Latest news with #DuraiVaiko
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trichy airport sees record 76k domestic flyers in June
1 2 3 TRICHY: Trichy International Airport recorded its highest-ever domestic passenger traffic in June, handling 76,035 passengers — a 64% increase over the same month last year, according to data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Though only one new domestic destination was introduced and 22 weekly services added, Trichy recorded the highest rise in domestic traffic among 33 international airports in the country. Integration of flight services in both incoming and outgoing traffic is one of the main reasons for the surge in domestic passengers. In June 2024, the airport handled 46,375 domestic passengers through 80 weekly flights to four cities. By June 2025, this rose to 76,035 passengers via 102 weekly flights to five destinations. Although the number of weekly flights grew by just 27%, passenger numbers jumped 64%. Traditionally seen as an international hub, Trichy airport is increasingly being used by passengers to access other international gateways such as Kochi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, especially for Gulf-bound travel. In turn, passengers from those cities are flying into Trichy to tap into its strong Southeast Asia connectivity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2023 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo Kochi was the latest addition in May 2025 and offers tourists quick access to Velankanni. Until March 22, Indigo operated all domestic services from Trichy. The entry of Air India Express, with new flights to Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, boosted domestic footfall. 'We persuaded Air India Express to launch domestic services. New Delhi is under consideration. We'll also push Indigo to expand its offerings from Trichy,' said MP and airport advisory committee chairman Durai Vaiko. 'Airlines will be suggested to move ATR flights to smaller airports and introduce narrowbody flights for domestic services connecting Trichy. New flight connectivity from Trichy to Kolkata is on cards too,' airport director S Gnaneswara Rao said. 'There is demand for connectivity to Trivandrum, Mysore, and Kannur. Trichy is better connected to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore than many tier-I cities,' said aviation analyst H Ubaidullah.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vaiko spoke for Tamils, marginalised in Parliament for 30 years, says Durai Vaiko
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) principal secretary and Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko on Friday said party founder Vaiko had spent three decades in Parliament voicing the concerns of Tamils and marginalised communities. His tenure as a Rajya Sabha MP formally ended earlier this week. Addressing the media at the Coimbatore airport, Durai Vaiko said his father first entered Parliament in 1978 with the support of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi. 'From interlinking of rivers and Eelam Tamils to labour rights and social justice, he raised issues that mattered to the people,' he said. He recalled that Vaiko had introduced a private member bill on river-linking and was among the first to demand a national holiday on May Day. Durai Vaiko added that the MDMK would hold a large public conference in Tiruchi on September 15. 'It will be an important moment in the run-up to the Assembly elections. Strengthening the party's organisation is our focus now.' To a question about Mallai Sathya he said, 'Let us not get caught in diversions. Our concern is with the people's issues. That's what we will speak about.' On alliance talks and seat-sharing, he said discussions had not begun and the party would comment at the appropriate time.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Trichy MP meets railway minister to expedite VB maintenance plan
Trichy: Trichy MP and MDMK's principal secretary Durai Vaiko on Thursday met Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw seeking his support to expedite the technical sanction, tendering, and commissioning process of Vande Bharat maintenance facility proposed at Ponmalai railway workshop in Trichy at a cost of Rs300 crore. The MP thanked the minister and the railway board for the decision to set up Vande Bharat maintenance and overhauling facility at Trichy. The MP also said that the demand for a coach manufacturing facility at Trichy, is under consideration. The additional member of the railway board identified land at Ponmalai workshop recently, reflecting the ministry's commitment, Durai Vaiko added. "The facility will not just boost Trichy's strategic importance in Southern Railway but generate employment and contribute to industrial growth," Durai Vaiko said. He submitted a separate demand requesting the minister to announce a daytime intercity express between Trichy and Tirupati, interlinking two prominent pilgrimage centres in Srirangam and Tirupati. In another separate petition to the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), the MP urged authorities to allocate examination centres for NEET-PG candidates within the home state. "Despite opting for preferred cities in Tamil Nadu, a significant number of candidates were allocated centres in different states including Andhra Pradesh. This situation burdens women and rural aspirants," the MP said.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rs12 lakh allocated for Kundrandar temple: Union minister
Pudukottai: A sum of 12 lakh has been allocated for the maintenance of the ancient Kundrandar temple in Pudukottai district, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in response to a query raised by Trichy MP Durai Vaiko. The temple, a rock-cut cave temple, is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Responding to a series of queries by Durai Vaiko to the Union ministry of culture and tourism,Shekhawat confirmed the allocation and outlined the conservation measures being undertaken. In his reply dated July 21, the minister stated that "maintenance and conservation works are taken up periodically based on the requirement priority and resources available considering provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958, and also conservation policy. " He had also mentioned that an annual conservation plan (ACP) has been drawn up for the temple. As part of this, 12 lakh has been earmarked for the current financial year. Durai Vaiko had raised concerns over the 'neglect' of the temple for more than two decades and questioned whether the maintenance work had been stopped. In a response to the broader monitoring measures, the minister said that Tamil Nadu is home to 412 monuments under ASI's jurisdiction. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Crypto CFDs May Suit Your Portfolio IC Markets Learn More Undo "The said temple is being regularly maintained and conserved. The officers of ASI conduct periodic inspections to monitor the status of conservation, maintenance, and any necessary repair works of these protected monuments and areas. These efforts ensure the proper upkeep and protection of heritage structures within the state," he added.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
₹12 lakh allocated for conservation plan of Kundrandar Temple in Pudukkottai district
An annual conservation plan has been drawn up at an estimate of ₹12 lakh for the maintenance and conservation of the Kundrandar Temple in Pudukottai district for the current financial year. This has been disclosed by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in reply to a question raised by the Tiruchi Lok Sabha Member Durai Vaiko in the Parliament. The temple, also referred to as Kunnandarkovil, is situated about 35 km from Pudukottai. Vaiko had asked whether it was true that conservation and maintenance works at the temple had been halted or remained unattended for over 25 years and whether there was any plan to resume and complete the restoration and maintenance works at the site. in his reply, said the rock-cut Shiva temple, with its mandapam depicting wheels in the front, was a monument of national importance under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). 'Regular maintenance and conservation works are taken up periodically based on the requirement, priority and resources available... Maintenance and conservation of the maintenance are regular process of work and the ACP for the said monument is made for an amount of ₹12 lakh for this financial year,' the Minister said. The 412 protected monuments and areas under the jurisdiction of the ASI in Tamil Nadu, including the temple, were regularly maintained and conserved, he maintained. The officers of ASI conduct periodic inspections to monitor the status of conservation, maintenance and necessary repair works of these protected monuments and areas. These efforts ensure the proper upkeep and protection of heritage structures in the State, he added.
