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On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 4 new train services in Kerala and this was a significant move to enhance rail connectivity in southern India. The new services will consist of three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one of the passenger trains. The Amrit Bharat trains will serve the routes Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram, Nagercoil -Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli linking Kerala with Thiruvananthapuram -Tambaram, Nagercoil-Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram -Charlapalli. Moreover, a thrissur-guruvayur passenger train was launched so as to enhance the short-haul state-wide travel.
Cheap, quicker and newer Rail Transport.
The trains of the Amrit Bharat Express are meant to be used with non-air-conditioned cheap long distance transport and give out modern facilities at the same time. These trains are characterized by better seating, better lighting, increased safety and an up-to-date passenger information board. Indian Railways will operate 50+ Amrit Bharat services across the country in the next few years as a part of its drive to modernize the organization to be passenger friendly. The new routes will impact positively on the lives of thousands of passengers every year among them students, migrant workers and tourists.
SVANidhi Credit Card was introduced to the street vendors.
The same event also saw the introduction of the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, which is a significant move towards financial inclusion of the street vendors. The card has a revolving credit limit of upto ₹50,000 which is UPI-enabled and therefore the vendors can get instant working capital without having to go through long paperwork. The project will be based on the PM SVANidhi Scheme where over 60 lakh loans have been granted so far in India. The credit card will be focused on encouraging the use of digital payments, formal banking services, and the formation of credit histories on small traders.
Infrastructure, Innovation and Jobs Boost.
The Prime Minister was also a foundation stone of the CSIR NIIST Innovation-Technology -Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram. The hub will facilitate the development and research of startups, skill development especially in green technology and life sciences. In his speech to the assembly, PM Modi mentioned that the projects are an indication of the Centre desire to ensure that the State is inclusive, grow its infrastructure and create jobs in Kerala. The senior state leaders and officials were present at the event emphasizing on cooperative federalism in development initiatives.
