One can interpret it that way. But yes, from what all I have heard regarding it's inauguration, Coromandel was launched as a Rajdhani equivalent of East Coast. It could not get the official Rajdhani tag as it was not travelling to Delhi. Back then, it would cover the distance between HWH-MAS in 25 hours both ways. Take a look at its original TT. People like Mani Vijay Sir, who were present in 1977 can comment better. I was born in 1988. :)