Kanya Kumari (Cape Comorin), Nagercoil & Colachel

[jaleelmalik]

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Located 89 km on the South East of the Trivandrum City Centre is the beautiful locale - the Cape Comorin .

This place is the southern most tip of the Peninsular India.
It is the Cape in the Indian Sub-Continent , where the three seas viz.

The Indian Ocean, The Arabian Sea / Laccadive Sea and the Bay of Bengal merge.

It is one of the very rare locations on this mother earth, where we can see the Sun Rise and the Sunset as well.

Cape Comorin is also called Kanya Kumari. (Comorin is the anglicised form of Kumari). Devi Kanya Kumari is the main Idol of the famous temple located in Cape. Apart from this temple, the Gandhi Smrithi Mandapam,
Vivekananda Rock & Thiru Valluvar Statue attract millions.

Nagercoil (located 70 km South of Trivandrum) is the Headquarters of the Southermost District of India (Kanya Kumari). In Tamil Nadu, this District is more popularly called KK District and the people are known as Kumarans. The District was constituted in 1956 (at a time when the State Re-organisation took place) by dividing the elstwhile Trivandrum District and out of the eight Taluks of the then Trivandrum, four were given to Tamil Nadu.

Colachel is an ancient port city, which is historically important. The Dutch Captain Delnoy was defeated by the Travancore Navy at the end of the 'Battle of Colachel'). Colachel is located 50 km south of the Vizhinjam Port in Trivandrum District.

I welcome all to add interestng features on the development of these three places.

I shall also be adding in more informations on the other attractions like
Colachel Port, Uzhavar Chandai, Monday Market, River Thamraparni, Pechipparai Dam, Kothayar Dams, Thripparappu, Kulasekharam,
Padmanabhapuram Palace, Uppalam, Vivekananda Centre, Thiruvitamcode Tunnel,Azhakiyamandapam, Thuckalay, Veli Malay, Maruthua Malay , Marthandam, Vedivechan Coil, Mulagummoodu, Thoduvetty, Saamiyar Madom , Netta etc etc.

Cheers

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by jaleelmalik

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Located 89 km on the South East of the Trivandrum City Centre is the beautiful locale - the Cape Comorin .

This place is the southern most tip of the Peninsular India.
It is the Cape in the Indian Sub-Continent , where the three seas viz.

The Indian Ocean, The Arabian Sea / Laccadive Sea and the Bay of Bengal merge.

It is one of the very rare locations on this mother earth, where we can see the Sun Rise and the Sunset as well.

Cape Comorin is also called Kanya Kumari. (Comorin is the anglicised form of Kumari). Devi Kanya Kumari is the main Idol of the famous temple located in Cape. Apart from this temple, the Gandhi Smrithi Mandapam,
Vivekananda Rock & Thiru Valluvar Statue attract millions.

Nagercoil (located 70 km South of Trivandrum) is the Headquarters of the Southermost District of India (Kanya Kumari). In Tamil Nadu, this District is more popularly called KK District and the people as Kumarans. The District was constituted in 1956 (at a time when the State Re-organisation took place) by dividing the elstwhile Trivandrum District and out of the eight Taluks of the then Trivandrum, four were given to Tamil Nadu.

Colachel is an ancient port city, which is historically important. The Dutch Captain Delnoy was defeated by the Travancore Navy at the end of the 'Battle of Colachel'). Colachel is located 50 km south of the Vizhinjam Port in Trivandrum District.

I welcome all to add interestng features on the development of these three places.

I shall also be adding in more informations on the other attractions like
Colachel Port, Uzhavar Chandai, Monday Market, River Thamraparni, Pechipparai Dam, Kothayar Dams, Thripparappu, Kulasekharam,
Padmanabhapuram Palace, Uppalam, Vivekananda Centre, Thiruvitamcode Tunnel,Azhakiyamandapam, Thuckalay, Veli Malay, Maruthua Malay , Marthandam, Vedivechan Coil, Mulagummoodu, Thoduvetty, Saamiyar Madom , Netta etc etc.

Cheers

Two of Inida's National Highways originate from KK.
They are NH 7 & NH 47.

NH 7 starts from KK and passes thorugh the cities of Tirunelveli, Madurai, Dindigul, Karur, Namakkal , Salem (where it merges with NH 47), Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and so on. (Correct me if I am wrong after Bangalore)

NH 47 originates from NH-7 near the Vivekananda Kendra (about 1.5 from Peninsular India's southern tip) and passes via Nagercoil, Trivandrum, Quilon, Alleppey, Ernakulam, Trichur, Palghat, Coimbatore, Perundurai (Erode's outskirt) and at Salem it ends in NH-7 itself.

Kanya Kumari is connected to other parts of the country by the Indian Railways through Trivandrum (on the Malabar Coast) and via Tirunelveli (on the Coromandel coast).

The nearest major sea port is Tuticorin.

The nearest Airport is Trivandrum International Airport (Less than 90 km).
Madurai Airport is located within a distance of 210 km). Another Airport shall be coming up at Nanguneri in Tirunelveli Distict.

[IndiansUnite]

Originally Posted by jaleelmalik

NH 7 starts from KK and passes thorugh the cities of Tirunelveli, Madurai, Dindigul, Karur, Namakkal , Salem (where it merges with NH 47), Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and so on. (Correct me if I am wrong after Bangalore)

After Bangalore, NH7 keeps on heading north and passes through Hyderabad, Nagpur, Jabalpur and ends at Varanasi.

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by IndiansUnite

After Bangalore, NH7 keeps on heading north and passes through Hyderabad, Nagpur, Jabalpur and ends at Varanasi.

I was sure about it only upto Hyderabad.

Cheers
Jaleel

[jaleelmalik]

Naanjl + Naadu = Naanjinadu.

The elstwhile Travancore had two rice bowls viz.
Naanjinadu and Kuttanadu.

As of now, Kuttanad is in Kerala (scattered over the Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam Districts).

Naanjinadu is in the heart of KK District. (The former Union Minister - BJP Ministry - Naanjil Manoharan represented the Nagercoil Parliamentary Constituency.)

The Trivandrum - Kanya Kumari Highway passes through the heart of Naanji Naadu.

It is this rice bowl that feeds the KK District and the extreme Southern Districts of the Kerala State.

[jaleelmalik]

Folks,

Please check the link below.

http://www.nhai.org/doc/30April08/In...N%2010_BOT.pdf

The Trivandrum Kanya Kumari strectch of the NH 47 shall be converted into a 4/6 lane highway very soon.

So do the Nagercoil - Kavalkkinar sector (NH 47 B)shall also be widened.

Cheers

[jaleelmalik]

Folks,

I'm out of India and hence unable to post the latest pictures of the picturesque KK District. It will be much appreciated, if somebody can volunteer. The action will be much appreciated.

Cheers
Jal

[gsmanibhel]

Nice to see a new blog about a place wher I was born & brought up.Thanks.

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by gsmanibhel

Nice to see a new blog about a place wher I was born & brought up.Thanks.

Hi Mani, if you are in India, please post pictures.

[Subra]

http://www.indiaprwire.com/businessn...0514/30080.htm

With Kerala getting into fast lane for the International Mother port at Vizhinam (project awarded to Lanco yesterday), the prospects for a similar port at Colachel is bleak. Our politicians were talking about this for the past 10 years but no action was taken.

[Raj_network]

http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/15/stor...1551180300.htm

[Arasu]

ORU THAMIZHAN KANNEER VADIKKIRAAN.

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by Subra

http://www.indiaprwire.com/businessn...0514/30080.htm

With Kerala getting into fast lane for the International Mother port at Vizhinam (project awarded to Lanco yesterday), the prospects for a similar port at Colachel is bleak. Our politicians were talking about this for the past 10 years but no action was taken.

Kindly take a note that the development of Vizhinjam Port wil not adversely affect the chances of Colachel. Vizhinjam's profile is entirely different. It has the unique features which no other port in India can offer.

Vizhinjam is going to compete with the Ports at Singapore, Dubai , Colombo,
Salalah and few Malaysian Ports.

Vizhinjam actually needs the development of Colachel (as this being the nearest port) to act as the feeder port. Colachel is also expected to handle the 'overflow traffic' from Vizhinjam.

Also please take a note that the people living on the south western coast of India (especially from Quilon to Kanya Kumari) are having big expectations on the development of these two ports. Let our narrow minds do not adversely affect the hopes & dreams of a huge population that is being neglected by the Governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu for decades, since independance.

WE NEED BOTH VIZHINJAM & COLACHEL - We were divided by the silly politicians for their own gains.

[Subra]

Originally Posted by jaleelmalik

Kindly take a note that the development of Vizhinjam Port wil not adversely affect the chances of Colachel. Vizhinjam's profile is entirely different. It has the unique features which no other port in India can offer.

Vizhinjam is going to compete with the Ports at Singapore, Dubai , Colombo,
Salalah and few Malaysian Ports.

Vizhinjam actually needs the development of Colachel (as this being the nearest port) to act as the feeder port. Colachel is also expected to handle the 'overflow traffic' from Vizhinjam.

Also please take a note that the people living on the south western coast of India (especially from Quilon to Kanya Kumari) are having big expectations on the development of these two ports. Let our narrow minds do not adversely affect the hopes & dreams of a huge population that is being neglected by the Governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu for decades, since independance.

WE NEED BOTH VIZHINJAM & COLACHEL - We were divided by the silly politicians for their own gains.

If both could complement each other, that would be great. TN is also trying to develop Colachel as a mother port.

[madurai veeran]

I dont think its feasible to have both Vizhinjam and Colachel mother ports with just 40 kms between them. If one of the projects make a start then its most likely the other project would be shelved. Its natural that TN govt will press for the development of Colachel port through shipping and transport minister Mr. T.R Baalu.

Already the central govt has allocated money for making a feasibility and project study for the development of Colachel port under the 11th five year plan. Under the plan there is also provision to start the project in the 11th five year plan itself, for which money would be allocated based on the feasibility and other reports submitted.

[madurai veeran]

One month old news, but a very important one for this region.

Central plans to set up container terminal at Colachel

NAGERCOIL: A three-member experts team headed by APVN Sarma, secretary, Department of Shipping and Road Transport, Government of India, K Suresh, chairman, Chennai Port Trust and Srivastava, joint secretary, Ministry of Shipping, visited the Colachel mother port (container terminal port ) site at Colachel in Kanyakumari district and carried out preliminary inspection of the site, here on Friday.

Briefing reporters after inspecting the site, Sarma said that as government has taken a policy decision to set up a mother container terminal, a private agency has been hired to study and submit a feasibility and technical study report.

While noting that about 2,000 acres of coastal land may be needed to set up the major harbour project, he said that the project when completed would be one of the eight major harbours in the world, where international cargo will be handled and it will emerge as a one of the major transit ports in the Indian Ocean.

While observing that care will be taken to set up the project in phases, without any disturbance to the tsunami shelter colonies of the coastal hamlets of Kanyakumari district such as Colachel and Singaravelar Colony, the secretary said that the private agency would submit a study report to the government after which the project implementation would be taken up.

Kanyakumari District Collector Jyothi Nirmala said that only after the feasibility report is generated the government can decide whether it will be a joint venture exercise by the State and Union Governments.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems...l+Nadu&Topic=0

[Subra]

Originally Posted by madurai veeran

I dont think its feasible to have both Vizhinjam and Colachel mother ports with just 40 kms between them. If one of the projects make a start then its most likely the other project would be shelved. Its natural that TN govt will press for the development of Colachel port through shipping and transport minister Mr. T.R Baalu.

Already the central govt has allocated money for making a feasibility and project study for the development of Colachel port under the 11th five year plan. Under the plan there is also provision to start the project in the 11th five year plan itself, for which money would be allocated based on the feasibility and other reports submitted.

I am sure Kerala government and Lanco (who won the bid) is going to oppose Colachel port citing the impact on Vizhinam. That is where the problem will start with politicians fuelling the issue.

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by Subra

I am sure Kerala government and Lanco (who won the bid) is going to oppose Colachel port citing the impact on Vizhinam. That is where the problem will start with politicians fuelling the issue.

No Subra, Kerala Government will not.

They need Colachel to act as the "overflow" port of Vizhijnam.
Also the development of Colachel will ultimately benefit Trivandrum rather than any other city in India.

It is understood from reliable sources that the Kerala-TN Governments haven made joint plans (with Central Assistance) to connect special corridor connecting the Vizhinjam & Colachel Ports via the west coast.

So far the media in Kerala have only welcomed the Colachel Proect.
May be people from other parts of the TN will not understand the feeling of the people who had ben divided into two consequent to state reorganisation.
Yes Trivandrum and KK Districts are geographically, socially & culturally only one and the same. We, the people of South Travancore will support both Colachel and Vizhinjam.
Though the silly politicians try to divide us by various reasons, we are one.

[madurai veeran]

Do you think Lanco who has won the bid will agree to the development of Colachel port. I am sure Lanco if at all signs an MoU will include a rule which prohibits development of ports in the region. The same will be the case with a developer of Colachel too. You must have seen the recent problem between BIAL and HAL airports in Bangalore.

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by madurai veeran

Do you think Lanco who has won the bid will agree to the development of Colachel port. I am sure Lanco if at all signs an MoU will include a rule which prohibits development of ports in the region. The same will be the case with a developer of Colachel too. You must have seen the recent problem between BIAL and HAL airports in Bangalore.

Madurai, we shall be more optimistic.
Let more ports come up.
There is huge potential for ports in South India.
Let it help the Development of the entire India.
Let us not give a stone to our politicians.

Know what ?
Exactly between Colachel & Vizhinjam, a new ship yard is also coming up at Poovar (Coastal border of Trivandrum & KK Districts).

With the commissioning of the 'Sethu Samudram' the ship traffic is going to increase many folds, which even a combination of Colachel & Vizhinjam Ports atb their full capacity may not be able to handle.