Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and flagged off a series of major development projects in Thiruvananthapuram, marking a significant boost to Kerala’s infrastructure, urban livelihoods, innovation ecosystem and healthcare facilities. Addressing a large gathering, the Prime Minister said the Union Government’s development efforts for Kerala have gained fresh momentum, with strengthened rail connectivity, initiatives to transform Thiruvananthapuram into a major startup hub, and the launch of a nationwide welfare initiative for street vendors from the state.
The Prime Minister highlighted that from Kerala, a major step for the welfare of the poor has been taken with the launch of the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, which will benefit street vendors, hawkers and footpath workers across the country. Congratulating the people of Kerala and citizens nationwide, he said these initiatives will create employment, enhance livelihoods and contribute to inclusive growth.
Emphasising the role of cities in building a developed India, Shri Modi noted that over the past 11 years the Union Government has made substantial investments in urban infrastructure. He said focused efforts have also been undertaken to improve the living conditions of poor families in urban areas. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than four crore houses have been provided to the poor across the country, including over one crore permanent houses for urban poor families. In Kerala alone, nearly 1.25 lakh urban poor families have received permanent homes.
Highlighting measures to reduce household expenses, the Prime Minister referred to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, aimed at lowering electricity bills for poor families through rooftop solar power. He also underlined the impact of Ayushman Bharat, under which poor citizens receive free health treatment up to ₹5 lakh, and the Matru Vandana Yojana, which ensures health security for women. Shri Modi added that exemption of income up to ₹12 lakh from income tax has benefited middle-class and salaried families in Kerala as well.
The Prime Minister said that over the last decade, crores of citizens have been connected to the formal banking system, enabling the poor, SC, ST, OBC communities, women and fishermen to access bank credit. He noted that the Union Government now acts as a guarantor for those without collateral, expanding access to institutional finance.
Referring to the transformation in the lives of street vendors, Shri Modi said that earlier many struggled to borrow even small amounts at high interest rates. Through the PM SVANidhi scheme, lakhs of street vendors have received bank loans for the first time, significantly improving their economic security. Taking the initiative further, the Government has now introduced the PM SVANidhi Credit Card. The Prime Minister noted that credit cards have been distributed to around 10,000 beneficiaries in Kerala, including more than 600 in Thiruvananthapuram, marking a major step towards financial empowerment of informal workers.
The Prime Minister also highlighted investments in connectivity, science, innovation and healthcare. He inaugurated the CSIR Innovation Hub in Kerala and launched a state-of-the-art Radiosurgery Centre at the Medical College, which he said would help position Kerala as a hub of science, innovation and advanced healthcare.
Strengthening rail connectivity was a key highlight of the visit. Shri Modi flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains and a new passenger train, significantly enhancing long-distance and regional connectivity. 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. These trains will improve connectivity between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, providing affordable, safe and time-bound travel while boosting tourism, trade, education and employment.
As part of science and innovation initiatives, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the CSIR–NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram. The hub will focus on life sciences, the bio-economy, integration of Ayurveda with modern biotechnology, sustainable packaging and green hydrogen, while promoting startups, technology transfer and global collaboration.
In healthcare, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology. The facility will enable highly precise and minimally invasive treatment for complex brain disorders, strengthening tertiary healthcare services in the region.
Shri Modi also inaugurated the new Poojappura Head Post Office in Thiruvananthapuram, a modern technology-enabled facility offering postal, banking, insurance and digital services, further strengthening citizen-centric service delivery.
The Prime Minister concluded by stating that the rapid development of Kerala is integral to the vision of a developed India, and reaffirmed that the Union Government stands firmly with the people of the state in this journey.
Governor of Kerala Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister of Kerala Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Ministers Shri V Somanna and Shri George Kurian, and Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Shri V V Rajesh were present among other dignitaries at the event.
