Tuticorin Noted as Place of Weapons of Mass Destruction

The Global Security.org, an International Military and Security Website has placed Tuticorin in its website as a Place of Weapons of Mass Destruction and as India's Special Weapon Facility.

This is due to the Heavy Water Plant, located in Tuticorin City. As this plant Heavy Water and other materials for Nuclear Plants, our city has been under the watch of the International Security Agencies and also faces a threat from Terrorist Attacks.

See the listing here

Tuticorin Port sets record in handling Granite

On December 2nd Tuticorin Port set a new record by loading 8,710 Metric Tonnes of Granite to the vessel MV.VELASQUES at Berth No.8. This is the highest quantity of Granite loaded in a single day so far in the Port. The previous record was 8,638 Metric Tonnes on 22.5.2006 per vessel mv."WINDSOR CASTLE".

Tuticorin to Promote Tuna Fishing alon with other Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai

Tuna appears to be the marine product for the year, given the growing global interest. And if plans do not go haywire, India should see at least 3,000 tonne shipped out at an average price of $5 a kg.

Already higher Indian tuna grades (sashmi) are fetching as much as $17 and medium ones $7-8. Over the last one year Indian tuna has made it to major markets, especially Japan, at an astounding pace.

As part of the promotion of tuna fishing, the thrust areas would be Kochi, Tuticorin, Kollam, Chennai, Mangalore, Veraval, Vizag and Mumbai where there would be dedicated tuna-handling facilities.

Aquaculture, quality control and value-addition were the other areas which could help the sector in a big way in the coming years. The authority had several schemes, for this, in place, he added.

Seafood Exporters Association of India national president AJ Tharakan also felt that tuna, the third largest globally traded fish item after shrimp and cephalopods, was going to make waves for the country.

Source: Finiancial Express

Red Sanders worth Rs 72 lakh seized in Tuticorin

The Tuticorin Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized 501 logs of red sanders, which are valued at approximately Rs.72 lakh in the International Market on December 28th.

Dr P Babu, The Additional Director General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said that the wood, weighing 14.34 tonnes, was found at a container freight station, Thoothukudi.

According to the export documents, 400 bags of aluminium sulphate were to be exported to Malaysia in the name of a Thoothukudi-based company through the seaport.
An examination of the container revealed that it was stuffed with red sander logs and not aluminium sulphate.Further investigations are under progress.

Thoothukudi fishermen to keep off sea

In view of the second anniversary of the tsunami, more than 500 mechanised and country boat owners in the districts of Thoothukudi , have decided to abstain from fishing in seas on Tuesday (ie.) 26th December.

In order to pay tributes to those who had lost their lives in the tragedy, special prayers would be held in temples and churches at fishing hamlets in both districts.

Around 250 mechanised fishing boats and more than 200 country boats in Thoothukudi district would remain anchored on Tuesday, said an office-bearer of the Thoothukudi District Mechanised Fishing Boats’ Association.

Tuticorin Flight Timings

Air Deccan           Departure    Arrival
Chennai - Tuticorin   9.10 AM    10.30 AM
Tuticorin - Chennai  10.55 AM    12.20 PM

Tuticorin City Land Rates

The rate of the Lands in Tuticorin City is released by the Government Authorities. The rate per square feet ranges from Rs.150 to Rs.539. Here are the rates for places that come under various categories.

Tuticorin Urban

• Ettayapuram Road, Palayamkottai Road are classified as Level 1 Commercial areas. The land rate in these regions is Rs.370 per square feet.
• Jeyaraj Road, VVD Road are classified as Level 2 Commercial areas. The land rate is fixed as Rs.310 per square feet.
• First Level Residential Areas
  Mani Nagar, Meenakshi Puram East, Meenakshi Puram West, Doovypuram Main Road, 1st to 12th streets.
  Rate – Rs. 300 / Square feet.
• 2nd Level Residential Areas
  Ettayapuram Road Extension, Polepettai.
  Rate – Rs. 210 / Square feet.
• 3rd Level Residential Areas
  Ambedkar Nagar, Sundaravelpuram 1st to 5th Streets.
  Rate – Rs. 160 / Square feet.

Tuticorin Sub-Urban

• Level 1 Commercial Areas
  Devarpuram Road, East Car Street, East Car Street Extension, Ettayapuram Road , Ettayapuram Road Extension, North Car Street, North Sambanthamoorthy Street, Palayamkottai Road, Telegraph Office Road, VE Road, Mela Car Street, West Great Cotton (WGC) Road.
  Rate – Rs. 539 / Square feet.
• Level 3 Commercial Areas
  Andaal Street Rs. 351 / Square feet.
  Poldenpuram Rs 212 / Square feet.
• Level 1 Residential Areas
  Priyal Street, Jeyalani Street Extension, Perumalpuram, Subramaniapuram.
  Rate – Rs. 249 / Square feet.
• Level 2 residential Areas
  Alagesanpuram, St. Antony’s Church Road, Gibbsonpuram, Kanagasapapathi Street, Kumar Street, MK Street, Melashanmugapuram 1st & 2nd Streets, Melur Bangla Street, Muniyasamypuram 2nd Street, Muniyasamypuram Street Extension, Nandhagopalapuram, Nandhagopalapuram West, North Car Street Extension, Bathrakali Amman Kovil Street, Perumal Street, Polepettai, Rahamathullapuram (East), Rahamathullapuram (West), Ranganathapuram, Ranganathapuram East, Ranganathapuram West, Sankarapuram 7th Street, Vannar Street, Shanmugapuram, Sivan Kovil Street, Sivianthakulam 1st, 2nd & 6th Streets, South Puthu Theru (New Street), SPG Kovil Street, Subbiahpuram, Brahmin Colony, Theppakulam Street, Theppakulam 1st & 2nd Lanes, Vannar 5th & 6th Streets, Varadharaja Puram
  Rate – Rs. 212 / Square feet.
• Level 3 Residential Areas
  Alagesanpuram 2nd Street, Bala Ayya Nagar, Innasiyar Puram, Khandha Samy Puram, Kathireesan Kovil Street, Levingipuram 1st , 2nd & 3rd Streets, Nandhagopalapuram East, Nataraja Puram, Poltenpuram 1st, 2nd & 3rd Streets, Ramasamy Puram 1st, 2nd & 3rd Streets
  Rate – Rs. 182 / Square feet.
• Level 3 residential areas in Subramaniapuram Rs. 150 / Square feet.

If you’ve any complaints, doubts or suggestions regarding the rates you are requested to contact the Collector of Tuticorin District.
Source: Dina Thanthi (Dec. 19th)

Handicrafts Exhibition in Tuticorin

An exhibition on handicrafts from the state of Uttar Pradesh, “Kalanjali Craft Bazaar 2006” was launched on December 18th in Tuticorin. This exhibition is organized at Ramaiah Hall, Near Cruz Fernandez Statute in Tuticorin City.

More than 60 craftsmen have their handiworks displayed in this exhibition and they are also available for sale. A few self help Women Groups have also displayed their works here. The price of the products showcased here ranges between Rs. 10 and Rs.22000.

This exhibition showcases Teak wood products with decorations, Brass from Moradabad, Bangles from Jaipurlak, Terracotta Porcelain Products, Statutes, Handbags, Hyderabad Pearls, Rasi Stones, Jewellery and several handcrafted products for sale.

This exhibition is being held by the Association of Handicrafts Craftsmen of Uttar Pradesh. A discount of 10% on handicrafts and 20% discount on woven products are also provided.

The timings of this exhibition are from 10AM in the morning till 9PM in the evening. This exhibition will be conducted during the Christmas and New Year Holidays till 01.01.’07 (Wednesday).

SPIC Trophy district-level kabaddi tournament at Tuticorin

The SPIC Central Sports Council will organise the SPIC Trophy district-level kabaddi tournament at the SPIC Nagar ground (Tuticorin) under floodlights from January 19 to 21.

Entries close on January 10.

For details, contact P. Ramesh. Ph: 94434-55117.

Geeta Jeevan commissions various civic amenities in Tuticorin

The Minister for Animal Husbandry, P. Geeta Jeevan, inaugurated a milk booth and a computer-cum-copying centre at `Poomalai' marketing complex operated by the District Rural Development Agency at Tuticorin on 14th December.

The milk booth will be run by Vasuki women self-help group, and the copying centre by Arivoli women SHG. Both the groups are based in Tuticorin taluk.

While Indian Bank extended a credit of Rs. 2 lakh for the milk booth, Canara bank disbursed a loan of Rs. 3 lakh for the computer centre.

At the inaugural function, Ms. Jeevan gave away loans amounting to Rs. 17.17 lakh to 16 women self-help groups under a direct linkage scheme. Of the total loans, Rs. 9.67 lakh was disbursed by Pandian Grama Bank, Rs. 4.5 lakh by Indian Bank and Rs. 3 lakh by Canara Bank.

S. Somasundaram, branch manager, PGB, said the Tuticorin branch of his bank would extend credit to 300 women SHGs during this financial year. "Of the target envisaged, we had credit-linked 160 groups to the tune of Rs 150 lakh."

Automatic weather station set up at Tuticorin Fisheries College

Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) in association with the Indian Space Research Organisation and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has set up an automatic weather station (AWS) in Tuticorin Fisheries College.

The station was established at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh on the Fisheries College and Research Institute (FCRI) premises.

V.K. Venkataramani, Dean, FCRI, said the intelligent data-logger of the AWS made precise meteorological data available through an ultra high frequency (UHF) wireless link, which would be useful for various fishing-related activities, water management and disaster management.He said gadgets in the automatic station such as rain gauge sensor, solar radiation sensor, wind direction sensor, barometer, relative humidity and atmosphere temperature senor would provide readings pertaining to sunshine duration, relative humidity in percentage and wind direction in degree.

Data on clouds, precipitation, temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind and visibility would help fisherfolk identify `safer zones' for fishing and return to the shore without running into rough weather.

Dr. Venkataramani said the recorded data would be computed and automatically transmitted to the ISRO station in Bangalore via Kalpana, an artificial satellite positioned over 74 degree East longitudinal line.

He said plans were in the offing to add more features to the AWS, which would help in forecasting productive fishing zones in the Gulf of Mannar.

The second phase of dredging in Tuticorin fishing harbour

The second phase of dredging works at the fishing harbour at Tuticorin in India was inaugurated by Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T R Baalu, earlier this week.

"Under this phase, 60,000 cubic metres of silt will be removed from the harbour bay and the approach channel by the Kerala State Maritime Development Corporation Limited. The works will be completed before the end of the current fiscal," said the Minister.

Local news sources said the depth in the harbour will be increased to 3.3m. During the first phase, 35,000 cubic metres of silt was removed.

at the fishing harbour at Tuticorin in India was inaugurated by Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T R Baalu, earlier this week.

"Under this phase, 60,000 cubic metres of silt will be removed from the harbour bay and the approach channel by the Kerala State Maritime Development Corporation Limited. The works will be completed before the end of the current fiscal," said the Minister.

Local news sources said the depth in the harbour will be increased to 3.3m. During the first phase, 35,000 cubic metres of silt was removed.

Source: Dredging News Online

Doubling of the Villupuram-Tuticorin rail route at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore.

The four metros and 19 cities will have their railway stations improved to world-class standards with underground super markets like those in Russia and England, Velu said.

In Tamil Nadu, the electrification, broad-gauge conversion and doubling of the Villupuram-Tuticorin route will be done at an estimated cost of Rs 2,700 crore.

Source: Finiancial Express

Pakistan behind Explosives smuggling to Sri lanka through Tuticorin

The Indian and local media has highlighted attempts to smuggle in to
Sri Lanka via Palk Straits from India arms, explosives and accessories
to be used with explosives. There have also been incidents frequently
reported of attempts by the LTTE to smuggle arms into the north and
east of Sri Lanka.

The Hindu reported in September 2006 to a "major arms haul in A.P "
written by Suresh Krishnamoorthy with a photograph by K.Ramesh Babu of
Rocket launchers and empty shells seized from a transport company in
Mahabubnagar, Andhra Pradesh. The consignment consisted of 42 rocket
launches, 1000 empty shells and 35 improvised land mines to be used on
"police stations "according to the Police Chief Swaranjit Singh. The
arms haul included two tons of spares to rig 16 rocket launchers, 600
shells, high tensile springs used to propel explosives from shells,
fins that could be attached to shells...". It is significant that some
"rigs" for rocket launchers, hidden by the LTTE were recovered in the
Jaffna peninsula recently by Sri Lankan troops.

In Kozhikode, Kerala, the Hindu reported in an article titled "
Kozhikode coast turning into a hub of arms smuggling" dated 15.7.2006
that the Director General of the Coast Guard, Suresh Mehta has said
the area is fast becoming a center for "arms and narcotics smuggling".
It may be too early to draw conclusions whether the LTTE attempts to
smuggle "warlike material" has any links to these attempts as
investigations are still proceeding.

There was another report titled " 724 kg RDX seized, steps taken to
prevent smuggling of arms". The explosives amounting to about 724 kg
of High Explosive RDX type was seized by the Indian Security Forces
and the Indian police in different parts of the country. In 2005 about
1021 kgs were seized but there was no indication that it was smuggled
via Indian Airports.

The report also referred to action taken by the Government in New
Delhi to prevent arms been smuggled "across borders".

The latest reports in the Indian and local media refer to 400,000 non
- electrical detonators which were detected in Tamil Nadu. There were
also reports that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had ordered an
investigation on Saturday "after police detained a vehicle carrying a
large quantity of non -electrical detonators". An "official" on
condition of anonymity had stated the "Indian media described the
consignment as explosives which were shipped from Tuticorin to the SLN
(Sri Lanka Navy). This was a part of their strategy to conceal
clandestine LTTE operations in Tamil Nadu". The Indian police had
prevented "an attempt to move a consignment of gelex boosters to the
LTTE" The detection was made by the Manamadurai police and from Andhra

Pradesh. There is speculation that "Chennai is being used as a transit
point to move contraband across the Indo- Lanka maritime boundary".
However the Sri Lankan mission in Chennai had clarified that the order
for the 400,000 non electrical detonators had been placed last year
and had contacted the government "even before " the Chief Minister
ordered the probe". The report also states the Chief minister had
"ordered the probe after Union External Minister Pranab Mukerjee and
Defence Minister A.K.Anthony denied that the government allowed the
export of explosives to Sri Lanka".

According to media reports the SLN placed the order which as to be
"issued through the Commercial Explosives and Firearms Unit for
commercial purposes".

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy has "intercepted several vessels in the
Gulf of Mannar " in the year 2006 and there was an instance when the
Navy seized an Indian trawler with 60,000 electrical detonators
"destined for the LTTE".

An Associated Press report published on 16.11.2006 quoting the Sri
Lankan government spokesman states, "We now have credible evidence
(that) fishing trawlers registered in India are being used by the
Tiger's " and that the government has formally asked India to " take
steps to stop the alleged arms smuggling".

Source: nnseek.com

Qatar Tamizhar Sangham (QTS) submits plea to Upgrade Tuticorin Airport

THE Qatar Tamizhar Sangham (QTS) on Tuesday hosted a reception in honour of visiting Tamil Nadu Minister of Sports and Environment Affairs, Moideen Khan. The minister was in Qatar to attend the 15th Asian Games.

The QTS officials sought the intervention of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanadhi for the introduction of a direct flight from Chennai to Doha. They also submitted a memorandum on the issue to the minister.

The issue of upgrading the airport at Tuticorin also figured prominently at the meeting. This would immensely benefit non-resident Indians hailing from Ramnad, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts, QTS president A B K D Charles said at the meeting.

Source: Gulf Times

New desalinated water Plant in Tuticorin Soon

Under the technology, developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), warm water is pumped into a vacuum flash chamber and the resultant vapour is condensed using cold water to get crystal clear potable water.

'Not only is our desalinated water of a better quality, but the cost is only six paise per litre,' Dr S. Kathiroli, director NIOT, told IANS.

'Our attempt is to further reduce the cost to four paise per litre,' Kathiroli said while on a visit to the ministry of earth sciences, the nodal administrative centre for the institute.

According to the scientist, while drinking water requirement in Chennai was around 500 million litres a day, his institute hoped to supply one million litres from January next year.

'In January 2008, we plan to raise our desalination capacity to some 10 million litres per day.'

Kathiroli said the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LLTD) technology had been utilised by the institute in a pilot project of 100,000 litres a day set up on the Lakshadweep island of Kavaratti, where it has been meeting the drinking water demand since May 2005.

'Though the concept was known for long, due to practical difficulties it was never attempted. It offers a viable option for islands like Kavaratti where there is no other source of fresh water and the environment is fragile.'

According to Kathiroli, his institute has another pilot plant off Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu with a capacity of 100 cubic metres per day, which he said demonstrated that it was possible to produce good quality water continuously at a low cost.

NIOT, an autonomous society based in the Tamil Nadu capital, has also been working on developing technology to solve engineering problems associated with harvesting of non-living and living resources in Indian territorial waters, which is about two-thirds of the land area of the country.

'Once we have proved that it is possible to provide low cost drinking water using our new technology, which can be taken to any coastal location, we would like to partner private investors to provide the technology.'

Source: IndiaPRWire.com

Over 4 lakh to get free dhoties, sarees

Around 4,03,108 beneficiaries, having their annual income below Rs. 24,000, would receive dhoties and sarees under the free dhoties and sarees distribution scheme in Thoothukudi district, said District Collector R Palaniyandi here on Monday.

The State Government is distributing sarees and dhoties to the family card-holders, having a monthly income of below Rs. 2,000 every year at the time of Pongal festival.

This year, under the scheme, it has been planned to give the free dhoties and sarees to 4,03,108 family card-holders in the eight taluks in Thoothukudi district. Among the beneficiaries identified, as many as 3,07,280 have their monthly income below Rs. 1,000 and around 95,828 between Rs. 1,000 and 2,000.

Source: New Ind Press

Two more farmers' clubs formed in Tuticorin

Two farmers' clubs formed under the ambit of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) at Thirupanichettikulam and Valasakaranvilai under Srivaikundam block, were inaugurated by G. Venugopal, Senior Regional Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, on 8th December, 2006.

With this, a total of four Farmers' clubs had been formed in the district this week. On Thursday, two clubs at Puthumanai and Puliyanagar villages were opened.The two new clubs will be credit linked to Indian Overseas Bank, Sawyerpuram branch.

Each of the two newly formed clubs will have two office bearers headed by a Chief Co-ordinator and assisted by an Associate Co-ordinator. The clubs will raise their resources through contributions from its members and by undertaking certain business like procurement of inputs and collective marketing of agricultural produces.

These clubs would be a tool for the financial institutions not only in the matter of credit, but also in facilitating the promotion of self-help groups in their respective areas, micro credit and convergence of services.

The clubs would act as an informal village forum to transfer the latest agricultural practices from laboratory to the field.

TMB launches its 174th branch and Tuticorin's 4th Branch

The Tuticorin based Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd. today add a new branch branches to their network ,with the addition of our 174th branch at Tiruchendur Road, Kamaraj College Campus, Thoothukudi - 628 003. This is the Fourth branch in Tuticorin City.

Arms Smuggling to Sri Lanka through Tuticorin

The Indian and local media has highlighted attempts to smuggle in to Sri Lanka via Palk Straits from India arms, explosives and accessories to be used with explosives. There have also been incidents frequently reported of attempts by the LTTE to smuggle arms into the north and east of Sri Lanka.

The Hindu reported in September 2006 to a "major arms haul in A.P " written by Suresh Krishnamoorthy with a photograph by K.Ramesh Babu of Rocket launchers and empty shells seized from a transport company in Mahabubnagar, Andhra Pradesh. The consignment consisted of 42 rocket launches, 1000 empty shells and 35 improvised land mines to be used on "police stations "according to the Police Chief Swaranjit Singh. The arms haul included two tons of spares to rig 16 rocket launchers, 600 shells, high tensile springs used to propel explosives from shells, fins that could be attached to shells...". It is significant that some "rigs" for rocket launchers, hidden by the LTTE were recovered in the Jaffna peninsula recently by Sri Lankan troops.

In Kozhikode, Kerala, the Hindu reported in an article titled " Kozhikode coast turning into a hub of arms smuggling" dated 15.7.2006 that the Director General of the Coast Guard, Suresh Mehta has said the area is fast becoming a center for "arms and narcotics smuggling". It may be too early to draw conclusions whether the LTTE attempts to smuggle "warlike material" has any links to these attempts as investigations are still proceeding.

There was another report titled " 724 kg RDX seized, steps taken to prevent smuggling of arms". The explosives amounting to about 724 kg of High Explosive RDX type was seized by the Indian Security Forces and the Indian police in different parts of the country. In 2005 about 1021 kgs were seized but there was no indication that it was smuggled via Indian Airports.

The report also referred to action taken by the Government in New Delhi to prevent arms been smuggled "across borders".

The latest reports in the Indian and local media refer to 400,000 non – electrical detonators which were detected in Tamil Nadu. There were also reports that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had ordered an investigation on Saturday "after police detained a vehicle carrying a large quantity of non –electrical detonators". An "official" on condition of anonymity had stated the "Indian media described the consignment as explosives which were shipped from Tuticorin to the SLN (Sri Lanka Navy). This was a part of their strategy to conceal clandestine LTTE operations in Tamil Nadu". The Indian police had prevented "an attempt to move a consignment of gelex boosters to the LTTE" The detection was made by the Manamadurai police and from Andhra Pradesh. There is speculation that "Chennai is being used as a transit point to move contraband across the Indo- Lanka maritime boundary". However the Sri Lankan mission in Chennai had clarified that the order for the 400,000 non electrical detonators had been placed last year and had contacted the government "even before " the Chief Minister ordered the probe". The report also states the Chief minister had "ordered the probe after Union External Minister Pranab Mukerjee and Defence Minister A.K.Anthony denied that the government allowed the export of explosives to Sri Lanka".

According to media reports the SLN placed the order which as to be "issued through the Commercial Explosives and Firearms Unit for commercial purposes".

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy has "intercepted several vessels in the Gulf of Mannar " in the year 2006 and there was an instance when the Navy seized an Indian trawler with 60,000 electrical detonators "destined for the LTTE".

An Associated Press report published on 16.11.2006 quoting the Sri Lankan government spokesman states, "We now have credible evidence (that) fishing trawlers registered in India are being used by the Tiger's " and that the government has formally asked India to " take steps to stop the alleged arms smuggling".

Source: National Security Media Center, Sri Lanka

Ports to prepare Growth plans by January

The shipping ministry expects all the 12 major ports to file their business development plans in tune with global shipping trends by January 2007. While all the ports have appointed consultants, only a few have so far submitted interim reports.

The Indian Ports Association (IPA), the apex body of all ports under the ministry that will formulate the overall business policy, has appointed an apex consultant.

Ministry officials told FE that the business plan, a part of the national maritime policy, will be framed with a 20- year perspective but the action plan would be for seven years.

IPA consultant T Balakrishnan said, “The ministry has roped in Rotterdam port as the advising consultant and coordinator for the plan. The 12 major ports have appointed their own consultants through the global tender route.”

While Mumbai, Kandla and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust have appointed KPMG as their consultant, Kochi, Paradeep and Tuticorin have given Transcare the job. Vizag and New Mangalore have appointed Rotterdam Port, Ennore has appointed Hamburg. For the Kolkata Port Trust, which runs the port systems of Kolkata and Haldia, Royal Haskoning is doing the job with Crisil.

RK Jain, the IPA’s MD, said the interim reports received have already been forwarded to the ministry. “Although each port will have its own line of business development initiatives suiting its condition, a broad business development plan will evolve from each consultant’s study,” Jain said.

India needs to lower the transaction costs particularly for exports, as these have been going up.

Source: Finiancial Express

SPEED 2006 attracts investment in southern districts ,Textile Special Economic Zone in Tuticorin

Tuticorin gets Textile Special Economic Zone

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has mooted the formation of a joint body, including representatives of the Government and the industry, to facilitate a hassle-free industrialisation of southern districts.

Addressing media persons here on Monday on the impact of the recent three-day Southern Prosperity through Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) 2006, a meet organised to showcase the strengths of the southern districts, T. Kannan, its chairman, said that a joint body had become imperative when investors were looking at Madurai in a big way.

During the meet, industrial commitments to the tune of over Rs.5000 crore were made. They included Rs.4500 crore investment in a proposed IT park by RR Industries, Rs.120 crore in a heritage hotel, mall and a convention centre by ETL Infrastructure Services, Rs.10 crore in a rice bran oil refinery, Rs.30 crore in a joint venture by Madras Holland, Rs.450 crore in a textile special economic zone in Tuticorin and Rs.25 crore in a cancer hospital by Apollo Hospitals. These were in addition to the joint initiative of Thiagarajar College of Engineering with MICO (to train carpenters, electricians and plumbers) and TVS ICS for research in mobile connectivity.

The State Government, he said, should come out with a master plan for the development of southern districts, providing a clear perspective. The CII would create a special cell and similar cells had to be created in government departments and ELCOT for project information and development.

Security beefed up in Tuticorin

The police have beefed up the security in Tuticorin and other parts of the district in view of the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6.

Besides, night patrolling had been strengthened and pickets were established near the places of worship across Tuticorin district.

About 1,000 policemen had been used for bandobust duties.

Patrolling along State's coast to prevent heroin smuggling to Sri Lanka

Narcotic drug enforcement authorities have noticed a lull in smuggling of heroin to Sri Lanka from the Tamil Nadu Coast in the last one-and-a-half months.

The escalating conflict in the island nation and intensified patrolling along the State's coast by various agencies have considerably reduced smuggling activities.
Indian and Sri Lankan Navies have stepped up vigil. Following the seizure of a lathe machine off the Rameswaram coast, boosters from a vehicle at Othakadai near Manamadurai and a rocket packed in a wooden box near the International Maritime Boundary Line, the police have intensified patrolling along the coast.

Analysis of the seizures in October and November showed there had been a fall in the quantity of brown sugar smuggled to Sri Lanka. There was no major seizure in November, except a case at Tuticorin involving 1.960 kg.

Mr. Raghavan said within a week in October, the NCB seized about 30 kg of heroin, destined for Sri Lanka, from various places in the State. In one case, 16.05 kg of heroin was seized from two cars at Rose Garden junction, Udhagamandalam. Besides documents, Rs.1.55 lakh was seized.

Tuticorin Traders apprehensive of port at Colachel

The State Government’s appeal to the Central Government to develop the existing Colachel fishing harbour in Kanyakumari district into an international transshipment hub port has created apprehension among the business community here over the prospects of Tuticorin Port being severely affected or minimised to a considerable extent.

The expansion plan of the inner harbour and the outer harbour of the Tuticorin Port in a phased manner at a cost of Rs 4571.75 crore under the National Maritime Development Project (NMDP)-Phase I and II-will further enhance the port’s infrastructure.

Though some members of the Tuticorin Hub Port Development Council (THPDC) concede that Colachel has some advantages like the natural depth of about 15- meter-draft and the minimal distance from the major sea routes, they say that it cannot be a better choice than the Tuticorin Port, which receives more mainline vessels from Europe and the US next only to the Mumbai Port.

According to an expert study undertaken by Tuticorin Port Trust, a copy of which is available with ‘The New Indian Express,’ among Chennai, Cochin, Tuticorin, Colachel and Vizhinjam ports, Tuticorin Port has the best chance, followed by Chennai and Cochin, to be developed into a transshipment port in South India.

Even in terms of the network of established services, hinterland, connectivity (including the ongoing projects) and the existence of established port facilities, Tuticorin had an edge over any other port in the south, it said.

The study further revealed that weather played an important part in Tuticorin Port scoring over the proposed Colachel Port. The sea off Colachel was rough and unstable by nature, unlike off Tuticorin Port. During the tsunami havoc two years ago, no big damage was caused to Tuticorin Port whereas Colachel was one of the worst tsunami-hit areas in the country, the study further stated.

The only advantage of the Colachel Port was its strategic location on the east-west sea routes, it said.

Though the members brushed aside the advantage, they did not rule out the possibility of development of Coalcehl into a port becoming detrimental to the interests of the Tuticorin Port as the construction of the Navha Sevah Port affected the business prospects of the Mumbai Port.

CPM district secretary Kanagaraj, whose party in Kanyakumari district is lobbying for the Colachel Port, said the importance being given to setting up an international transshipment port at Colachel would create a favourable situation to Vizhinjam for which the Kerala Government was lobbying hard.

Colachel, being situated within 40km from Vizhinjam Port, too would be another advantage for Kerala’s claim for making Vizhinjam a transshipment port,’ Kanagaraj claimed.

“Colachel fishing harbour, which is located very close to the residential area, could at best be a modern fishing harbour”, he observed.

The sea off Colachel is rough and unstable by nature, unlike the one off Tuticorin Port

Source: NewIndPress

LTTE Smuggle through Tuticorin

The LTTE drug business is a multi faceted trade and a well-organised outfit. They are closely knit and dictatorial in their niche. This makes infiltration in to these organisations almost impossible unless well-trained and intelligent. It is proven that the LTTE has exchanges with the Asian drug business. LTTE has links to the ‘Golden Triangle’ and the ‘Golden Crescent’ via Thamil Nadu and officials have proof stating that these drugs are smuggled out from India from the famous South Indian coastal area ‘Tuticorin’. The historical notorious smuggling port of Sri Lankan Northern peninsula, Velvetithurai a.k.a. VVT, the home of the tiger ruler Prabhakaran and many leaders of their ‘core’ groups, smuggles in not only drugs but also weapons, injured cardres, medicines, expertise and all necessities to wage the combat against the Sri Lankan government.

Source: Lankans Online

Tuticorin Railway Station identified as Model Station

The following stations have also been identified for development as Model stations in the State of Tamil Nadu:

Arakkonam Jn., Chengalpattu, Chennai Beach, Coimbatore, Erode Jn., Kanniyakumari, katapadi, Madurai, Mambalam, Rameswaram, Salem Jn., Tiruchchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Tiruttani, Tuticorin, Jolarpettai, Dindigul, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Nagercoil, Ambur, Kovilpatti, Virudhunagar, Villupuram Jn. and Hosur.

This information was given by Shri R.Velu, Minister of State for Railways in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Source: Press Information Bureau

Tuticorin Technical Institutes come under Anna University, Tirchy

Two more technical universities will be established at Tiruchi and Coimbatore. The Assembly passed the Bills on Thursday.

The new universities will be named Anna University, Tiruchirapalli, and Anna University, Coimbatore. The existing Anna University will be known as Anna University, Chennai.

Replying to the debate, Minister for Higher Education K. Ponmudi said managing the affairs of more than 240 affiliated engineering colleges in the State had become a near impossibility. To ensure better and effective monitoring of the colleges the new universities were being set up.

About 150 engineering colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Vellore, Thiruvannamalai and Villupuram districts will come under the purview of Anna University, Chennai. The Tiruchi university will have control over 75 engineering colleges in Tiruchi, Cuddalore, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Virudhunagar, Nagapatinam, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, Thanjavur, Perambalur, and Thiruvarur districts.

A total of 53 engineering colleges in Coimbatore, Dindigul, Erode, Karur, the Nilgiris, Theni, Dharamapuri, Krishnagiri, Namakkal and Salem districts will be affiliated to Anna University, Coimbatore. The new entities will be independent and have separate vice-chancellors and registrars.

Source: The Hindu

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank gets new MD

G Narayana Moorthy has taken over as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd.

The Reserve Bank of India has approved his appointment for a period of two years, the Tuticorin-based bank said in a statement.

Credited with long years of service with public sector banks, Moorthy has served Canara Bank for 30 years in various positions and Indian Overseas Bank for 5 years as General Manager and Chief Vigilance Officer.

Source: Chennai Online

Rs.17 crore granted to Tuticorin Medical College

V.K. Subburaj, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department, said that the modalities for implementation of the Rs.2500-crore scheme to provide modernised infrastructure to medical colleges with hospitals in the State were being worked out. Among the grants made recently to medical colleges, he listed Rs.17 crore granted to Tuticorin, Rs.24 crore to Thanjavur and Rs.5 crore to Stanley Medical College in Chennai. The project of computerising and providing upgraded infrastructure to the district and taluk hospitals at a cost of Rs. 480 crore was expected to be completed in a year.

NABARD to set up fish farmers' club in Tuticorin

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development will establish a fish farmers' club for the first time in the district under the Vikas Volunteer Vahini scheme.

Official sources said the proposed club would come up shortly at Taruvaikulam, one of the most prominent fishing hamlets in the district, with about 20 fishermen in its fold. Earlier, all of the 19 clubs formed in the district under VVV scheme of the NABARD comprised agricultural farmers. (i.e. this is the first time the club was going to be formed exclusively for fish farmers)

Speaking to The Hindu, R Bharat Kumar, Assistant General Manager, NABARD, said the main objective of forming the club was to make the farmers' help the banks to know the credit needs of the respective villages and thereby strengthen the credit delivery system in the rural areas.

About the activities of the club, Mr. Kumar said the members would be convening regular meetings to discuss various topics pertaining to fishing and its related activities and measures that need to be adopted to bring on value-addition to their profession.

Besides, plans for product diversification and adoption of techniques like crab and lobster fattening, that fetch better unit value realization would come up for discussion in the meetings.

The NABARD official said the members of the club would also contemplate alternative income generation activities like seaweed culture, which need to be practised during the lean fishing seasons.

"This will avoid over dependence of fishing alone," he added.

On the financial assistance to the club, he said the NABARD would provide Rs.3,000 each year as maintenance grant, apart from meeting the expenses of seminars and exposure visits conducted by the club.

"By providing fianancial aid for seminars and exposure visits, fish farmers would be able to get a platform to assimilate latest fish farming techniques prevailed elsewhere," he added.

To meet the credit needs of its members, the club would tie-up with one of the regional rural banks in the district, Pandyan Grama Bank, Taruvaikulam branch.

Mr. Kumar said the tie-up would be of immense use to the bank too, as the club in return would help the bank in identifying fresh borrowers from the area and assist the bank officials in their loan recovery drives.

Thus the club would act as a bridge between the branch and the village.

Source: The Hindu

50,000 jobs in Information and Communication Technology sector over 5 years in Southern Districts of Tamilnadu

Having a good business environment, abundant availability of skilled manpower and quality educational institutions, Madurai and other southern districts of Tamil Nadu, had a potential to create 50,000 jobs in the information and communication technology sector over next five years.

Addressing Connect Madurai 2006, organised as part of Speed 2006, Gopal Srinivasan, chairman, Connect 2006, said the ICT sector could generate a revenue of Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion) to Rs 4,000 crore (Rs 40 billion) to the local economy, thus triggering the overall growth of the region.

Madurai and other southern districts including Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Ramanathanpuram and Kanniyakumari, could be key contributors to the state in achieving the envisaged target of $25 billion ICT revenue, contributing 25 per cent to the country's IT exports, over the next five years.

At present, the state's ICT revenue is $4 billion, which is 14 per cent of the country's ICT revenue.

Madurai and southern districts produce over 15,000 engineering graduates annually, 6,000 of whom are being hired by companies in Chennai and Bangalore. These districts contribute around 19 per cent of the state's GDP (2003-04).

Source: Rediff

Sethusamudram project to aid coastal villages

The Sethusamudram Corporation Limited has identified as many as 12 coastal villages in Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram districts, for creation of micro infrastructure under the coastal community development programme.

The corporation has sanctioned Rs. 32.15 lakh for developing micro infrastructure such as construction of school buildings, provision of solar street lights and improvement of water supply, said its chairman and Managing Director N K Raghupathy in a statement.

The coastal areas covered under the first phase of the programme include Periyasamipuram and Thoothukudi town in Thoothukudi district, Mukuntharayar Chatram, Dhanushkodi, Thavukaadu, Kambipaadu and Chinnapalam, Mangaadu, Sambai, Olaikuda, Karaiyur, Vadakaadu, Ramakrishnapuram and Muthuramalinga Thevar Nagar in Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district.

According to Raghupathy, the detailed project report of the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project (SSCP) provided funds up to Rs 60 crore for the development of facilities in the project area, which would directly benefit the local population, especially fishermen, of which Rs 5 crore is earmarked for provision of micro infrastructure in coastal villages.

It has also been proposed to the Government that funds up to Rs 5 lakh per village could be utilised under the scheme, so that 100 villages could be benefited, he pointed out.

Micro development projects had been taken up in accordance with the general condition laid by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, to take appropriate community development and welfare measures, including drinking water facilities for villagers in the vicinity of the project site.

The Government, he said, had also laid among other things, a specific condition to provide sustainable opportunities to coastal community, allocating appropriate budgetary provision in the project cost in a bid to offset any impact on the fisheries.

Source: New Ind Press

More cruise ships to Tuticorin,if road links are developed

Tuticorin Port, which has better facilities than Panama, would be able to attract more cruise ships carrying tourists if road links to tourist centres like Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram and Kanyakumari were developed, Port Trust Chairman N K Raghupathy said at SPEED held in Madurai.

Speaking at a conference on "Development of Cruise Tourism and air connectivity in Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu", he said that the Port had invested in a cargo complex and on developing the Tuticorin-Tirunelveli National Highway. It has all advantages like a clear water harbour and clean berths and is ideally located, just eight hours from Colombo port, which receives many international cruise ships, he said.

He suggested that the Tuticorin airport be upgraded along with Madurai, to enhance tourist inflow.

Observing that cruise ships berth only for a day at the Port, which offers 33.33 per cent concession, he said tourists should be taken to the nearest tourist spots within five or six hours and brought back. "But this will be possible only if there were good road links," he said.

On the potential benefits, he said each cruise traveller spends about $500. "If 200 passengers arrive in a cruise ship, we can imagine how much they will spend."

He said, productivity at the Port had been affected as the infrastructure was not enough to handle more ships calling on the port. But steps were being taken to improve facilities.

He said, environmental clearance for the second container terminal had been given and it would come up before 2008. Due to optimum utilisation of facilities, the number of ships waiting outside the port had come down to 13 from 23, he said.

Sterlite Tuticorin copper smelter to expand its capacity

The Tuticorin copper smelter to expand its capacity to 4,00,000 tpa, is now complete and the smelter is now fully operational. This increase in capacity 1,00,000 tpa has been achieved ahead of schedule.

The smelting and refining costs at Tuticorin are one of the lowest worldwide and were at a level of US cents 5.2 per pound for the six months ended on September 30, 2006. The above expansion will further help in reducing the costs of production.

Source: Business Standard

Need for developing Tuticorin Port stressed

The Tuticorin Port should be developed in order to promote ‘cruise’ tourism, said Tuticorin Port Trust (TPT) Chairman N K Raghupathy.

Speaking at the CII’s ‘SPEED 2006’ conference on ‘Development of cruise tourism and air connectivity in southern districts of Tamil Nadu’, he said the Tuticorin port, which had ‘‘better facilities than Panama’’, would be able to attract more cruise ships carrying tourists if road links to places of tourist importance like Rameswaram and Kanyakumari were developed.

The port, he said, had all advantages like a clear water harbour and clean berths and was ideally located, providing an ingress to South Tamil Nadu.

Source: New Ind Press

Geeta Jeevan inaugurates 54 anganwadis in Tuticorin

A total of 54 anganwadis, established under the Integrated Child Development Scheme, started functioning in the district on 1st Dec.

At a function held at Davispuram near Tuticorin, the Minister for Animal Husbandry, P. Geeta Jeevan, dedicated the anganwadis to the public. With this, the total number of anganwadis rose to 1,310. Official sources said so far, 31,117 children aged between three and six years were studying at the 1,256 anganwadis (i.e. excluding the 54).

All the children enrolled at the anganwadis were provided with nutritious meal in the afternoon.

The Collector, R. Palaniyandi, said that children from six to 36 months old, totalling 16,158, were given `weaning' food at the 1,256 anganwadis at the moment.

Besides, 12, 469 breastfeeding and pregnant women were supplemented with nutrient food through the anganwadis in toto.

Pensioners, numbering 220, were given lunch daily at the anganwadis across the district.

Tuticorin lacks Infrastructure development says Finance Minister Chidambaram

Claiming that India is riding an "investment boom" whose growth had touched 57 per cent, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said this should be maintained for the next four to five years to sustain economic growth of eight to nine per cent.

Delivering a special address at "Speed 2006 - conference on southern prosperity through enhanced economic development", he said India should welcome investments from any source -- private, public or foreign.

Investements are needed for infrastructure development, which should keep pace with economic growth or else productivity would be affected as in the case of Tuticorin Port, Chidambaram said.

Many foreign investors were willing to invest in India because there was saturation of investments in their countries. "They should be welcomed to develop this country," he said.

Attributing the telecom sector's success in India to competition between the private and public sectors, he said if other industries were to succeed, there should be similar competition.

"Though the government has decontrolled and the licence raj has gone, a few departments are still controlled (by the government). I am not satisfied with the present investments by the private sector. They should be given more space in investments," he said.

Save Rajaji Park !!

Tuticorin Medical college is planning to construct hospital which will be the extension of the current Govt. Hospital. The location chosen as of now is Rajaji Park which is known as Water Tank situated near the current Govt. Hospital .Other location for the construction is near to the Medical college.

As per the All India Medical Councel ,hospital has to be situated near the college . we hope and wish the hopital is constructed near to the College.

Already we lost Evans Park to All India Radio, opp. to VOC College.

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited is 85 years old

The 85th anniversary celebrations of Tuticorin based Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited were held with pomp and gaiety here recently.

Commemorating the occasion, the bank disbursed the sanction orders/proceeds of loans worth Rs.273.9 lakh to members of various self-help groups and individuals.Of this, Rs.87.28 lakh was given to 87 self-help groups for different economic activities, Rs.13.27 lakh to 25 beneficiaries covered under Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojana scheme, Rs 6.58 lakh to two students to pursue higher education, Rs.18 lakh to three industrial units classified as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Rs.61 lakh to 12 individuals as home loans. P.R. Varatharajan, General Manager, TMBL, said so far, the bank had credit linked 1,409 self-help groups to the tune of Rs.11.43 crore, which included the 87 groups financed at the function. Earlier, TMBL Director, Prem Vetty, inaugurated the 41st ATM of the bank.

Aravind eye clinic inaugurated in Tuticorin

A community eye clinic, established by Aravind Eye Hospital here started functioning from 27th November, at Chidrambara Nagar.

The clinic is equipped with an outpatient department, manned by two ophthalmologists and eight paramedical staff, to test disorders and diseases such as refractive errors, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, among others.

Modern eye testing gadgets such as slit lamp bio-microscope to screen the retina and the nervous system and auto refractometer to check eye power and refractive errors had been installed.

A `non contact tonometre,' an instrument to test eye pressure without making contact with eye, and facilities for optical grinding and fitting of spectacles were also there. The clinic would treat squint eye, refractive errors and cataract in children.

The hospital plans establish `vision centres' at Srivaikundam in Tuticorin district.