Prime Minister Flags Off 4 Trains, Including Three Amrit Bharat Express; Dedicates SVANidhi Credit Cards and Various Projects to the Nation
Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dedicated a series of significant development projects to the nation, prominently featuring the flag-off of four new trains, including three Amrit Bharat Express services. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several other initiatives aimed at enhancing public welfare and infrastructure.
Key among the projects launched were the PM SVANidhi Credit Cards, specifically designed to empower street vendors with access to financial assistance of up to one lakh rupees. Additionally, the Prime Minister inaugurated the National Innovation Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub at Thonnakkal Life Science Park, a state-of-the-art radio surgery center at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute, and the Poojappura Head Post Office.
Commencing his address in Malayalam, Prime Minister Modi underscored the transformative impact of the central government’s initiatives on the lives of ordinary urban citizens over the past 11 years. He emphasized the government’s dedicated focus on the upliftment of the urban poor. Under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than four crore houses have been constructed and delivered nationwide, with over one crore of these situated in urban areas. In Kerala alone, this scheme has provided homes to approximately 25 lakh urban residents.
The Prime Minister further elaborated on various schemes aimed at alleviating the financial burden on low-income groups, including measures to reduce electricity bills. He highlighted the income tax exemption for annual incomes up to 12 lakh rupees, a step that has significantly benefited the middle class and salaried individuals across Kerala. Furthermore, he spoke about the Matru Vandana scheme, a key initiative for women empowerment, and the provision of health insurance coverage worth five lakh rupees.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by street vendors in the past, who often struggled to secure even small loans of 100 rupees at exorbitant interest rates, Prime Minister Modi lauded the PM SVANidhi scheme as a revolutionary solution. This program has enabled lakhs of street vendors to access formal credit. He proudly announced the issuance of PM SVANidhi Credit Cards, noting that approximately ten thousand street vendors in Kerala alone would receive these cards. He contrasted this with a time when credit cards were primarily accessible only to the affluent, stating that today, street vendors too hold SVANidhi Credit Cards.
The flag-off ceremony included three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train, symbolizing the government’s commitment to providing enhanced travel facilities for the people of Kerala. The Prime Minister affirmed that these projects would significantly accelerate the pace of development in the state, aligning with the vision of a developed Kerala contributing to a developed India. He concluded by assuring that the central government stands firmly and confidently with Kerala in its journey towards progress and prosperity.