PM Modi flags off four new trains in Kerala, launches SVANidhi Credit Card
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the newly allotted three new Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train service for Kerala, in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday (January 23, 2026). Mr. Modi flagged off the new services via video around 11 am at Putharikandam Maidanam in the State capital.
The Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express (from Thiruvananthapuram Central station), the Nagercoil-Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express (from Thiruvananthapuram Central station), the Thiruvananthapuram-Charlappalli Amrit Bharat Express (from Thiruvananthapuram North station) and the Thrissur-Guruvayur Passenger Train (from Thrissur station) departed for their destinations from the respective stations soon after the ceremony.
The Prime Minister landed at the Thiruvananthapuram airport around 10.24 a.m. Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others received the Prime Minister at the airport, from where he was taken to the roadshow point at Overbridge. Waving BJP flags, placards and saffron festoons, people in large numbers gathered on either side of the road from the airport premises to Overbridge to greet the Prime Minister.
Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna and Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi attended the function at Thiruvananthapuram North and Thrissur railway stations, respectively, along with other elected representatives and dignitaries. The trains would be accorded receptions at various railway stations across the State during their inaugural journey.
As part of efforts to strengthen urban livelihood, Mr. Modi has also launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, marking the next phase of financial inclusion for street vendors. The UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit facility will provide instant liquidity, promote digital transactions, and help beneficiaries build formal credit histories. The Prime Minister has also disbursed PM SVANidhi loans to 1 lakh beneficiaries, including street vendors from the State.
Innovation hub
The foundation stone for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub was also laid here on the occasion. The hub will focus on life sciences and bio-economy, integrate traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda with modern biotechnology, sustainable packaging, and green hydrogen, and promote start-up creation, technology transfer, and global collaboration. It will serve as a platform for converting research into market-ready solutions and enterprises.
The foundation stone for a state-of-the-art radiosurgery centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology was also laid. The facility will provide highly precise, minimally invasive treatment for complex brain disorders, enhancing regional tertiary health-care capabilities. The Prime Minister also inaugurated a new head post office at Poojappura on the occasion. The modern, technology-enabled facility will offer a comprehensive range of postal, banking, insurance and digital services, further strengthening citizen-centric service delivery.
