Union Minister promises help to develop Coimbatore

Union Minister and BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan today promised all help to develop Coimbatore region in respect of rail, road and air connectivity.

In an interaction with industrialists and traders, he said he would arrange for an audience with all ministries concerned, particularly Civil Aviation and Railways, so that they could put forward their problems.

The minister reiterated his charge that some vested interests were working overtime to curtail the development of Tamil Nadu, though the Centre has allotted many schemes.

He cited the agitation against the Salem-Chennai eight lane project to drive home his point.

Radhakrishnan said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has sanctioned the new concept of bus ports, which would come up in four cities, including Coimbatore.

The concept would be a boon to neighbouring districts and areas, he added.

Stating that western districts of Tamil Nadu contributed 60 per cent to the state's economy, 75 per cent of which were from private entrepreneurs, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sanctioned various projects for the state on a priority basis.

On cancellation of flights by private airlines due to poor patronage, he said alternate arrangements were made to compensate the lacunae, but did not elaborate.

He said he was briefed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on the land acquistion process for expansion of the city airport.

Responding to presentations by various associations on their requirements related rail and road connectivity and Goods and Service Tax (GST), BJP national general secretary P Muralidhar Rao asked the associations for empirical studies and to present them before the Ministries concerned.

This should be done quickly as the Parliament session would commence from July 18, he said.

The interactive session was organised by the local chapter of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.