Judge from Germany visits Tuticorin to gain an insight into judicial system

Raimund Scherr, a judge from the constitutional court of Germany, completed a two-day visit to the Tuticorin city on Monday, as part of a project to study the judicial and criminal justice system in this part of the country.

He made a surprise visit to the North police station on Sunday and exchanged information with the police officials.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police (Town sub-division), Mohammed Ghori, explained to the German judge how a First Information Report (FIR) was registered soon after the occurrence of a crime.

Mr. Scherr told the police officials that top priority was given to human rights by the police and the judicial system in Germany.

He explained to them the procedures followed in the criminal justice system there.

On Monday morning, he visited the District Court complex and Tuticorin Bar Association office and interacted with the District Judge P. Gokul Das, Chief Judicial Magistrate Prabhudas, Judicial Magistrates and senior lawyers.

Shobana dazzles Tuticorin with eclectic performance

With a vibrant dance performance, Shobana, a national-award winning actress and danseuse, kept the audience spellbound at Abirami Mahal here on Sunday.


A disciple of Chitra Visweswaran and Padma Subramaniam, she presented a blend of dance forms at `Dance Fusion,' a programme organised by Kerala Samajam, Tuticorin chapter.

The programme started with a performance titled `Anjali' with music composed by violin maestros Ganesh and Kumaresh. Ms Shobana and her troupe followed it with a few numbers describing Shiva.

The recital of traditional `Kailasavasa Varnam,' with the lyrics in Malayalam, was eclectic and the dancers performed it with consummate ease. A powerful inner rhythm guiding her, Shobana recited `Shyama', one of her offerings.

The one-and-a-half hour show ended with a dance played to the tune of `Vande Mataram,' composed by A. R. Rahman.

According to Kerala Samajam sources, a major portion of the earnings from the show will be utilised for social causes.

Source: The Hindu

1,172 free TV sets to be distributed in Tuticorin

Collector R. Palaniyandi has said that the administration had made elaborate arrangements for the second phase of free distribution of colour television sets in the district from February 15.

Speaking to presspersons in Tuticorin on Monday, he said that a 1,172 television sets would be distributed to the poor from one village panchayat at each of the seven Assembly constituencies in the district.

Of the 1,172 beneficiaries identified, 94 were from Rajavinkoil village panchayat (Ottapidaram constituency), 116 from Kumarasakkanapuram (Vilathikulam), 185 from Sinthalakarai (Kovilpatti), 155 from Alikudi (Sattankulam), 159 from Vadakusilukai (Srivaikundam), 104 from Melapudukudi (Tiruchendur) and 359 were from Mullakadu (Tuticorin).

In the subsequent months, we have planned to distribute colour television sets at a rate of 7,000 sets a month, to reach the target of 80,000 envisaged for the district, before December 31," Dr. Palaniyandi said.

On the selection of beneficiaries, he said that the TVs were distributed to ration card holders who did not own a colour television set.

Besides, the beneficiary should be a resident of a village panchayat having power and cable TV connection.

The Collector said that 4,900 free Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections would be distributed under `free gas connection scheme' in the district on February 25, as part of the second phase of distribution.

Of them, 700 persons from Tuticorin taluk and 600 each from Srivaikundam, Tiruchendur, Sattankulam, Kovilpatti, Vilathikulam, Ottapidaram and Ettayapuram taluks, would receive the connection and stove.

Under the third phase of distribution, 2,486 poor persons, who face hardships in cooking by using kerosene and firewood, would be benefited.

Later, the Collector gave away welfare assistance worth Rs 35,000 to three beneficiaries, under various government schemes, at the grievance day meeting at the Collectorate.

Source: The Hindu

Team from Japan visits Tuticorin

A five-member technical team from Pan Pacific Copper, Japan, visited the Tuticorin City recently to study the industrial practices followed here.

They held an interaction with top officials from Sterlite Copper, an industrial house situated at SIPCOT Industrial Estate off Tuticorin-Madurai Highway.

Kishore Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Sterlite Industries (I) Limited, explained to foreign delegates the safety, quality, human resources and environment norms followed by the company to comply with international market specifications.

In return, the Japanese team shared their experience in the manufacturing of refined copper and precious metals since the company was established by Nippon Mining and Metals and Mitsui Mining and Smelting in October 2000.They explained how the firm tapped the potential for copper in East Asia as the demand rose in tandem with the economic development of the region over the last few years.

Diamond jubilee celebration of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute held in Tuticorin

A yearlong diamond jubilee celebration of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), under the Union Ministry of Agriculture, commenced in Tuticorin recently .

The institute organised an exhibition on its premises to elucidate the culture of pearl and oyster, seed production of sea cucumbers and marine biodiversity of the Gulf of Mannar to college and schools students.

Different varieties of ornamental fish such as groupers and cat fish, along with sponges and corals, were displayed. The marine aquarium on the premises was thrown open to visitors. The institute plans to conduct quiz and elocution competitions for children and hold `brainstorming' sessions to disseminate information on marine creatures through out the year.

The Principal Scientist at CMFRI, P. Muthiah, said that the institute would intensify research to develop technologies for breeding and seed production of groupers, ornamental fish and sea breams in the diamond jubilee year.

Besides, plans are afoot to strengthen the database on marine fish landings through enhanced surveys.

Hostels for SC, ST students opened in Tuticorin

The Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare, A. Tamilarasi, laid the foundation stone for two community halls and inaugurated four hostels for SC/ST students in various parts of the district on 3rd January.

Official sources said that the community halls, coming up at Adi Dravidar colonies in Muthammalpuram and Ottudanpatti, would be established on an outlay of Rs six lakh each.

The Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO) would complete the construction of both the halls during the first quarter of the next fiscal (2007-08), the sources said. Of the four new hostel buildings opened, one each was established at Chillankulam and M.K.Nagar, and two at Subbammalpuram, all under Ottapidaram taluk. The Minister for Animal Husbandry, P. Geetha Jeevan, the Collector, R. Palaniyandi, and the Secretary (Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare) to the Government, P.A. Ramiah, were present.

`Fisfest' - Inter-collegiate cultural fest held in Tuticorin

The 10th inter-collegiate cultural competitions, `Fisfest', conducted by Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tuticorin concluded on 2nd January.

In all, 250 students from 13 colleges took part in the event. Competitions were held in vocal, group dance, instrumental music, flower arrangement, rangoli and painting.

Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Virudhunagar, and M.D.T. Hindu College, Tirunelveli, bagged the overall first and second prizes.

Janani of Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Virudhunagar, and Franklin of M.D.T. Hindu College, Tirunelveli, were adjudged `Miss Fisfest' and `Mr. Fisfest' respectively for bagging the maximum number of individual titles.

A. Christian, Managing Director, Britto Seafoods, distributed prizes. V.K. Venkataramani, Dean, FCRI, was present.

New Buses from Tuticorin connecting Coimbatore, Salem and Tirupur flagged off

3 Buses to Conect Tuticorin with Coimbatore, Salem and Tirupur, at a cost of Rs.11 lakhs each.

The Minister for Animal Husbandry, P. Geetha Jeevan, flagged off four new bus services of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) and State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) at the Tuticorin New Bus Stand yesterday.

Three of the services are being operated by TNSTC from Tuticorin to Coimbatore, Salem and Tirupur daily in both directions. Newly built buses, each costing Rs 11 lakh, have been brought in.

The other daily service, operated by SETC on ultra deluxe bus, is between Eral near here to Chennai via Tuticorin, Aruppukottai, Madurai, Tiruchi, Ulundurpet and Villupuram.

Official sources said that the tariff for Tuticorin-Salem service (via Aruppukotai, Madurai, Dindigul, Karur and Namakkal) was fixed at Rs. 130, while Coimbatore bound passengers would be charged Rs. 117. The fare from Tuticorin to Tirupur was fixed at Rs 106.

Ms. Jeevan said that about 25 demands of bus passengers and various trade associations in the district pertaining to new services and extension of existing services were redressed by the State Government in the last eight months.

R. Palaniyandi, Collector, complimented the TNSTC, Tirunelveli Division, for improving the average fuel efficiency from 4.15 km for every litre of diesel to 5.15 km during the current fiscal.

Manonmaniam Sundaranar University conducts workshop on career guidance in Tuticorin

The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University conducted a workshop on `Personal effectiveness, healthcare and career guidance,' at V.O.C. College, yesterday, as part of human resource development programme for the youth.

Interacting with students from different colleges, X. Rosary Mary, Director, Department of Youth Welfare at the varsity, stressed upon the need for a paradigm shift from efficiency to effectiveness for overall growth of human beings, especially youth.

"What's the use of a person possessing efficiency in abundance without knowing how to use it effectively," she said, adding that, "effectiveness implies awareness of where one is heading."

Ms. Mary explained the concept of `theme centred interaction' (TCI), a participatory learning method to facilitate personality development.

Resource persons from different walks of life took classes on `career guidance' and `healthcare' during the afternoon session.

Students from 21 colleges affiliated to Manomaniam Sundaranar University attended the workshop. Certificates were distributed at the valedictory.

GOvernment Employees protest to withdraw false cases

Members of Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association, Tamil Nadu Revenue Officials' Association and Tamil Nadu Rural Development Officers Association, staged a demonstration in front of the Collectorate in Tuticorin, yesterday. They were protesting against "foisting of cases" by the police against a few revenue officials. They alleged that the police took up a case against M. Natarajan and Saminathan, based on "false complaints" lodged by a few lawyers at Tiruchendur.

They appealed to the Collector to intervene and take steps to withdraw the "false cases" against the officials. About 200 people took part in the agitation.

IBM Research centre to come up at Kovilpatti

The multi-national computer giant, IBM, and National Engineering College, have signed an agreement on Thursday to establish a Centre of Excellence for IBM web sphere software at Kovilpatti.

The centre will be established under the umbrella of IBM Academic Initiative, a global exercise launched by the company to groom computer talent.

College authorities said that the centre would create opportunities for students to carry out research in emerging areas of information technology.

According to the pact, both parties will form a steering committee to work closely with educators to teach students the skills required to keep themselves abreast of changes in the sector.

The centre will focus on web technologies and train students on high-end systems. A three-day international conference on `Advances in electronics and communications, organised by the National Engineering College, commenced on its premises on Thursday.

Goerg Boeck from Berlin University of Technology explained the development of RF-CMOS technologies, RF-architectures and re-configurability principles for mobile communication.About 30 scientists from New Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune and Dehra Dun presented research papers on the inaugural day on various topics such as real time emulation for embedded system validation, multi user detection for continuous speech using quantum signal processing and voice controlled power wheelchair.

"With NASSCOM-Mckinsey report-2006 predicting a shortfall of more than five lakh technically skilled professionals by 2010, it is important for the industry to contribute to the growth of high-end technical education in the country and hence the decision to forge relationship with the college," said R. Dhamodaran, director, Software Group and Developer Relations, IBM India.

Tuticorin Railway Station to be upgraded at Rs. 1 Crore

Hemant Kumar, Divisional Manager, Southern Railway (Madurai division), has said that the Tuticorin railway station would be upgraded to a `model station', enhancing the infrastructure facilities by leaps and bounds.

Interacting with a group of industrialists, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tuticorin, recently, he said that new facilities like foot over-bridge connecting the first and second platforms, a VIP lounge and a waiting hall, among others, would be established at an `estimated outlay' of Rs.1 crore to help the station attain the status.

On the plea of industrialists to have an overnight train connecting Tuticorin with Coimbatore, he said the request would be considered only after the double laning work between Madurai and Dindigul was completed.

"Presently, the track on the sector was utilised 125 per cent of its capacity between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m., the following day, and hence there was no possibility of introducing a new train," he told them.

When some industrialists pointed out the `pathetic' condition of the majority of coaches used of Pearl City Express (Tuticorin to Chennai Egmore), whereas good coaches were used in other trains originating from the division, the Divisional Manager said "we are not showing any step motherly attitude to the passengers here".

"At the moment, coach requirement was far exceeding the production. We are expecting more new coaches, since plans are afoot to augment coach production at the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, and the Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, besides a new coach production unit in the country," he said.

Replying to the suggestion by D.R. Kodeeswaran, secretary, ICCIT, for more ticket counters at Tuticorin railway station, Mr Kumar said "if it was found that a reservation clerk was handling more than 200 requisitions/applications per shift, we would allot more counters".

On the demand for a change in the departure time of Pearl City Express on its return journey from Chennai Egmore to Tuticorin, he said the division had already suggested the Southern Railway head quarters in this regard.

Move to conserve lobster in the Gulf of Mannar

Five lakh larvae of `Panulirus Homarus,' a spiny lobster species, reared by the Fisheries College and Research Institute (FCRI), a constituent college of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, were sea ranched into the Gulf of Mannar at Tuticorin on 26th January.

Dr.V.K. Venkataramani, Dean, FCRI, said "sea ranching was carried out as part of a Centre-funded research project titled `Conservation of Lobster in the Gulf of Mannar', since it's the most effective solution for enhancing the spiny lobster stock. Spiny lobster resources were fast depleting in the Gulf of Mannar region owing to unscientific fishing techniques.

According to him, lobster catch in Tuticorin coast fell to 41 tonnes in 2004 from 169 tonnes recorded in 2002.

On the breeding techniques adopted by the institute, Dr. Venkataramani said that a mother lobster weighed 600 grams and a male lobster weighed 700 grams, were allowed to bred in a specially made Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) tank of 1,000 litre capacity at the Marine Biological Laboratory at the institute.

A team of scientists at the institute comprising C.B.T. Rajagopalasamy, B. Srikrishnadhas and T. Vaitheeswaran, monitored the growth of the newly bred larve, till it reached 3 mm under laboratory conditions, before sea ranching it.

Dr. Venkataramani appealed to the fishermen to release back the egg bearing lobsters caught in the `lobster nets' or `trawl nets', into the sea, to enhance the production of lobsters.

Delay in environmental clearance slowed down progress of port

N. K. Raghupathy, chairman, Tuticorin Port Trust (TPT), has said that delay in according environmental clearance to the infrastructural developments during the last two years, to meet the increasing volume of cargo traffic, has a bit slowed down the progress of the port.

Mr. Raghupathy said that the TPT managed to register growth continuously for the last five fiscals and record cargo traffic to the tune of 171 lakh tonnes handled during 2005-06 fiscal. The net surplus during the last five years has increased from around Rs.40 crore in 2001-02 to about Rs.100 crore in 2006-07.

According to him, the Centre should quickly clear the entire development projects envisaged for the augmentation of port facilities here during the XI Five Year Plan, to help the port to remain competitive in the changing global trade scenario. The Chairman said the Union Minister for Shipping, T.R. Baalu, has announced investment of around Rs.7,000 crore for the development of port during the 11th plan period.

Collector tells banks to grant loans to youth

The Collector, R. Palaniyandi, asked the banks in the district to take steps to expedite disbursal of loan to unemployed youth under Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojana (PMRY).

"A total of 112 requests had been pending with various banks as on December 31, 2006," he said.

Mr. Palaniyandi was reviewing the performance of the banks during the first three quarters of the current fiscal at the 101st Standing Committee Meeting of District Consultative Committee for Banking Development.

The meeting was organised by the lead bank (State Bank of India) here on Wednesday.

Under Swarnajayanthi Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), credit-linked subsidy was disbursed to 224 self-help groups of the total 319 applications sent to the banks, he said.

Mr. Palaniyandi directed the banks concerned to expedite the disbursal of loans to 42 physically challenged persons, who sought credit for economic activities under the SGSY scheme.

Under the land purchase scheme of Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing Development Corporation (TAHDCO), credit was sanctioned to 73 of the 161 applications sent to the banks.

Loans had been sanctioned to a total of 582 SC/ST persons under TAHDCO scheme to start business ventures. "Banks should process the remaining applications at the earliest," he said.

Source: The Hindu

Groynes planned along three coastal hamlets

Groynes are the boulders placed by humans that jut out to sea to capture sand and form a beach. Found to be ineffective because they only cause erosion on the opposite side of the rock wall.

The Public Works Department (PWD) will put up groynes at three coastal hamlets in the southern districts of Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. This will be on a total outlay of Rs 15.18 crore from the State exchequer to protect the villages from sea erosion.

Official sources said that the groynes would come up at Threspuram in Tuticorin district, one of the busiest fishing hamlets in the State, Idinthakarai in Tirunelveli district and Enayam Puthanthurai in Kanyakumari district.

The construction would commence next fiscal (2007-08) and be completed within 12 months.

Of the total cost, Rs 6.41 crore was earmarked for Threspuram, Rs 5.62 crore for Idinthakarai and Rs 3.15 crore for Kanyakumari district.

Stones of different sizes would be used for the construction, making it permeable. It would be laid in `bedding,' `core,' `armour' and `toe mount' layers, complying with international standards.

These structures, resembling hockey sticks, would deflect high velocity currents, the sources said.

The PWD would conduct numerical model, bathymetric and physical model studies at the three places prior to the commencement of work, to study tidal effect and depth of the sea. The structures would be configured based on the findings.

Sources also said that they were seeking expertise from Department of Ocean Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, to carry out the study.

Source: The Hindu

More trains to Tuticorin requested

The Tuticorin District Passengers' Welfare Association (TDPWA) has urged the Ministry of Railways to introduce more trains to Tuticorin, as major industrial houses like Sterlite, SPIC and Tuticorin Alkali and Chemicals, heavy water plant and port, were located in the town.

M. Piramanayagam, secretary of TDPWA, in a memorandum submitted to the Divisional Manager of Southern Railway (Madurai division), said that it is really pathetic that only two express trains, one to Chennai Egmore and another to Mysore, were operated from this industrial town, keeping the station idle for major part of the day.

He pointed out that considering the convenience of people to attend the cases coming up before the High Court Bench in Madurai, a passenger train should be operated between Tuticorin and Madurai in the morning.

The association also demanded that an overnight express train connecting Tuticorin with Coimbatore should be introduced to augment trading activities.

"The service will be of immense help to the people here, who are working in various textile mills in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode, and for the industrialists from that region to visit the port to supervise the export of their cargo consignments," Mr. Piramanayagam said.

According to the TDPWA members, speed of the Tuticorin-Tirunelveli passenger train should be increased.

"Presently, the train takes three hours to cover a distance of 50-odd km, whereas public transport buses cover the same distance in just an hour's time and hence there was poor patronage for the train service," they noted in the memorandum.

The authorities were asked to run special trains between Tuticorin and Chennai during all festive seasons, without fail.

Source: The Hindu

Pulses cultivation sees a boom in Tuticorin district

Pulses cultivation in the district has witnessed a boom this fiscal, as the productivity and cultivation area exceeded the target multi-fold.

While the productivity increased from 400 kg per hectare last fiscal to 700 kg per hectare this financial year, the cultivation area of pulses was 54,394 hectares by the end of the third quarter of the current fiscal itself against an annual target of 25,000 hectares.

Of the 54,394 hectares covered, black gram was raised on 26,479 hectares, green gram on 27,501 hectares, cowpea on 810 hectares, soya bean on 77 hectares and other pulses on 77 hectares, at Ottapidaram, Kayathar, Kovilpatti, Vilathikulam, Pudur and Tuticorin blocks.

The average area covered under pulses in the district during the last 10 financial years stood at 32,744 hectares, with a maximum coverage of 45,543 hectares achieved in 2005-06 fiscal.Experts attributed the phenomenal growth in the sector to various factors such as proper dissemination of technology from the laboratory to the field, favourable monsoon and a paradigm shift from cotton cultivation to pulses, owing to fall in cotton prices and a simultaneous rise in the price of pulses.

The Agriculture department had distributed 56.48 tonnes of high yielding certified seeds of pulses at subsidized rates to the farmers during between April 1 and December 31, which increased the productivity.

Besides, the department distributed bio-fertilisers like rhizobium and helped the farmers to apply di-ammonium phosphate on the foliage of pulse crops in a scientific manner. The rise in the demand of pulses for consumption owing to its nutritive value too was a reason that more farmers showed interest in raising the crop, which eventually contributed to the increase in the area covered.

Source: The Hindu

Tuticorin Municipal council Memebers dissatisfied with the lack of proper infrastructure.

Cutting across party lines, councillors complained about the bad conditions of roads in the town, at the municipal council meeting held in Tuticorin Municipal Building on 25th January.

N. Suresh Kumar (All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), councillor of Ward 8, said the administration `miserably failed' to respond to the repeated pleas of people and elected representatives to carry out road repairs.

He pointed out that most of the road accidents had occurred owing to poor condition of roads.

Drinking water crisis and stray dog menace were the other problems highlighted by the councillors of various political parties.

Municipal Commissioner K. Kanagaraj said that the stray dogs could not be killed by administering euthanasia owing to legal problems. "We are exploring the possibility of carrying out birth control measure on the stray dog population, with the help of officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry."

The council passed a resolution to change the old fittings on 200 streetlight poles at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.75 lakh.

Besides, the house decided to upgrade eight earthen roads to cement roads, four water-bound macadam roads to metalled roads and establish storm water drains, all on a total outlay of Rs. 52.85 lakh.

Municipal Chairperson Kasturi Thangam said that a park at Boltonpuram would be renovated soon at Rs. 2.50 lakh. Of the total project cost, Rs. 1 lakh would be availed from the municipal exchequer and the rest from Town and Country Planning Department, she added.

The council decided to raise the minimum monthly water charges for domestic use from Rs. 40 to 50 with immediate effect. Similarly, rates for commercial establishments and industries were raised from Rs. 70 to 100 and Rs. 105 to 150. respectively.

Source: The Hindu

Tuticorin farmers familiarised with futures trading

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has familiarised farmers in the Tuticorin district with the concept of futures trading, as part of a new initiative taken by it.

Forward Markets Commission Director Shivanand S Ajur and Multi Commodity Exchange Manager Training V Venkat Giridhar interacted with farmers to educate them on "price discovery, price risk management and functions of futures contract", a NABARD official said.

Addressing the farmers, Ajur said only 91 commodities currently feature in the list approved by the Government for futures trading under section 15 of the Forward Contracts (Regulation Act).

The Centre plans to set up futures market for perishable products such as fish, egg and fruits, he said.

A live commodities trading session was also shown to the farmers through satellite link, officials said.

Source : The Hindu

M. S. Ocean Odyssey, a luxury cruise liner visits Tuticorin

M. S. Ocean Odyssey, a luxury cruise liner , a part of the new cruise service introduced by Indian Ocean Cruises Limited, New Delhi, connecting Goa, the Lakshwadeep Islands, Mangalore, Kochi and Colombo, on its maiden voyage, arrived at the Tuticorin port on 23rd January 2006.

M. S. Ocean Odyssey is a 105.6-metre-long vessel boasts of standard and deluxe cabins, a swimming pool, two Jacuzzis, a dining room, a dance floor, a spa and a beauty saloon, a bar, a library with 200 books and a fitness centre which makes it a four-star vessel carried 54 tourists, both foreign and domestic, as against its capacity of 290 passengers, and a crew of 152.

The vessel called on the trading ports of Kochi and Mangalore, the untouched islands of Tinnakara and Suheli in Lakshwadeep and Sri Lanka, before reaching Tuticorin. To the accompaniment of nagaswaram, the tourists arrived at the port. District Tourism Officer T. Chellappa and Tuticorin Port Trust Public Relations Officer Arunachalam received them. Seven tourists — four Britons, one Irishman, one Estonian and a Columbian — embarked on a sightseeing trip to the heritage sites in Tirunelveli district.

LTTE supporter arrested near Tuticorin

An activist of Sri Lanka's Tamils National Movement (TNM) was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle explosive materials near Tuticorin by the Intelligence Department .

The person named Prabhakaran, also an ardent supporter of the LTTE, and two others were being questioned at an undisclosed place in Tuticorin City.

The sources said Prabhakaran was making arrangements to send a large quantity of steel balls, used as "raw material for mines and grenades", when he was intercepted by intelligence officials.

Tuticorin port open to students

Starting 12th January, the Tuticorin port was thrown open to students for six consecutive days to commemorate the commencement of 125th year of commercial operations at Chennai harbour.

On the inaugural day, 439 students and faculty members from two arts and science colleges, two polytechnics, and four schools from Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tuticorin and Virudhunagar districts visited the port. The students were taken out to the V.O.C. Wharf, Berth-8 and signal station — all situated inside the `green gate' of the port.

The visitors were explained the cargo handling techniques. Earlier, the Public Relations Officer of Tuticorin Port Trust, T. Arunachalam, through a promotional video footage, briefed the students on the achievements of the port since it became the tenth major port in the country on July 11, 1974.

The queries of students on the facilities available at the port were answered by the officials using a miniature representation of the port facilities on display at the administrative block.

The port officials explained the role of different types of berths and the importance of gadgets such as rubber-tyre gantry cranes, container quay cranes and towing tugs.

The students were also explained the features of the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project undertaken by the Centre to facilitate ships to have a direct passage through Indian territorial waters instead of circumventing Sri Lanka.

Once the channel becomes fully functional, sailing time and distance would be saved tremendously, benefiting the export-import trade, the port officials told the visiting students.

Source: The Hindu

Filing of nominations begins in Tuticorin for By-Polls

Filing of nominations for by-elections to various local bodies commenced in the district on 12 January. Only one nomination for the post of president of Kulasekarapattinam village panchayat was received on the first day.

The by-elections were scheduled for the posts of presidents of Paraikootam village panchayat (Ottapidaram block), Sivagnanapuram (Vilathikulam block), Kulasekarapattinam (Udangudi block) and Meerankulam (Alwarthirunagari block).

Besides, by-elections will be conducted to elect 24 village panchayat ward members and one Town panchayat ward member.

The last date of filing nominations is January 27 and scrutiny of nominations will be held on January 29. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is January 31. The polls are scheduled for February 8 and counting of votesthe following day.

1,58,850 children to be covered in Tuticorin in pulse polio programme

The Collector, R. Palaniyandi, exhorted parents to bring their children in the age group of zero to five years to booths for giving oral polio vaccine on January 7.

The drops would be administered to 1,58,850 children in the district through 1,062 booths set up in Tuticorin and Kovilpatti health unit districts.

The population in transit would be covered through the `additional booths' established at major bus stands and railway stations and at places of tourism importance such as Tiruchendur, Kazhugamalai and Panchalankurichi.

A total of 5,000 volunteers comprising doctors from the 47 Primary Health Centres and the Tuticorin Medical College and Hospital, officials from different departments, anganwadi staff, village health nurses and sector health nurses would be deployed to administer the drops.

Aliyar Liaquat Ali, Deputy Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said no polio case was reported in the district since the detection of two cases (one at Thalamuthu Nagar and another at Threspuram) during 1998. "Even there was no incidence of poliomyelitis in the State during 2005 and 2006, after the last case was reported at M.G.R. Nagar in Tirunelveli in 2004."

Dr. Ali said a total of 1,814 cases were reported across the world during 2006 of which 624 cases were from our nation. Of the 624 cases, 509 cases were registered in Uttar Pradesh followed by 52 in Bihar, 18 in Haryana, 13 in Uttaranchal, five in Maharashtra, eight in Punjab, six in Delhi, three each in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, two in Assam and one each in Chandigarh, Himachal Pradsh, Jharkand, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

Source: Hindu

Cultivated area exceeds target set for Tuticorin

Collector R. Palaniyandi has said that the area covered under millets and pulses cultivation in the district had exceeded the targets set for the current financial year by December itself.

Chairing a meeting of Agriculture Production Committee (APC) here on Thursday, he said that a total of 48,935 hectares was brought under millet cultivation between April 1 and December 31 against the target of 47,580 ha envisaged, and pulses were raised on 54,934 ha against 25,000 ha.

Of the 48,935 ha brought under millets category, `cholam' was raised on 6,915 ha, `cumbu' on 16,027 ha, maize on 11,043 ha, ragi on 161 ha, `fodder-cholam' on 14,059 ha and other millets on 720 ha.

On other crops, he said that 20,459 ha was brought under paddy against the target of 23,000 ha, and 5,737 ha under cotton against the target of 12,000 ha.

Similarly, 6,120 ha was brought under oilseeds category against the target of 7,000 ha. Of this, 2,067 ha was brought under groundnuts, 2,864 ha under gingelly, 1,090 ha under sunflower and 99 ha under castor.

To increase the yield, the district administration distributed certified seeds of paddy (202.58 tonnes), millets (24.94 tonnes), pulses (56.48 tonnes), cotton (12.42 tonnes) and oilseeds (30.65 tonnes), at subsidised rates during the first nine months of the current fiscal.

On the performance of allied departments, he said that a total of 1,525 ha was brought under the Command Area Development Scheme, implemented by the Department of Agricultural Engineering, at the end of third quarter, to ensure improved agricultural activities with efficient water management.

S. Subramanian, Joint-Director of Agriculture, Sundaram Pillai, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Gandhirajan, Personal Assistant ( Agriculture) to the Collector, and Ramasamy, Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies, were present.

Later, the Collector looked into the complaints of farmers at a grievance day meeting at the Collectorate.

Source: The Hindu

Tuticorin BSNL announces a slew of schemes

  The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited's Tuticorin Telecom District has arranged for loans to purchase Subscribers Trunk Dialling billing machine through Tamilnad Mercantile Bank for those who want to convert the BSNL Village Public Telephone (VPT), providing only local call, into STD PT.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, the General Manager, BSNL, Tuticorin Telecom District, N.R. Natarajan, said that VPT providers who opt for conversion could contact the BSNL local offices in this regard.

The rate of interest for the loan would be 12.50 per cent.

During Christmas festival, broadband service was given to customers of Nazareth and the second Base Trans-receiver Station was installed there. In the New Year, two more new BTS were installed at Kamanaickanpatti and Tiruchendur.

BSNL now offers following benefits in the Broadband service:

Free download limit for Home plans 1 Giga Bytes, 2.5 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB and 20 GB for Home 250, Home 500, Home 1,000, Home 1,800 and Home 3,300 plans respectively. Usage beyond free downloads for Home plans will cost 90 paise per Mb, 80 paise, 80 paise, 70 paise and 70 paise per Mb for Home 250, Home 500, Home 1000, Home 1800 and Home 3300 plans respectively, Mr. Natarajan said.

Free download limit for Business Plans 1 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 20 GB, 35 GB and 75 GB would be allowed for Business 250, Business 700, Business 1200, Business 3000, Business 5000 and Business 9000 plans respectively.

Usage beyond free downloads for business plans would cost 90 paise, 80 paise, 80 paise, 50 paise, 50 paise and 50 paise per Mb for Business 250, Business 700, Business 1200, Business 3000, Business 5000 and

Business 9000 plans respectively.

Bandwidth has now been increased up to 2 Mbps for all plans. Modem rates have been reduced to Rs.1,200 and Rs.1,800 and modem rental rates are cut from Rs. 100 to Rs. 60

and from Rs. 125 to Rs. 90. Broadband service at Tuticorin, Nazareth and Kayalpattinam is now available on-demand, and at the end of this month this service would be available throughout Tuticorin district, he said.

BSNL has now introduced fixed line prepaid (FLPP) scheme for landline and this scheme would be launched initially for STD PCO franchisees.

FLPP scheme cards are available in different denominations i.e., Rs. 337, Rs. 500, Rs. 1,000, Rs. 3,000, Rs. 3,500, Rs. 5,000, Rs. 9,000 and Rs. 10,000.

BSNL offers full talk time and more for the following recharge coupons. The offer ends on Jan 18. A full talk value would be available for all those who recharge for Rs. 300.

Those who recharge for Rs. 2,000 or Rs. 3,000 will get Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 3,750 talk value — 25 per cent additional talktime respectively.

Those who recharge for Rs. 5,000 will get 50 per cent additional talktime.

For the top-up card of Rs. 500, an additional 20 per cent talktime, i.e. total talk value of Rs. 600 would be given.

In Tuticorin district all `One India' customers (i.e. Rs.180 monthly fixed charges) are provided STD without any additional deposit.

Those who want to bar or cancel the STD facility can contact Commercial Officer, Office of the General Manager, BSNL, Tuticorin, Mr. Natarajan said.

Tuticorin Medical College gets Perment Accrediation

The Tuticorin Medical College was awarded the permenant Accrediation by the Indian Medical
 Board. This has made the certificates of the students who passed out from the college last year.  

The Tuticorin Medical College was refused to be provided an Accrediation due to the lack of Medical Infrastructures in the college. Due to the timely intervention of the Chief Minister and Health Minister the necessary steps for developing the infrastructure for the college was undertaken. And now after the IMB inspection the Tuticorin Medical College was awarded the permenant Accrediation by the Indian Medical Board.

Hello FM to be launched in Tuticorin by

The Radio City FM Groups, Hello FM was launched in Coimbatore recently, the group is going to launch its next FM Station in Tuticorin in the month of March 2007.

Source: AgencyFAQs

Madhucon SPV achieves financial closure

The special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by Madhucon Projects for undertaking the 129-km stretch of the National Highway between Madurai and Tuticorin achieved financial closure.

According to a press release, a consortium led by Canara Bank syndicated the debt for the project. The BOT (build-operate-transfer) project is being taken up at a cost of Rs 920 crore with a concession period of 20 years. "It is the longest stretch awarded by National Highway Authority of India".

The scope of the project includes design, engineering, finance, construction, operation and maintenance.

Proposals for the electification of Tuticorin - Villipuram Railway line

The Southern Railway has sent various proposals for electrification of the Mega Railway line between Villupuram and Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu. With the railways introducing more than 10 trains, as announced in the last budget, Southern Railway has sent a mega proposal of Rs 2,500 crore for electrification of Villupuram-Tuticorin to the Railway Board, Thomas Varghese, General Manager, Southern Railway, told reporters.

Lets hope that the Doubling of the Vilipuram - Tuticorin railway line also happens soon.

Vedanta Q3 earnings up by 174 percent

The parent organisation of Sterlite Copper, Vedanta Resources PLC, the FTSE 100-listed copper and zinc miner, has attained an earnings surge of 174 % in the third quarter, buoyed by strong metal prices and production.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the three months to December rose to 724 mln usd from 264.6 mln previously, ahead of the consensus forecast of 698.4 mln usd.

Revenue grew 81 pct to 1.76 bln usd, against a consensus figure of 1.68 bln usd.

Vedanta said production across all metals in India was 'significantly' higher in the quarter, mainly because of the contribution from newly-commissioned projects.

Production at the new 245,000-tonne per annum Korba II smelter has fully stabilised and reached its full capacity after the temporary disruption in May due to the tripping of the power plant.

Copper cathode production in India and Australia reached a record 86,000 tonnes due to the de-bottlenecking initiatives at the Tuticorin smelter, which has increased capacity to 400,000 tpa.

Source: Forbes

SPIC wins `Award of Honour'

The Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation Limited (SPIC), Tuticorin, has bagged the `Award of Honour' instituted by the National Safety Council-Tamil Nadu chapter for 2006.

R. Muthumanoharan, Vice-President (Fertilizer Business), received the award on behalf of his company from K. Balachandran, Director (Operations), Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, Chennai, at a function held in Chennai recently.

K.A. Mohammed Aziz, Chief Inspector of Factories and Chairman of National Safety Council-Tamil Nadu chapter, was present.

The SPIC, Tuticorin, had won the same award earlier in 1999 and 2001.

Luxury liner visiting Tuticorin, launches cruise off Goa.

Indian Ocean Cruises, the Indian arm of London-based Foresight Group, along with its Indian representative STIC Travel Group, Saturday launched its cruise off the Goa port for a 14-night round trip.

The cruise, Ocean Odyssey, will travel from Goa touching major trading ports like Mangalore, Kochi, Tuticorin and the islands of Suheli, Thinnakkara and Cheriyam in Lakshadweep and Colombo tracing the ancient spice route.

'The launch is an initiative to provide the Indian and international travellers with a unique experience of cruising along the ancient routes of the Malabar Coast and experiencing the beauty of the pristine atolls of Lakshadweep Islands,' STIC Travel Group chairman Subhash Goyal said in a statement.

The luxury liner will also be offered in the 3-night, 5-night, 6-night, 8-night and 14-night cruise segments for the same route.

Source : NERVE of India

Tuticorin Port sets a new record

Tuticorin Port is glad to inform that the Port created a new record in cargo handling on 5.1.2007 by unloading 19,785 Metric Tonnes of Copper Concentrate in bulk at VOC Berth No.IV from the vessel mv."TURICUM" in a single day. The previous record discharge of Copper Concentrate was 19,012 Metric Tonnes on 14.07.2005 from the vessel mv."UBC TAPICO". The new record was created by complementing the discharge by using Port TRF Grab Cranes.

The Steamer Agent of the vessel is M/s.Pearl Shipping Agency, Tuticorin and the Stevedore are M/s.Villavarayar & Son, Tuticorin. The cargo is meant for M/s.Sterlite Industries India Ltd., Tuticorin.

Source: Tuticorin Port Trust

Permission to Visit Tuticorin Port by Student Community of Southern region during Celebration of 125th year Commercial Operation by Chennai Port Trus

As a part of celebration of 125th year commercial operation of Chennai Port from 19th to 24th Jan.2007, Tuticorin Port will allow the students community from the southern districts of Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts to visit the Port from 19th to 24th Jan.2007 free of charges. The requision for visiting the Port containing the name of the Institution, Students Age, Sex and Class should be sent in triplicate to the Public Relations Officer, Tuticorin Port and permission may be obtained in advance.

One batch consisting of 50 students and 2 teachers each from each Institution will be permitted to visit the port as Port's Guests from 19th to 24th Jan.2007. The visiting students will assemble either at Port School or Tharuvai Grounds at Tutcorin Town around 08:00 AM. They will be provide with breakfast, if option is exercised for the same, and taken to the Port Information Centre in their buses in a convoy. One senior officer of the port will brief them about the port at the Information Centre before they are taken to the Port, accompanied by an senior officer of the Port. After the site visit, lunch, at the option of the Institution will be provided to the students at the Port Guest House.

Interested Institution may apply to the Public Relations Officer Tuticorin Port Trust on or before 06.01.2007 funishing the details. The Port reserves the right to selection of School, Polytechnic and College from among the applicant Institution.

Source : Tuticorin Port Trust

111 bags of rice seized from house in Tuticorin

The police seized 111 bags of ration rice from a house at Sameer Vyas Nagar under Thalamuthu Nagar police station limits.

Police said the rice bags, weighing about 5 tonnes, were confiscated from the backyard of the house of Sudalaimani (42) when the law-enforcers raided the residence on a tip-off.

Sudalaimani was arrested.

Investigations revealed that Sudalaimani had stolen the rice from the ration shops at Mappliyyaiyoorani, T. Saveriyarpuram, Siluvaiptti, Ayyarvilai and Lourdammalpuram.

Centre urged to increase draught at Tuticorin port

The Tuticorin port handling agents' association, the Tuticorin custom house agents' association and the Tuticorin ship agents' association has urged the Centre to increase the draught available at the berths in Tuticorin port to facilitate the handling of bigger vessels.

In a joint memorandum submitted to the Union Ministry of Shipping recently, the associations demanded that the draught be increased from the present 10.7 metre to 12.8 metre at the earliest. Any further delay would leave the port lagging behind other `players' in the sector.

The Centre must expedite the completion of outer harbour development works to attract more number of deep draught vessels and mother vessels to the port. It should be ensured that the draught was not less than 14 to 16 metres. It would avoid dredging at a later stage with extra mobilisation of funds.

The development of the hinterland of the port and the airport at Vagaikulam was essential for the integrated development of the port and the town.

The associations highlighted the importance of completing the four-lane works on the Tuticorin-Tirunelveli and Tuticorin-Madurai national highways sector on a war footing. "It would enhance the speed of outward and inward cargo movement at the port," they said.

Similarly, the road connecting Tuticorin with Kochi via Shencottah, Punalur and Kollam should be developed to improve the connectivity between the two major ports situated at Tuticorin and Kochi. All these developments would have a direct bearing on the economic growth of the port here.

Court orders "arrest" of foreign ship berthed at the Tuticorin Port

Exercising its admiralty jurisdiction, the Madras High Court has ordered the "arrest" of a foreign ship, flying the Maldivian flag, berthed at the Tuticorin Port.

Justice K. Chandru granted the plea made by the Pakistan-based Garibsons (Private) Limited and directed the Registry to issue a warrant for the arrest of M.V. Asian Express, formerly known as M.V. Ocean Venture.

Counsel for the petitioner-company S. Vasudevan and Abdul Quddhose submitted that the vessel was transporting a cargo of 5,500 metric tonnes of bagged rice from Karachi in Pakistan to Illychevsk in Ukraine. It sailed out of Karachi on August 29, 2006. "The vessel, instead of prosecuting her voyage from Karachi to Ukraine, remained off Jeddah, and clandestinely travelled to Colombo," they submitted, adding that it had offloaded around 4,000 tonnes of rice at Colombo.

The petitioner-company said while it acted properly and in good faith, the vessel owners had acted fraudulently and in bad faith.

Even before an arrest order obtained in a Sri Lankan court could be executed, the ship sailed out of Galle with a view to "frustrate and defeat the execution of the order and thereby exhibited complete disrespect and disregard to the orders passed by the court."

Claiming that over $ 17 lakh was payable by the ship owners, the petition said unless the plea to arrest and detain the vessel was granted it would sail out of the court's jurisdiction.

As the 30-year-old vessel had already reached the end of its commercial life and it was likely to be beached, broken and sold as scrap, the court should order that the vessel to be condemned and sold, it said.

The vessel, together with her hull, tackle, engines, machinery, apparel, equipment, stores, articles, things and other paraphernalia, should be arrested and detained by a warrant of arrest, it said.

TMB acquires high technology to provide reliable service.

Riverbed Technology Inc. announced that the Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd.(TMB), India, has deployed Riverbed's Steelhead wide-area data services (WDS) appliances in its Chennai data center and in its Bangalore disaster recovery center. TMB is a private-sector bank headquartered in Thoothukudi, with seven regional offices and 173 branches across India. During peak business hours, TMB generates a 100 MB log file every five minutes, which it replicates from Chennai to Bangalore. Prior to installing Riverbed's Steelhead appliances, replication of this file using Oracle's Data Guard application took more than 10 minutes. Following installation of the Steelhead appliances, the replication window dropped from over 10 minutes to two minutes.

Record handling by Tuticorin Port

Tuticorin Port has created a new record in cargo handling on New Year day (Jan 1) by unloading 13,811 metric tonnes of MOP in bulk at berth no 3 from the vessel MV IVS Kanda on a single day.

The previous record discharge of MOP was 10,431 MT on 2 July 2006 from the vessel Jin Fu. The new record was created by complementing the discharge by using three powerful Port TRF grab cranes from the vessel for all the three shifts.

The steamer agent of the vessel is Pearl Shipping Agency, Tuticorin, and the stevedores are Raja Agencies, Tuticorin. The cargo is meant for Indian Potash Ltd.

Shipyard in Tuticorin at 1,500 Crore

The Tuticorin Port has firmed up plans to build a shipyard on a build-operate-transfer or lease basis at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore, which will build six panamax size vessels in a year.

"Chennai-based Goodearth Maritime has prepared a pre-feasibility report by engaging international consultant Kora Maritime Consultant Company of Korea. The board of Tuticorin will consider this proposal and call for EoIs shortly," said a Tuticorin Port official.

Source: Business Standard

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.