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