Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched several important development projects and new train services in Kerala, marking a significant infrastructure and political push in the poll-bound state. The initiatives aim to strengthen connectivity, improve public services, and promote financial inclusion across the region.

The Prime Minister arrived in Thiruvananthapuram in the morning, where he was received by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and other dignitaries. This visit was his first to Kerala after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the recent civic polls, ending the Left’s 45-year hold over the local body.

As part of the key launches, Modi introduced the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, which marks the next phase of financial inclusion for street vendors. The credit card is described as a UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit facility that will provide instant liquidity, encourage digital transactions, and help beneficiaries build formal credit histories. The Prime Minister also disbursed PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, including street vendors from Kerala.

In addition, Modi inaugurated a modern post office in the state capital. The newly inaugurated Poojappura Head Post Office in Thiruvananthapuram is a technology-enabled facility that will offer a wide range of postal, banking, insurance, and digital services. The initiative is expected to strengthen citizen-centric service delivery in the region.

A major highlight of the visit was the boost to rail connectivity. The Prime Minister flagged off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains. These trains are expected to enhance long-distance and regional connectivity between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. According to an official statement, the new train services will make travel more affordable, safe, and time-bound, while also supporting tourism, trade, education, employment, and cultural exchange across the region.

In the field of science and innovation, Modi laid 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 and will integrate traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda with modern biotechnology, sustainable packaging, and green hydrogen. It will also promote startups, technology transfer, and global collaboration, serving as a platform to convert research into market-ready solutions and enterprises.

The Prime Minister also 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 provide highly precise, minimally invasive treatment for complex brain disorders and is expected to strengthen tertiary healthcare in the region.

Through these initiatives, the Prime Minister’s visit highlighted a strong focus on infrastructure development, innovation, healthcare, financial inclusion, and connectivity in Kerala. The projects launched and inaugurated during the visit are expected to contribute to regional growth and improve access to essential services for citizens.