Tamil Nadu: Checkpoints without basic amenities
Tamil Nadu: Tourists were disappointed by the lack of parks and basic amenities in the check dam area in Thamiravaruini, Tirunelveli district.
The old Arulmigu Nellaiappa-Kandimathiamman Temple in Tirunelveli city features artistically designed Ayirungal Mandapam, musical pillars, and copper incense burners. The Arulmigu Venkatachalapathy Temple in Krishnapuram, 13 km from Tirunelveli, features magnificent stone sculptures, including Purushamirugam, Arjuna, and Kuravan-Arasi statues. The natural color paintings at the Arulmigu Narampunatha Swamy Temple in Thirupudaimurudur, the Tamil stone sculptures at the Thirukurungudi Namprayar Temple, and the Papanasam Shiva Temple are popular with tourists. The Swayambulinga Swamy Temple and the Kapala Mata Temple in Uvari are popular tourist attractions along the coast.
Additionally, the Papanasam, Soravalar, Manimuthar, Pachaiyar, Kodumudiyar, Nambiar Dams, Papanasam Thalayana, Nadiyunni Dam, Kannadiyan Dam, Sudathmalli Dam, and Marudhur Dam have been built on the Thamiravarunni River. On Pongal, it’s common for families to visit water bodies to bathe, eat, and spend time. Although Tirunelveli district has a natural water body, tourists face significant difficulties due to the lack of toilets and changing rooms.
Water-rich rice: Balasubramani of Thachanallur said: Until the past 15 years, visiting family temples was a major tourist attraction. Advances in transportation and science have significantly changed people’s lifestyles. However, even those with lower incomes have become more inclined to take their children to the best tourist destinations. As for South Tamil Nadu, Tirunelveli is a district with abundant water resources. Although there are new tourist destinations and suitable locations, tourism development is lagging behind. In particular, there has been no progress on the renovation of Manimuthar Park. Although the Soravalar Dam has the perfect site for a park, no action is being taken to renovate it.
Boat traffic at the Karaiyar Dam has been suspended for several years. Tourists face difficulties in the Suttamalli and Marudhur dam areas due to a lack of necessary infrastructure. He is pleased with the new Porunai Museum. He also said that providing basic amenities in areas with abundant natural resources will benefit more people.
Women are facing difficulties: Vimala, a teacher from Palayankottai, said: “Women are facing great difficulties due to the lack of proper changing rooms and restrooms at tourist destinations in Tirunelveli district. The government should provide these facilities on a war footing. Alcoholics are increasingly dominating tourist destinations. Steps should be taken to curb this by setting up checkpoints and removing TASMAC shops.” She added that in places like Papanasam and Uvari, there are no government-run accommodation facilities for families to stay safely at affordable prices. The government should provide these facilities.
Officials’ clarification: Regarding this, the district administration stated: “Several steps are being taken to develop tourist centers in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. More than 100,000 people have visited the Porunai Museum within a month.”
He said it has been decided to create new projects connecting spiritual places along with areas like Kuniyoor, Pathamadai and Vagaikulam, in the same order as pottery, mats and brass items are made.
