The Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today met Major General (Retd.) B. C. Khanduri, former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and former Union Minister, at his residence in Dehradun and inquired about his health. The meeting, though unscheduled, reflected the warm personal rapport and long-standing association between the two leaders, marked by mutual respect and camaraderie developed over decades of public service.

Major General (Retd.) Khanduri, a distinguished military officer of the Indian Army, served the nation with honour for over three decades and was conferred the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) for his exceptional service. After retiring from the Army, he entered public life and played a significant role in shaping the development and governance of Uttarakhand. He served as Chief Minister of the State on two occasions and also held key positions in the Union Government, including as Minister of State (Independent Charge) and later as Cabinet Minister in the Ministry of Surface Transport and Highways under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. During his tenure, he was instrumental in advancing the Golden Quadrilateral and the National Highways Development Programme, which transformed India’s road infrastructure and connectivity. 

Recalling their association as Members of the Lok Sabha, the Vice-President shared fond memories of working together in Parliament. He specifically recollected how, as a Member of Parliament, he had approached Major General Khanduri, the then Union Minister of Road, Transport & Highways, with a request to consider the conversion of key State Highways in Tamil Nadu into National Highways, to which Major General Khanduri had readily agreed. 

The Vice-President thanked Major General Khanduri for his support and foresight, noting that improved road connectivity had contributed significantly to the emergence of the Coimbatore region as a major industrial hub and had aided overall regional development.

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PR/ASM