Journal of Information and Computational Science ISSN: 1548-7741
TUTICORIN PORT DEVELOPMENT UNDER RAILWAYS
Dr.K.Marimuthu Guest Lecturer Department of History Bharathidasan University Tiruchirappalli-24, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract The Port of Tuticorin is important as it forms the Southernmost Port on the east coast and has the largest trade in South India. In his enumeration of ports on the east coast of India. The first railway line, on South Indian Railway from Madurai to Thoothukudi was opened on 1st January 1876, to a distance of 157.9 Km. and from Thoothukudi to Foreshore (0.65 Km.) on 7th August 1899. The section of railway line from Maniyachi to Tirunelveli (28 km) was opened on 1st January, 1876.
Keywords— Tuticorin, Port, Hinterland, Industry, Railways
I INTRODUCTION Thoothukudi formed a part of Pandyan Kingdom from the 7th century and the Chola Kingdom from the 9th to 12th Centuries. There is a little doubt that the Chola invasion of Ceylon was launched from Thoothukudi, the base closest to Sri Lanka (llangai). The obvious advantage of a well guarded and convenient roadstead where sailing vessels and ships can anchor and were silting poses no problem throughout Thoothukudi to the forefront as a Port. Lured by the wealth of Tamil Nadu, travellers, adventurers and colonisers locked the East Coast. The Portuguese who first came in 1 532 were engaged in spreading Christianity along the fishing coast apart from trade activities. In 1542 St.Francis Xavier landed in Thoothukudi. The flourishing trade of Portuguese in Thoothukudi attracted the Dutch who had by then occupied Sri Lanka and took over Thoothukudi in 1658.
Followed the Dutch the English who had come to India took over Thoothukudi and all other dependencies finally by 1825. The early years of the 19th century marked the commercial rise of Thoothukudi with its hinterland supplying varied commodities and raw materials and the advantages derived from a natural harbour. The light house built in 1 842 marked the beginning of the development of Thoothukudi harbour.
The district has 163.5 Km. of sea coast which extends along the Gulf of Mannar from Vembar, an insignificant Port on the north, to a point about 7 km. east of Cape Comorin in Kanniyakumari district. Korkai, which means an army “camp” was once the gateway as well as capital of the Pandya Kingdom. The port presided over the pearl fishing that was
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flourishing along the coromandal coast and traders from Greece flocked to Korkai with their merchandise in order to exchange it for the much sought after pearls. This place is now 7 or 8 Km. in land as a result of receding of the sea. Kayal was the another flourishing port during the 1 2th and 1 3th centuries.Marco Polo has referred to Kayal as a pearl trading centre, in his writings. This port was also an emporium of horse trade.
There were also some other small ports like Manappad and Kayalpattinam which grew in importance during the trade with Arabs. But the emergence of Thoothukudi as an important port in India is very interesting. A series of dramatic changes of the English gave Thoothukudi an important position among the ports in India.The year 1886 saw the planned development of the harbour when the first pier, a primitive wooden jetty of about hundred feet in length was constructed at a cost of Rs.1200/-. This was further strengthened in 1877. Trolley rails connecting the port with the railway was laid in 1878. A new iron screw-pile was constructed in 1889. Increased demand space paved way for the reclamation of the foreshore to provide approaches to the new jetty at a cost of about Rs.2 lakh. The railway line was extended upto the quay in 1899.
In the early 20th century Thoothukudi became a prominant centre for freedom struggle. In order to strike at the roots of the British monopoly in transporting passengers and cargo along the coastal areas. V.O.Chidambaram Pillay, a veteran freedom fighter hailing from Ottapidaram of this district, set up the first Swadesi Steam Navigation Company in India, purchased two steamers namely S.S.Gaelia and S.S.Lawoe, to ply between Thoothukudi and Sri Lanka (Ceylon). In order to buy these two steamers he toured all over India and collected money from among the freedom fighters.
The erstwhile minor port of Thoothukudi, currently called zone B is an anchorage port with lighterage facilities and harbours 40 mechanised sail vessels of various capacities ranging from 200-500 tonnes. More vessels are engaged in lightering work to facilitate the bigger ships of more than 30 feet draft to enter the major ports.This minor port has the distinction of handling its highest traffic tonnages of one million per year.
Now this port has two operational sections zone A, the new major port and zone B representing the old anchorage or minor port. The Thoothukudi Port Trust Board at present consists of 19 members. This port is located on the south eastern coast at the latitude of 8° 45° north and longitude 78° 13° east. The main advantage of the port is its closeness to major international routes. Due to natural calm water the port is operated throughout the year. High level efficiency, infrastructural facilities for cargo handling operations, quick turn round of vessels and the efficient workforce have made this port one of the most productive major ports of India. The port has two breakwaters on north (the second largest in the world) and south east extending into the sea upto a distance of about 4 Km. It has a protected harbour basin with a water spread of 400 hectares served by an approach channel with a length of 1450 meter and a width of 183 meter. The artificial harbour has many natural advantages. The distance between Thoothukudi and Sri Lanka is about 150 nautical miles, providing a safe route to ships from the highways.
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Zone A has six berths and the south break water and three bulk cargo jettys on north break waters. The berths and jetties are well connected by roads and rail. The length of the south break water is 387.37 meter while north break water is about 4098.66 meter. The distance between the break water is 1275 meters. The south break water berths handle dry bulk, break bulk and container cargos. Phosphoric acid is also handled at one of the alongside berths. Two of the northern break water berths handle coal for Thoothukudi Thermal Power Station. The oil jetty handles POL products, chemicals, LPG chemicals like VCM, DYEDC, etc. are also discharged through pipelines laid along north break water. The port has vast space for development of warehouses and a strategic location that facilitate sea -trade. The major problem of the port is the shallow nature of its approach channel, despite the harbour basin having enough depth to accommodate 9.15 meter draught ships. The channel restricts the shipping to a draught of 8.24 meter only, thus forcing bulk containers to call for “lighter age” which results in the loss of more than 0.70 million tonnes of cargo per year, additional handling charges to prolonged port stay. The port has proposed to deepen the channels to 10.7 m and with this the number of main line vessels calling at the port would increase. At present only feeder vessels with a draught of 7 meter to 10 meter are calling at the Port.
With increased traffic and the concept of ‘hub-port’ gaining importance, decision makers are giving a serious thought to one-time capital dredging at 12.5 m depth in the approach channel and 11-9 m in the harbour basin to accommodate vessels of 10.7 m (35 feet). This would benefit the vast hinterland and play a leading role in the promotion of trade and industry in the region. It would also increase the port’s handling capacity from a mere 1.3 million tonnes of traffic in 1975-76, the port’s traffic reached 9.173 million tonnes during 1996-97. In 1995- 96, the port’s operating income was Rs.54,905 crore which rose to 59.04 crore in 1996-97. It registered a net surplus of Rs.23.45 crore in 1995-96 and Rs.26.46 crore in 1996-97.
Container Freight Stations (CFS) at Thoothukudi There are two Private Container Freight stations that operate in Thoothukudi - SEL group and St.Johns Freight Systems. In addition there is another CFS operated by the Container Corporation of India. They play a vital role in enhancing containerisation system at the port.
Other Services at the Port The Thoothukudi Stevedoring Association (TSA) a private body provides stevedoring services of various grades and skills for handling cargos on board and on the shore. The cargo handling works are drawn from the labour pool managed by the TSA which works round the clock throughout the year. The vessels calling at Thoothukudi port can replenish their supplies of bunkers through the services provided by the Indian Oil Corporation, the largest State owned Petroleum Company. Water is provided to the ships at the port through private agencies. One Customs Licensed Agents Association is functioning in the district in which about seventy agencies have been enrolled themselves as its member. Also the Thoothukudi Stevedores Association has 45 members, while the Thoothukudi Steamer Agents Association
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has 46 members. Likewise the Thoothukudi Steamer’s Association has twelve companies as its members, similarly Thoothukudi Port Transports Equipment Owners Association has members from 29 companies in 1999.
The port also has a small dried dock for repairing the crafts. The services of Cochin Ship Yard* Ltd., located nearby are available for ship repairing works. Repair of a minor and the emergency nature are attended by the local private workshops.
The Mercantile Marine Department of the Government of India under the Director General of Shipping has its office at Thoothukudi, under the charge of the Surveyor responsible for the regulation of ship’s- operations and survey. This office is also responsible for the welfare of the Seamen visiting Thoothukudi. A number of private survey agencies are functioning at Thoothukudi for undertaking cargo container and other service. The Central Industrial Security Force of the Government of India with adequate security personnel, headed by a Deputy Commandant is deployed to man the vulnerable points in the port area. In addition, Watchmen of private agencies are deployed for watch keeping duties. The ports fire service wing is well equipped to handle all fire emergencies on the shore and on board the vessels. The office of the Dock Safety Inspectorate which is the regulatory authority to enforce safety, health and welfare of the dock workers also functions at the port.
Railways The railway line dawned in India on 16 April 1853, when the first train ran from Bombay to Thana, a distance of 33.81 km. Some years latter however, the idea of building railways in India had taken concrete shape with the court of Directors of the East India Company in London. During the tenure of Ettayapuram Poligar Jagaveera Rama Kumara Ettappa Nayaker Aiyan, more eventful and full of pleasing incidents occurred. At the very outset, he had the honour of taking a prominent position in giving welcome to the Prince of Wales on 10 December 1875, the day on which he landed at Thoothukudi, and on which date the South Indian Railway Extension to Thoothukudi was opened and used by the Prince for the first time. The Poligar travelled in the same train with the Prince upto Kovilpatti. All relating to this transaction will be best illustrated by the following passage.
It is scarcely possible to exaggerate the quiet charms of the scenery along the new Railway , or the great delight of the people at the combined attractions of the first Train, and of the Prince . The whole population thronged to the road side. Their attitudes of wonder and joy were singularly graceful and attractive.
The Great Southern of Indian Railway, opened its first line for traffic between Nagapattinam and Thanjavur in 1861 and extended upto Tiruchirappalli in March 1862. It was subsequently linked to the Madras - Beypore line via Erode. On 1 July 1874, the Great Southern of Indian Railway amalgamated with the Karnatic Railway Company giving birth to South Indian Railway, with its headquarters in Tiruchirappalli, progressed rapidly and by the end of 1880, the South Indian Railway Company had constructed the line from Madras to Thoothukudi, a
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distance of 710.4 Km. with branch lines from Tiruchirappalli to Erode, Chengalpattu to Arakkonam, Thanjavur to Nagapattinam, Maniyachi to Tirunelveli and Villupuram to Gingee river.
The first railway line, on South Indian Railway from Madurai to Thoothukudi was opened on 1st January 1876, to a distance of 157.9 Km. and from Thoothukudi to Foreshore (0.65 Km.) on 7th August 1899. The section of railway line from Maniyachi to Tirunelveli (28 km) was opened on 1st January, 1876.
In the year 1903, the District Board of Tirunelveli put forward a proposal to construct a railway line connecting Tirunelveli Bridge Station (as Tirunelveli junction was called then) with Tiruchendur, which is one of the greatest pilgrim centres of the south and attracted a large number of pilgrims. The Board resolved to raise a railway cess and to allow the funds thus raised to remunerate for the above. The survey of the line was done and the estimate after being revised a few times, finally stood at Rs.20.50 lakh. Lengthy correspondence between the South Indian Railway Company and the government caused delay in commencing the construction work. When the discussions were drawing to a close by 1912 it was realised that the estimate would escalate to Rs.23 lakh. In order to bring down the cost it was decided to use materials of inferior quality and the estimate was once again revised. A new survey was also conducted. The cess levied since July 1903 accumulated to Rs.8.5 lakh in March 191 5. Finally the scheme was sanctioned by the Madras Government in July 1915. It was a meter gauge line of 3 ‘ 3 3/8” a permanent way consisted of 40 lb. flat footed steel rails laid on hard wood cross sleepers .The line was ballasted with moorum for 45 Km. and with sand for the rest. The railing gradient was 1 in 100. The line which was to a distance of 61 Km. had a sharpest curve of 955 feet radius. The line constructed at a cost of Rs.20,70,891 /-, was opened for traffic on 24 February, 1923.A line ran from Tiruchendur to Tisayanvilai (via) Kulasekarapattinam, a distance of 38 Km.and carried passengers. It had a branch from Kulasekarapattinam Central Station to Udangudi, a distance of 4,8 Km.This railway was of great help to trade and was a great public convenience in the district; and this kind of railway was generally extended with great advantage in the their country.
South Tamil Nadu on the Broad Gauge Map The first major new line-cum-Gauge Conversion Project which was undertaken in Tamil Nadu was the 327 Km. long Karur-Dindigul- Madurai-Thoothukudi section in which Karur- Dindigul was a new line. The broad gauge conversion of Tiruchirappalli-Dindigul line marks the culmination of the third and final phase of 434 Km. long Chennai- Tiruchirappalli- Madurai-Thoothukudi Project completed in 1993. The Chennai-Tiruchirapalli-Dindigul gauge conversion was completed in three stages.
The first phase, the 29 km. long parallel broad gauge line was laid between Chennai Beach and Tambaram. It was opened for traffic in April 1995. The second phase between Tambaram and Tiruchirappalli (311 km) was completed and opened for traffic in August 1998. The third and final phase of the conversion of 94 km. line between Tiruchirappalli and Dindigul was
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completed and was opened for traffic since 1st January 1999.
The Tiruchirappalli - Dindigul line after conversion provides a direct and shorter broad gauge connection from Chennai to Kanniyakumari. The broad gauge line has been laid on the original metre gauge alignment, except for a length of 5.50 km. between Kalpattichatram and Ayyalur stations - where a diversion was taken to ease the present rating gradient of 1 in 100 to a more flat gradient of 1 in 150. This facilitates handling heavier goods trains and running passenger trains at higher speeds. The entire diverted route is in cutting and this involved the cutting of 1 5 lakh cubic meters of hard rock in the hilly terrain, the maximum depth of cutting being 25 metre. There are eight major bridges and 196 minor bridges in this section, which have been either constructed, strengthened or modified. The entire section is provided with reinforced pre stressed concrete super structure for the bridges without using a single steel girder.
The track structure adopted is a modern track laid with 52 kg. rails on pre-stressed concrete sleepers to M + 7 density, having a speed potential of 140 kmph. On the diverted portion between Ayyalur and Kalpattichatram 958 meter span pre-stressed concrete road over bridge cum aqueduct for carrying the stream above the track and a 2x6.50 metre span RCC box syphon for allowing water coarse below the track are some of the notable features. The section was a popular route when the metre gauge line was in existence. Now the present converted section provides direct linkage from Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Madurai to Tiruchirappalli, Villupuram, Chennai and beyond. With easier gradients and flatter curves, the distance between Chennai and Thiruvanandhapuram, by this route is shorter than the present connection via Shoranur and Ernakulam.This line also enables faster movement of freight, to and from the southern parts of Tamil Nadu to the northern parts of the country. Dindigul an important station that connects Palani and Coimbatore to Madurai and Tiruchirappalli is a transhipment point between the broad gauge and meter gauge until the section from Dindigul to Palani is taken up for gauge conversion.
Railway Stations in the district The Railway stations in the district are : Thoothukudi-Melur, Milavittan, Thattapparai, Kailasapuram, Pandiapuram, Vanchi-Maniyachi, llavelangal, Kadambur, Kumaraparam, Kovilpatti, Naraikkinaru, Srivaikuntam, Alwar Thirunagari, Nazareth, Kachanvilai, Kurumbur, Arumuganeri, and Kayalpattinam. The passenger trains are halt in these stations, where as the express trains halt at Kovilpatti, Kadambur, Vanchi Maniyachi and Thoothukudi Melur stations. The only express train which originates from Thoothukudi and reaches Chennai Egmore is Chennai-Thoothukudi Pearl City Express. The other express trains which pass through the district are : 1. Nagercoil -Mumbai (GST) Express, 2. Guruvayur - Madurai Express and 3. Tirunelveli - Chennai - Nellai Express. Besides, Thoothukudi - Nagercoil Passenger, Kanniyakumari- Thoothukudi Passenger, Thoothukudi - Tirunelveli Passenger and Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur Passenger trains are also
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run in the district. Track construction work on the Quilon to Tiruchendur route is also in progress.
The Rail and Road connectivity to the Port The main National / State Highways linking with other major cities are : N H 7A linking Thoothukudi withTirunelveli (2 lane). N H 45B linking Thoothukudi with Madurai (via) Ettayapuram, Aruppukottai (2 lane). MDR linking Thoothukudi with Kanniyakumari (via) Tiruchendur (2 lane) along the East Coast.
The National Highways Authority of India have come up with a project for improvement of road connectivity to Thoothukudi Port by widening the two lane Highway - N H 7A (connecting Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli) into 4 lanes at an approximate cost of Rs.180 crore. Thoothukudi Port has agreed to contribute in the form of equity in the SPV limited to 11 percent of the project cost or Rs.25 crore whichever is less. Work order for phase - 1 for four laning of N H 7A between Thoothukudi and Palayamkottai has been issued by National Highways Authority of India. For laning of N H 45B between Thoothukudi - Ettayapuram - Kovilpatti - N H 7, it has assured to take up the work as National Highways Authority of India, as Phase III under National Highways Development Project.
Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and National Highways has announced the MDR to Kanniyakumari will be converted into a National Highway which will be a great boon to ilmenite sand exporters, DCW and TATA’s Titanium Oxide Project.
There is no major problem of rail connectivity as of now. However, completion of Villupuram - Kumbakonam - Thanjavur and Tirunelveli - Quilon Broad Guage conversion projects, double laning of Madurai - Dindigul and improving connectivity to Coimbatore will be of interest to Thoothukudi Port.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 1. Caldwell - History of Tinnevelly, 188, 1 p.38. 2. Report on Important Public Works for 1851. Madras, Fort St.George Gazette 1854, p.77. 3. Report from C.J. Bird, Collector of Tinnevelly, March 1855. 4. C.D. Maclean, Manual of Administration of the Madras Presidency, 1885- Madras, Government Press, p.365. 5. H.R.Pate,Tirunelveli District Gazetteer, 1917, p.243 6. Report on District Roads, for 1853, Madras Fort St.George Gazette, 1858, p.95. 7. H.R. Pate, op.cit, p.243. 8. C.D. Maclean, op.cit.366. 9. Illustrated Guide to the South Indian Railways, pp. 402 - 403. 10. G.O.Ms.No.2993 Public Works Department (Highways) dt. 19 October 1959. 11. Administration Report of Highways Department, 1956-57, Madras Govt. Press -
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1958. 12. District Census Hand Book, Tirunelveli, 1961. 13. Based on the information furnished by the Divisional Engineer, Highways and Rural Works Department, Thoothukudi. 14. Administration Report of the Madras Presidency, 1860. 15. Administration Report of the Madras Presidency, 1866. 16. Report from the Regional Transport Officer, Thoothukudi, October 1997. 17. Ganapathy Pillai, W.E. Ettayapuram Past and Present, 1890, Madras. 18. Caldwell - History of Tinnevelly, 1881, pp. 18-23. 19. Ibid. 20. The Link - Global Trade and Freight Journal,Thoothukudi Port Trust Special,’ 50 years of Independence’- Special Issue. 21. An Article appeared in the Journal of International Transport and Trade Journal (ITTJ) April 1994 - issue. 22. Brochure on Manappad Point Light House, furnished by the Regional Director, Department of Light Houses and Light Ships, Madras, September 1996. 23. Based on the information furnished by the General Manager, Thoothukud: Telecom Circle. 24. Report from the Sub - Divisional Engineer Telegraphs (Thoothukudi), July 1996. 25. Report furnished by the Superintendening Engineer, AIR, Thoothukudi, July 1996.
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