Coimbatore: A new Vande Bharat Express service will soon be launched between Ernakulam and Bengaluru, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan announced. This is his first three-day official visit to Tamil Nadu, from October 28th to 30th, since assuming office as Vice President.
Upon his arrival at the Coimbatore airport, BJP State President Nainar Nagendran and other senior party officials warmly welcomed him and presented him with bouquets. Speaking to the media, Vice President Radhakrishnan said, “My humble greetings to all Tamil people living across the world and to the sacred land of Tamil Nadu.” The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) organized a felicitation ceremony in his honor at the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex in Peelamedu, Coimbatore. The event was attended by BJP State President Nainar Nagendran, former State President K. Several prominent leaders, including Annamalai, BJP National Women’s Front President Vanathi Srinivasan, and senior leader H. Raja, were present.
In his address, CODISSIA President Karthikeyan highlighted the achievements of Radhakrishnan’s tenure as Chairman of the Coir Board, stating that under his leadership, India’s coir exports surpassed ₹2,500 crore. He also presented key development projects for Coimbatore, including the implementation of a 120-kilometer industrial corridor project benefiting three districts, the expansion of the Coimbatore airport, and the initiation of a metro rail project for the city. In his speech, the Vice President announced that the Vande Bharat Express between Ernakulam and Bengaluru would soon be launched. The train will stop at Coimbatore, Salem, Tiruppur, and Erode. Additionally, a new daily train service will be launched for workers traveling to and from Coimbatore from Jharkhand.
During his address, he emphasized the importance of airport expansion for regional development, stating that Karnataka’s rapid growth is largely due to the expansion of Bengaluru Airport. He supported the expansion of Coimbatore Airport.
Highlighting his commitment to worker welfare, he said that industries that fail to protect workers cannot survive. The Vice President said that Coimbatore is a model district that promotes the welfare of all. True development lies in ensuring that one state’s progress contributes to the prosperity of others. In his address, he said that from 1954 to 2016, India exported coir products worth only ₹652 crore. When he assumed office, he promised to double exports. Within three years, coir exports increased to ₹1,782 crore.
The Vice President’s Busy Schedule
After the CODISSIA event, Vice President Radhakrishnan went to the Government Guest House on Race Course Road, where he had lunch. At around 3 p.m., he paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Coimbatore Corporation premises in Town Hall. He then visited the Adinam Math in Perur, where he participated in the institution’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Later in the evening, he traveled to his hometown of Tiruppur. Afterward, he is scheduled to attend various events in Madurai.
