Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated a set of new railway services from Thiruvananthapuram, giving a fresh push to passenger connectivity across southern India. The launch included three Amrit Bharat Express trains along with a new passenger service, aimed at improving both long-distance and short-haul travel.
The newly introduced Amrit Bharat Express trains will operate on the Nagercoil–Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram and Thiruvananthapuram–Charlapalli routes. In addition, a passenger train connecting Thrissur and Guruvayur was flagged off, offering improved access between key towns in Kerala.
Officials said the new rail links are expected to strengthen transport networks across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. By improving mobility for passengers, the services are also likely to support trade, tourism and economic interaction among the states.
Ahead of the event, the Prime Minister shared on social media that he was looking forward to interacting with people in Thiruvananthapuram and unveiling multiple development initiatives. Alongside the railway projects, he also launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card and facilitated the distribution of PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, aimed at supporting street vendors and small entrepreneurs.
During the visit, Modi also laid the foundation stone for the CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub. The upcoming centre will focus on research in life sciences and the bio-economy, combine traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda with modern biotechnology, and encourage innovation in areas like sustainable packaging and green hydrogen.
The series of launches underscores the government’s emphasis on infrastructure development and innovation-driven growth in the region.
