Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on January 23, 2026. (@NarendraModi/YT via PTI Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a brief visit to the Kerala capital on Friday, launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card that ‘will benefit street vendors, hawkers, and those working on footpaths across the country.’
Modi said this is a significant nationwide initiative for welfare of poor. He was happy that it is being launched from Thiruvananthapuram, where NDA had stormed the Corporation Council in recent local body polls.
Connecting citizens
Modi recalled that condition of street vendors, who earlier struggled to borrow even a few hundred rupees at high interest rates, has been transformed through the scheme. This is part of a massive effort through last 11 years, initiated to connect crores of citizens to the banking system, the Prime Minister said.
PM SVANidhi credit cards were distributed on the occasion, including to 10,000 beneficiaries in the state of Kerala and more than 600 in Thiruvananthapuram alone. The Prime Minister noted that till now, only the wealthy had access to credit cards. But now, street vendors have grown to a stature when they too can claim one.
Govt as guarantor
Alongside, the poor, SC, ST, OBC communities, women, and fishermen are able to access bank loans easily, with Centre undertaking to offer itself as their guarantor whenever they fail to come up with required collateral. The Centre has also undertaken extensive work for poor families living in cities across the country.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than four crore houses have been constructed and handed over to those in need across the country, including over one crore permanent houses for urban poor, Modi said. In Kerala alone, nearly 1.25 lakh urban poor families have become proud owners of permanent houses, he added.
‘Developed’ Kerala
The Prime Minister remarked that a developed Kerala is essential for realising the dream of a developed India. He promised the Centre will stand alongside the people of Kerala in realising their dreams and aspirations.
Earlier, he flagged off the Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express; the Nagercoil-Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express; the Thiruvananthapuram North-Charlappalli Amrit Bharat Express; and the Thrissur-Guruvayur Passenger train. Modi said the new trains will enhance ease pop travel and benefit the tourism sector.
Published on January 23, 2026
