Tuticorin or Thoothukudi

Thoothukudi also known as Tuticorin, is a port city in Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Thoothukudi is also known as "Pearl City". It is a commercial seaport which serves the inland cities of Southern India and is one of the sea gateways of Tamil Nadu.

It is also one of the major seaports in India with a history dating back to the 6th century AD. It is located about 190 kilometers (118 mi) northeast of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and 590 kilometres (367 mi) south of Chennai.

History of Tuticorin

Thoothukudi is part of the Pearl Fishery Coast, and is known for its pearl fishing and shipbuilding industries. Thoothukudi became the centre[citation needed] of the Indian Independence Movement in the early 20th century, with leaders such as Tyagi Mohanavalli Vadivu and Thalapathy Vennikalady, Veerapandiya Kattabomman, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, P.Kandasamy Pillai (popularly known as 'Pena Kana'), Tamil poet Subramanya Bharathy, Vanchinathan and Maveeran Sundaralinga Kudumbanar. In 1906, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai with the help of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, launched the first Swadeshi ship S.S. Gaelia from this port town against the British. Freedom fighter Vanchinathan killed the then Tirunelveli District Collector Ash during the freedom struggle in Maniyachi.

Port of Tuticorin during the Madras Presidency, c.a. 1913The major harbour of Thoothukudi is well known as a pearl diving and fishing centre. It is one of the oldest seaports in the world and was the seaport of the Pandyan kingdom after Korkai, near Palayakayal. It was later taken over by the Portuguese in 1548, captured by the Dutch in 1658, and ceded to the British in 1825.[2] The lighthouse built in 1842 marked the beginning of the history of harbour development in the city. Thoothukudi was established as a Municipality in 1866 with Roche Victoria as its first chairman. It attained the status of Corporation on August 5, 2008 after 142 years

Thoothukudi has been a centre for maritime trade and pearl fishery for more than a century. Its natural harbour with a rich hinterland, facilitated development of the port. Thoothukudi was declared as a minor anchorage port in 1868. In 1906, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai launched the first swadeshi ship S.S. Gaelia in British India from Thoothukudi Port. After Independence, the minor Port of Thoothukudi witnessed a flourishing trade and handled a variety of cargo.

To cope with the increasing trade through Thoothukudi, the Government of India sanctioned the construction of an all-weather Port at Thoothukudi. On 11 July 1974, the newly-constructed Thoothukudi port was declared to be the tenth major port in India Second only to JN Port (Mumbai) in size. Thoothukudi is an artificial port.[3] This is the third international port in Tamil Nadu and its second all-weather port.[4] The port is also helping increase the tourism in the region. A new ferry has been commenced between Thoothukudi and Colombo.

Thoothukudi is one of the very few ports of India where Mechanised Sailing Vessels are operated. These vessels are operated at the Old Port which is termed by the port authorities as Zone B

Fisheries

Marine fishing, Pearl and Valamburi Chunk fishing are famous in this district from the time immemorial. Thoothukudi is the main centre for deep sea fishing in the district which has a lengthy coast-line of about 140 km. Prawn culture was important and earned a considerable amount of foreign exchange. Now the prawn culture has been banned by the Supreme Court of India due to pollution issues. Thoothukudi Fishing industry thrives since this is the place known to attract varieties of fish daily unlike other centres. Fishes caught here are either sold locally or exported. Tuna which is caught here is dried and sold as Maasi. Dry fish from Thoothukudi is sent to Sri Lanka and many parts of South India. The fish-cake produced here are used for food for prawns and other fishes. There are 11 marine fishing villages.

RailwaysTuticorin is one of the oldest railway stations in India.

South Indian Railway began Madras - Tuticorin service connecting with the boat to Ceylon in 1899.[8]
Tuticorin City Railway Station is declared as a Model Station[9] and several infrastructure developments are in process.
Tuticorin City has two Railway Stations Tuticorin Melur (Station Code:TME) and Tuticorin (Station Code:TN).[10]
Currently the proposals for double lining from Dindugul to Tuticorin is approved by the Ministry of Railways and funds are allocated for electrification of the Madurai - Tuticorin line which is expected to be completed by March 2012.

A proposal for connecting Karakudi - Kanyakumari through Ramand, Tuticorin and Tiruchendur is under survey.
The demand for overnight Train to Coimbatore is under consideration by railway authorities as local people have done protests and have demanded to union minster M.K. Azhagiri.

The major trains From Tuticorin

Pearl City Express, Tuticorin(12693) - Chennai(12694)
Tuticorin - Mysore Express
Tuticorin - Tirunelveli Passenger
Tuticorin - Tirunelveli - Tiruchendur Passenger
Maniyachi is the most important railway station in linking Tuticorin with all other stations, like the gate way to Tuticorin

CuisineTuticorin is famous for Macaroon (a biscuit or cookie made up of egg white, cashew, sugar and yeast).
Plum cakes, Ghee candies, Fruit Mixer juice (Pazharasam in Tamil), Dried Ginger water (Chukku Venneer in Tamil), are also popular here.
"Tuticorin Paraota" (roasted bread) is special as the roasted wheat is deepfried in oil and the curry (salna) is spicy and tasty.
Late Night eateries can be found near Fishing Harbour in Beach Road.

Hotels in Tuticorin

Hotel Jony International (P) Ltd Share

Hotel Jony International (P) Ltd,
264, V.E. Road,
Tuticorin, Tamil nadu, India
Phone No :+91 - 461 - 2328350.


Chitra Lodge Share

Chitra Lodge
54 D Gin Factory Road,
Tuticorin, Tamil nadu, India

Geetha International Share

Geetha International,
1/9, Polepettai
Tuticorin, Tamil nadu, India - 628002

Phone number - +91 0461 2346174, +91 0461 2346874, +91 0461 2346974
Fax - +91 461 2346014
Email - hotelgeetha@hotmail.com

Facilities
Very close to New Bus stand and Railway station
Phone in all rooms with ISD & STD
Laundry service & Hot water
Lift
Bar A/c
Veg. Restaurant
Roof top Non-Veg. Restaurant
Conference Hall
Doctor on call
Cable connection
Credit card accepted
24hrs check-out


Hotel Ahswin Share

Hotel Ahswin
167, Devarpuram, Tuticorin,
Tamil nadu, India

Ramaia Lodge Share

Ramaia Lodge
16A Paalai Road,


Hotel Paulsons Share

Hotel Paulsons,
182, Ettayapuram Road,
Tuticorin - 628002
Phone no: 2320839, 23225279, 2327052, 2327053

Facilities
Single, Double, Triple, Family Bed Rooms, A/c Rooms
All Rooms equipped with T.V. and phone
Laundry Service
Hot water
24 hours Room service
Conference Hall

Tourist car Available.

Sathya Park & Resorts Pvt. Ltd., palayamkottai road, Maravanmadam, Tuticorin - 628 101 Phone number: +91 461 5534985


Hotel Sugam Share

Hotel Sugam,
207, V.E. Road, Tuticorin - 628003
Phone number: +91 461 2328172 / 272 / 372 / 472 / 572 / 672 / 772/ 872
Fax: +91 461 2328162

Open restaruant - Chinese, Indian, North Indian foods available
Open Bar



Tuticorin has adequate Transport facilities by Road, Rail and Sea.

The road transport is mainly operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd. According to the Regional Transport Officer, Thoothukudi, 217 routes are operated by State owned transport corporation and 110 routes are operated by private transport operators. The fleet strength of the Corporation is 875 buses covering Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi district.

The total Train route length is 107 Km. and the total number of Railway stations is 23.

The Thoothukudi Port is also one of the biggest ports in India and mainly used for Cargo.

Tranport

The only one Air port in this district at Vagaikulam of Thoothukudi taluk was opened for traffic on 30.4.92 for Vayudoot Services only. Earlier stage the Air port was closed as there was not more traffic. Now it is opened for domestic transport. The Airport runway is being extended to facilitate landing of large airplanes and the night landing facility will be established soon

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