Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and flagged off multiple development projects in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, giving fresh momentum to the Union Government’s development agenda in the state. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said enhanced rail connectivity and new initiatives to position Thiruvananthapuram as a major startup hub marked a significant step forward for Kerala’s growth. He highlighted the launch of the PM SVANidhi Credit Card from Kerala, describing it as a nationwide initiative for the welfare of the poor. The scheme is aimed at supporting street vendors, hawkers and footpath workers across the country by improving access to formal credit. The Prime Minister congratulated the people of Kerala and citizens nationwide, noting that these initiatives would generate employment and strengthen livelihoods. Emphasising the role of cities in building a developed India, the Prime Minister said that over the past 11 years the Union Government has made substantial investments in urban infrastructure. He added that focused efforts have been undertaken to support urban poor families. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than four crore houses have been constructed across the country, including over one crore permanent homes for the urban poor. In Kerala alone, nearly 1.25 lakh urban poor families have benefited. The Prime Minister also referred to welfare initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to reduce electricity expenses for poor households, Ayushman Bharat providing free health treatment up to Rs 5 lakh, and the Matru Vandana Yojana for women’s health security. He noted that income up to Rs 12 lakh has been exempted from tax, benefitting the middle class and salaried citizens, including those in Kerala. Highlighting financial inclusion, the Prime Minister said that crores of citizens have been connected to the banking system over the past decade. Poor families, SC, ST, OBC communities, women and fishermen now have improved access to bank credit, with the Union Government acting as a guarantor where collateral is unavailable. He noted that the PM SVANidhi Scheme has transformed the lives of street vendors who earlier depended on high-interest informal loans. Under the scheme, lakhs of vendors have received bank loans, and the introduction of PM SVANidhi Credit Cards marks a further step. Recently, cards were distributed to 10,000 beneficiaries in Kerala, including more than 600 in Thiruvananthapuram. The Prime Minister said the Union Government is also investing in connectivity, science, innovation and healthcare. Key initiatives include the inauguration of the CSIR Innovation Hub in Kerala and the launch of a Radiosurgery Centre at the Medical College, strengthening the state’s position in science, innovation and advanced healthcare. Rail connectivity in Kerala has been boosted with the flagging off of three Amrit Bharat Express trains and a new passenger train between Guruvayur and Thrissur. These services will improve regional and long-distance connectivity with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, supporting tourism, trade and employment. Concluding his address, the Prime Minister said that a developed Kerala is essential to achieving the vision of a developed India, reiterating the Union Government’s commitment to supporting the state’s growth.