The Viswanathapuram junction on NH7 bypass, near Kanyakumari, is very important as the ECR commences at this point. Many people prefer this route for travel to Tiruchendur, Tuticorin, Rameswaram, Keelakkarai, Velankanni, Nagore and even to Chennai.
The KKNPP is also functioning on this road. So a large number of vehicles pass through this junction from all directions. There is an urgent need to regulate vehicular traffic at this junction to prevent frequent accidents.
I request the authorities to construct an overbridge here for vehicles going to Kanyakumari from Valliyoor and those proceeding to Valliyoor and Madurai from Kanyakumari.
Vehicles on the ECR from Kanyakumari will take the service road and take a right turn. Vehicles coming from the northern side can take the service road and a left turn to reach the ECR. This way, traffic can be regulated to ensure a safe journey.
S.J. Sylvestine,
Koottapuly.
New BG line
At present, a passenger train service is operated from Tuticorin to Tiruchendur through Vanchi Maniyachi and Tirunelveli.
No passenger from Tuticorin will avail this service to reach Tiruchendur as it will take at least four hours. One can reach Tiruchendur in an hour by bus. At the most, the present service may benefit passengers as a link service at Vanchi Maniyachi and Tirunelveli to board the express trains from Nagercoil and Tiruchendur to Chennai and other places. Alternatively, a new broad gauge line may be provided between Tuticorin and Tiruchendur by connecting SPIC Nagar, Mullakkadu, Authoor and Arumuganeri. Already, Arumuganeri has a broad gauge line to Tiruchendur on which the Chennai-Tiruchendur Express is operated. A preliminary and feasibility study and survey have already been conducted on this line at the time of surveying the feasibility of a coastal line from Kanyakumari to Chennai. Tiruchendur is not only a tourist centre but also a town of festivals. The State government, at the time of every festival, makes elaborate arrangements to operate special buses to Tiruchendur from various places. The Tuticorin Member of Parliament must ensure that the new line is included in the ensuing railway budget.
N. Kasilingam,
Tuticorin.
Stinking toilets
Toilets and urinals are not being maintained properly in more schools. It is unpleasant to learn that nauseating smell emanating from them makes the students opt for open defecation. Hence, officers of Department of School Education should ensure that toilets and urinals of schools are maintained properly. Failure to do so will tell upon not only the academic standard of schools but also the health of students. The department should pay special attention to providing such basic amenities in schools.
K. Chelliah,
Aundivillai.
Showcase SEZs
This refers to the news report, 'Japanese delegates visit Nanguneri Multiproduct SEZ' ( The Hindu , Feb. 4, 2015). It was cheerful to read the news that Japanese delegates visited the Nanguneri and Gangaikondan SEZs recently and assured that they will persuade the industrialists in their country to set up shop in these two SEZs. As the head of the delegation has stated, the Nanguneri SEZ is an excellent place with adequate land and infrastructure. In this connection, I am to state that though a number of foreign companies evinced interest in investing in these two SEZs, nothing seems to have materialised because of lack of follow-up action.
Since a number of colleges are situated in and around Tirunelveli, sufficient manpower is available. Cost of living is comparatively cheap and the required workforce is also available here. The district administration, in collaboration with other departments, should put up good road shows in the upcoming Global Investors Meet so that the two SEZs wooed investors.
S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli.
Kudos to students
Hats off to the students of Lady Doak College, Madurai, who volunteered to donate a few inches of their long hair in fulfilment of the hair donation drive, “Tangled,’ for the noble cause of making wigs for patients at the Adyar Cancer Institute and that too in the month of February when the whole world observes the World Cancer Day on the 4th. Indeed, every woman in Tamil Nadu, especially young women, considers it a pride to have long hair but the contribution of these college students is highly laudable as they have wholeheartedly lent a helping hand. No doubt, students of women’s colleges in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari districts, on reading the news in The Hindu, would have gained the motivation to contribute their mite for this hair donation camp.
I wish to point out that there is little awareness among young women about donating blood.
Being a member of the Indian Red Cross Society, Tirunelveli branch, I have noticed very few women, compared to hundreds of men, at blood donation camps. Proper awareness of blood donation must to created in women’s colleges through Youth Red Cross, NSS, and other clubs.
E. Rajakumar Arulanandham,
Palayamkottai.
