, and help beneficiaries build a formal credit history. The Prime Minister also distributed PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, including street vendors from Kerala. Since its launch in 2020, the PM SVANidhi scheme has played a vital role in poverty alleviation and livelihood security among urban informal workers.

In the field of science and innovation, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the CSIR–NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram. The hub will focus on life sciences and the bio-economy, integrating traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda with modern biotechnology, sustainable packaging, and green hydrogen. It will promote startup creation, technology transfer, and global collaboration, serving as a platform to convert research into market-ready solutions and enterprises.

Strengthening healthcare infrastructure is another key objective. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of a state-of-the-art Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram. The facility will provide highly precise, minimally invasive treatment for complex neurological disorders, enhancing tertiary healthcare capabilities in the region.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the new Poojappura Head Post Office in Thiruvananthapuram. This modern, technology-enabled facility will offer a wide range of postal, banking, insurance, and digital services, further strengthening citizen-centric service delivery.