PM Modi Flags Off Amrit Bharat Trains Connecting Kerala with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh; Also Launches Thrissur–Guruvayur Service
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (January 23) launched a series of developmental projects and flagged off new train services in Kerala, saying a new realisation has emerged among the people about the Centre’s commitment to the state’s growth.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the projects, PM Modi said the day marked a fresh momentum in Kerala’s development journey, driven by the efforts of the central government. He noted that rail connectivity in the state had been further strengthened and that the new initiatives would help transform Thiruvananthapuram into a major hub in the country.
The Prime Minister flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains and a Thrissur–Guruvayur passenger train, aimed at enhancing regional rail connectivity between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
As part of the day’s programme, Modi laid the foundation stone for a CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram and launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card — a UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit facility for street vendors. He also disbursed loan amounts and credit cards to several beneficiaries under the PM SVANidhi scheme, stating that it was aimed at improving the welfare of the poor across Kerala and the nation.
In the healthcare and public services sectors, 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 and inaugurated the new Poojappura Head Post Office in the city.
Congratulating the people of Kerala and the entire nation for the developmental achievements, Modi said that building a “Viksit Bharat” requires collective efforts across the country. “Our cities have played a crucial role in this development. For the past 11 years, our government has made significant investments in urban infrastructure,” he said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in his welcome address, said the projects launched by the Prime Minister would go a long way in the development of the state. “These are of great significance so far as Keralam is concerned. This is a cherished moment of satisfaction to the state government as we have been consistently seeking the Union government’s green signal for many of these projects,” Vijayan said.
He expressed hope that the Centre’s goodwill towards the southern state would continue. “I do hope that the genuine demands of Keralam relating to various other fields will also be met in due course, and the Prime Minister will see to it that all those will be implemented in a time-bound manner,” the Chief Minister added.