PM Modi visited Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, combining the launch of key development initiatives with political outreach as Kerala prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections. The visit focused on infrastructure expansion, welfare delivery and strengthening the BJP’s organisational presence in the state.
During the visit, the Prime Minister flagged off four new railway services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train. These services are expected to improve rail connectivity between Kerala and neighbouring states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Modi said better connectivity would boost tourism, trade and employment while offering faster and more comfortable travel options to passengers.
Modi also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several important projects. He inaugurated a Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, aimed at improving access to advanced cancer treatment. He also laid the foundation stone for the CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub, which is intended to promote scientific research, innovation and start-up activity in the state.
As part of welfare outreach, the Prime Minister launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, a UPI-linked revolving credit facility for street vendors. Loans were disbursed to nearly one lakh beneficiaries under the scheme. The initiative is designed to provide easy access to formal credit, support self-employment and reduce reliance on informal lenders.
Addressing a public meeting, Modi criticised the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), accusing both of corruption and ineffective governance. He alleged that frequent political conflicts and decades of alternating power between the two fronts had slowed Kerala’s development and affected the implementation of central schemes. Referring to recent local body election results, Modi claimed that voters were looking for change and better governance.
PM Modi also held meetings with BJP workers and leaders, urging them to strengthen grassroots-level engagement and communicate the Centre’s development initiatives to the public. He met representatives of various community organisations, including the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha. Industrialist Sabu M. Jacob, whose party Twenty20 recently joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), was also present during the outreach interactions.
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