Page 43 - NIS English 16-28 Feb, 2026

Development fillip from Kerala | NATION

Foundation Stone Laying

And Project Inaugurations In

Thiruvananthapuram

Key sectors covered include rail connectivity, urban livelihoods, science
and innovation, citizen-centric services, and advanced healthcare.
n PM SVANidhi Credit Card launched. This UPI-linked, interest-free
revolving credit facility will provide instant cash, promote digital
transactions, and help beneficiaries build a formal credit history.
n PM SVANidhi loans disbursed to one lakh beneficiaries. The PM
SVANidhi scheme has provided a large segment of beneficiaries
with access to formal credit for the first time.
n Three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train flagged
off to improve rail connectivity in Kerala.
n These include the Nagercoil-Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express,
Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express,
Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, and a new
passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur.
n The commencement of these services will significantly improve
long-distance and regional connectivity between Kerala, Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, making travel
more affordable, safer, and time-efficient for passengers.
n Foundation stone laid for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation,
Technology & Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram.

n Foundation stone laid for a state-of-the-art radiosurgery center
at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and
Technology in Thiruvananthapuram.
n The new post office at Poojappura in Thiruvananthapuram was Scan the QR code to watch the
Prime Minister’s full programme.
also inaugurated.
In the last 11 years, immense work has been done to connect crores of countrymen
with the banking system. Now, the poor, SC/ST/OBCs, women, and fishermen
are all getting easy access to bank loans. For those who have no collateral, the
government itself is becoming their guarantor. – Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

women. The central government has made income tion, and healthcare. Similarly, Kerala’s rail connectivity
up to ₹12 lakh tax-free. This has greatly benefited the has been further strengthened. Three Amrit Bharat
people of Kerala, especially the middle class. Express trains have been flagged off. This will benefit
the tourism sector. The new passenger train between
GIVING NEW MOMENTUM TO KERALA’S Guruvayur and Thrissur will make travel easier for
DEVELOPMENT pilgrims. All these projects will give new momentum to
The central government is also investing heavily in con- Kerala’s development.
nectivity, science and innovation, and healthcare. The Certainly, the dream of a developed India will be real-
inauguration of the CSIR Innovation Hub in Kerala and ized only through a developed Kerala. In this endeavor,
the launch of the radiosurgery center at the medical the central government stands firmly with the people of
college will help make Kerala a hub for science, innova- Kerala. n

February 16-28, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 41