Dehradun

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday met former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Major General B C Khanduri (retd.) at his residence here and inquired about his well-being.

The unscheduled meeting, held during the Vice President’s visit to the state, reflected the deep bond and long-standing association between the two leaders, built over decades of public service.

Radhakrishnan was in Uttarakhand to attend an official event, marking his first visit to the state after assuming office as Vice President.

During the interaction, the Vice President fondly recalled his time with Khanduri in Parliament and their close working relationship. He said that while serving as a Member of Parliament, he had requested Khanduri—then Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways—to convert several important state highways in Tamil Nadu into national highways.

“Khanduri readily accepted the request,” Radhakrishnan said, expressing gratitude for the former minister’s foresight and prompt decision-making.

He noted that the expansion and upgradation of road infrastructure under Khanduri’s leadership played a transformative role in the industrial development of Tamil Nadu, particularly helping the Coimbatore region emerge as a major industrial hub.

Major General Khanduri, now 91, served in the Indian Army for over three decades with distinction before entering public life. He went on to serve as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand twice and also held key ministerial portfolios in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

The meeting was attended by Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh (retd.) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

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Earlier in the day, upon his arrival at Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun, the Vice President was received by the Governor and the Chief Minister.