Centre making major investments for development of cities, says Modi; PM launches credit card for street vendors 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Centre is making major investments for the development of cities across the country. He said the distribution of PM SVANidhi credit cards for the welfare of the poor has been launched from Kerala. The Prime Minister said that the scheme is intended to support street vendors, pushcart vendors, and small shop owners. Through the initiative, lakhs of street vendors have received bank loans for the first time, he added.

PM SVANidhi credit cards were distributed to 10,000 beneficiaries across Kerala, including more than 600 in Thiruvananthapuram. The Prime Minister was speaking after inaugurating and laying foundation stones for several development projects in the state. He also flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train at Putharikandam Maidan.

Modi said that more than four crore houses have been constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with over one crore provided to the urban poor. In Kerala, 1.25 lakh poor families living in urban areas have received houses under the scheme.

He said easy access to bank loans is now available for the Scheduled Castes, OBC communities, women, and fishermen. For those without collateral, the central government acts as a guarantor.

“To reduce electricity expenses for the poor, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has been implemented. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, poor families receive free medical treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh. The Matru Vandana scheme ensures healthcare support for women. The exemption from income tax for people earning up to Rs 12 lakh annually has benefited the middle class and salaried employees in Kerala. The launch of Amrit Bharat Express trains will strengthen rail connectivity and boost tourism, while the Guruvayur–Thrissur passenger train will make travel easier for pilgrims. All these projects will accelerate Kerala’s development,” Modi said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan welcomed the Prime Minister and said he was pleased that projects aimed at the state’s development were being inaugurated. He also urged that demands in other sectors be considered. Governor R V Arlekar, Union Ministers V Somanna and George Kurian, Minister M B Rajesh, Mayor V V Rajesh, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and others attended the event.