PM Modi launches rail services, SVANidhi credit card and infra projects in Kerala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a series of development projects and flagged off new train services in Kerala.

As part of a major boost to rail connectivity, the Prime Minister flagged off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train.

The services include the Nagercoil–Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, and a passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur.

The new train services are expected to enhance long-distance and regional connectivity between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Officials said the services would make travel more affordable, safe and time-bound, while also supporting tourism, trade, education, employment and cultural exchange across the region.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub.

The hub will focus on life sciences and the bio-economy, integrate traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda with modern biotechnology, and promote startup creation, technology transfer and global collaboration.

Strengthening healthcare infrastructure was another focus of the visit. Modi laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology.

He also inaugurated the new Poojappura Head Post Office, which will offer postal, banking, insurance and digital services.

As part of efforts to strengthen urban livelihoods, the Prime Minister launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, a UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit facility for street vendors. The facility is aimed at providing instant liquidity, promoting digital transactions and helping beneficiaries build formal credit histories.

Modi also disbursed PM SVANidhi loan amounts and credit cards to beneficiaries under the scheme. He handed over a credit card to a woman fruit vendor and a tailor, and distributed cheques to TP Biju and Sahayarani, a fish vendor. Loan amounts were also disbursed to one lakh beneficiaries, including street vendors from Kerala.

The PM SVANidhi scheme, launched in 2020, has enabled first-time access to formal credit for a majority of beneficiaries and played a key role in supporting livelihood security among urban informal workers.

(With inputs from agencies)