Thoothukudi is a port City situated in the Gulf of Mannar about 125Kms. North of Cape Comorin. Thoothukudi City was elevated as a Corporation on 05.08.2008. This City Municipal Corporation is spread over an extent of 90.663 sq.kms. and has a population of 3,20,466 as per 2001 census. Thoothukudi Corporation is divided into 60 wards after its expansion in the year 2011 and these wards are comprised in four zones – (i.e) East, West, North & South. East zone has 14-16 and 19-33 wards, West zone has 34-47 wards, North zone has 1-13 and 17,18 wards and South zone has 48-60 wards.
It is served by three main roads which radiate to Madurai, Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli. It is also the terminal of the broad gauge railway line which connect Thoothukudi with the Southern Railway broad gauge system.
The majority of the people of the city are employed in salt pans, sea-borne trading, fishing, and tourism.
Thoothukudi is known as “Pearl City” due to the pearl fishing carried out in the town. It is a commercial seaport which serves the inland cities of Southern India and is one of the sea gateways of Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the major seaports in India with a history dating back to the 6th century AD. Open Spaces
