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{{about|the city in Tamil Nadu, India|its namesake district|Thoothukudi District}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Thoothukudi
| other_name         = 
| official_name      = 
| settlement_type    = City
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
| photo1a      = Tuticorin Thermal Power Station at Night 1 crop.jpg
| photo2a      = A_view_of_Tuticorin_Port.jpg
| photo2b      = Tuticorin_Airport.jpg
| photo3a      = Marakkanam_Salt_Pans.JPG
| photo3b      = Pinctada_margaritifera_MHNT.CON.2002.893.jpg
| photo4a      = Thiruchendur2.jpg
| photo4b      = Our_lady_of_snows_basilica.JPG
| spacing      = 2
| position     = centre
| size         = 250
| border       = 0
| color        = #000000
| foot_montage = ''Clockwise from the top''<br />[[Tuticorin Thermal Power Station|Thoothukkudi Thermal Power Station]], [[Tuticorin Airport]], [[Pearl|Pearl Oyster of Pearl City]], [[Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi|Our Lady Of Snows Church]], [[Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur|Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple]], [[Salt evaporation pond|Salt Pans in Thoothukudi]] and [[V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority]]
}}
| nickname           = Pearl City, Salt Capital of Tamil Nadu and Sea Gateway of Tamil Nadu.
| image_map          = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = India Tamil Nadu#India3
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
| coordinates        = {{coord|8|48|20|N|78|08|42|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[List of states of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1  =[[File:TamilNadu Logo.svg|22px]]  [[Tamil Nadu]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Thoothukudi district|Thoothukudi]]
| subdivision_type3  = Former name
| subdivision_name3  = Tuticorin
| subdivision_type4  = [[List of regions of India|Region]]
| subdivision_name4  = [[Pandya Nadu]]
| named_for          = [[Macaroon]], [[Parotta]], [[Pearl]] and [[Salt]]
| government_type    = [[Municipal corporation]]
| governing_body     = [[Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation|Thoothukudi City Municipal Corporation]]
| leader_title1      = [[Lok Sabha]] Constituency
| leader_name1       = [[Thoothukkudi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Thoothukkudi]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
Corporation Commissioner
| leader_name        = N. Jagan Periyasamy
Dinesh Kumar C., [[Indian Administrative Service|I.A.S.]]
| leader_title2      = [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|State Assembly]] Constituency
| leader_name2       = [[Thoothukkudi (state assembly constituency)|Thoothukkudi]]
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_metro_km2     = 90.663
| area_rank          = 10
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 29
| population_total   = 500,000
| population_metro   = 411628 <ref name="censusindia.gov.in" />
| population_as_of   = 2024
| population_footnotes = <ref name="UA2011">{{Cite web |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |title=Provisional population totals of UA 2011 |year=2011 |publisher=Census of India |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref>
| population_rank    = [[List of urban agglomerations in Tamil Nadu|10th in Tamil Nadu]]
| population_demonym = Thoothukudian
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 628 0xx
| area_code          = [[Telephone numbers in India|+91-461]]
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| registration_plate = TN-69, TN-92, TN-96
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Literacy]]
| blank1_info_sec1   = 92.10<ref name="censusindia.gov.in" />
| blank1_name_sec2   = [[Climate of India|Climate]]
| blank1_info_sec2   = [[Semi-arid climate#Hot semi-arid climates|BSh]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]])
| blank2_name_sec2   = Coastline
| blank2_info_sec2   = {{Convert|40|km|mi}}
| website            = {{URL|https://thoothukudi.nic.in/}}<br />{{URL|http://www.thoothukudicorporation.com/}}
}}
'''Thoothukudi''' (formerly called '''Tuticorin''') is a [[port city|port]] [[industrial city]] in [[Thoothukudi district]] in the Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]].  It lies on the [[Coromandel Coast]] of the [[Bay of Bengal]]. The city is capital and headquarters of the district.  According to the [[Confederation of Indian Industry]], Thoothukudi has the second highest [[Human Development Index]] in Tamil Nadu, next to Chennai.<ref name="thoothukudi.tn.nic.in">{{cite web |url=http://www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in/files/thoothukudi_vision_2025.pdf |title=Thoothukudi Vision 2025 |website=thoothukudi.tn.nic.in |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032245/http://www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in/files/thoothukudi_vision_2025.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> Thoothukudi City serves as the headquarters of [[Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited]], one of the leading [[List of banks in India#Private Sector Banks|private sector banks]] in India. Major educational establishments in the city include the [[Thoothukudi Medical College|Government Thoothukudi Medical College]], [[Fisheries College and Research Institute]], Tamil Nadu Maritime Academy,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/New-Marine-Training-Academy-at-Tuticorin/articleshow/21407048.cms |title=New Marine Training Academy at Tuticorin |date=27 July 2013 |work=The Times Of India}}</ref> [[V.O. Chidambaram College]], [[Kamaraj College]], [[Anna University]] (Thoothukudi Campus), and Government Polytechnic College.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://list.polytechniccolleges.in/tamil-nadu/ |title=List of Polytechnic Colleges in Tamil Nadu - Polytechnic College List |website=Polytechnic College List |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> The [[V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority]] is one of the major [[ports in India]]. Thoothukudi is an emerging energy and industrial hub of South India.<ref name="solarplaza.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.solarplaza.com/pressrelease/pearl-city-tuticorin-emerging-as-energy-and-indus |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702071009/http://www.solarplaza.com/pressrelease/pearl-city-tuticorin-emerging-as-energy-and-indus |archive-date=2 July 2010 |title=Pearl City Tuticorin Emerging As 'Energy And Industrial Hub' Of South India 6000 Mw Of Power Plants In The Pipeline {{!}} Press Release {{!}} Solarplaza {{!}} The global solar energy (PV) platform}}</ref>

Thoothukudi is known as "Pearl City" due to the pearl fishing carried out in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thoothukudi - City of pearls |url=https://thoothukudi.nic.in/#:~:text=Traditionally%20known%20as%20%E2%80%9CPearl%20City,Read%20More}}</ref> It is a commercial [[seaport]] that 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 CE. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview of Thoothukudi City {{!}} Tuticorin Corporation City {{!}} Thoothukudi Latest News. |url=https://thoothukudicorporation.com/overview-of-thoothukudi-city#:~:text=Thoothukudi%20is%20known%20as%20%22Pearl,to%20the%206th%20century%20AD. |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=thoothukudicorporation.com}}</ref>The city is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled, at different times, by the [[Early Pandyan Kingdom|Early Pandyas]], [[Medieval Cholas]], [[Later Cholas]], Later Pandyas, [[Madurai Sultanate|Ma'bar Sultanate]], Tirunelveli Sultanate, [[Vijayanagar Empire]], [[Madurai Nayaks]], [[Chanda Sahib]], [[Nawab of the Carnatic|Carnatic kingdom]], [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]], [[Dutch Empire|Dutch]], and the [[British Raj|British]]. Thoothukudi was settled by the [[Portugal|Portuguese]], Dutch, and later the [[British East India Company]].

The city is administered by the [[Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation]], which covers an area of {{convert|353.07|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}} and had a population of 500,000 in 2024.The urban agglomeration had a population of 526,000 {{As of|2011|lc=y}}.<ref name="censusindia.gov.in">{{Cite web |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226115159/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf%20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The majority of the people of the city are employed in salt pans, sea-borne trading, fishing, and tourism.

The 21 islands between Thoothukudi and [[Rameswaram]] shores in the [[Gulf of Mannar]] are noted as the first Marine Biosphere Reserve of India and have around 3600 species of flora and fauna.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doe |first=John |title=Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park {{!}} Tamil Nadu Tourism |url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/gulf-of-mannar-marine-national-park |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250114141340/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/gulf-of-mannar-marine-national-park |archive-date=2025-01-14 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Tamilnadu Tourism |language=en}}</ref> This protected area is called the [[Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park]]. [[Our Lady of Snows Basilica|Our Lady of the Snows Basilica]] festival is celebrated annually in August. This and the Shiva temple festivals, including Adi Amavasai, Sasti, and Chittirai chariot festivals, are the major festivals of the area. Roadways are the major mode of transport to Thoothukudi, while the city also has rail, air, and sea transport.

==History==
Thoothukudi is also known by the name 'Pearl City'. It is also called the "Sea Gateway of Tamil Nadu."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thoothukudi - Wikimapia |url=http://wikimapia.org/10454990/Thoothukudi |access-date=20 March 2018 |website=wikimapia.org}}</ref> Thoothukudi is part of the [[Pearl Fishery Coast|Pearl Fishery]] Coast and is known for its [[pearl]] fishing and [[shipbuilding]] industries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thoothukudi.nic.in/upinfo/tourism/tutytourism.pdf |title=Thoothukudi Tourism |last=Thoothukudi district |year=2011 |publisher=Thoothukudi district, Government of India |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref>

The ancient town of [[Korkai]], near present-day Thoothukudi, has been a center for maritime trade and pearl fishing for more than 2000 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doe |first=John |title=Korkai, Thoothukudi {{!}} Tamil Nadu |url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/korkai-thoothukudi |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241107173148/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/korkai-thoothukudi |archive-date=2024-11-07 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Tamilnadu Tourism |language=en}}</ref> [[Ptolemy]]'s geography refers to Korkai as a center of pearl fishing while describing commercial relations between western India and [[Alexandria]], the chief eastern emporium of the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] Empire.<ref name="kanaka2">{{Cite book |last=Kanakasabhai |first=V |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VuvshP5_hg8C&q=Tamilakam&pg=PA1 |title=The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago |publisher=Asian Educational Services |year=1997 |isbn=8120601505 |page=10}}</ref><ref name="shinu2">{{Cite journal |last=Abraham |first=Shinu |year=2003 |title=Chera, Chola, Pandya: using archaeological evidence to identify the Tamil kingdoms of early historic South India. |url=https://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=GfpTLJYcL1XJGP4Vv1mSvT1hvmCvCxGMhrrDBZ23l2vmKVN1JkYG!-2096127210?docId=5002047766 |url-status=dead |journal=Asian Perspectives |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=207–223 |doi=10.1353/asi.2003.0031 |s2cid=153420843 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605032249/http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=GfpTLJYcL1XJGP4Vv1mSvT1hvmCvCxGMhrrDBZ23l2vmKVN1JkYG!-2096127210?docId=5002047766 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |access-date=16 September 2017 |hdl-access=free |hdl=10125/17189}}</ref> The ''[[Periplus]]'' says that the [[Pandya dynasty|Pandyan Empire]] extended from Comari towards the north, including Korkai, where the pearl fisheries were.<ref>Majeed, pp. 73</ref> Eventually, the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] took over Thoothukudi. Conducted trade with the Portuguese. The Empire split into [[Nayaka dynasties|Nayak kingdoms]], which were overthrown by the [[Carnatic Sultanate|Nawab of Arcot]]. The Nawab eventually ceded the land to the British in 1801.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=7 September 2019 |title=HC rules in favour of the Prince of Arcot |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/hc-rules-in-favour-of-the-prince-of-arcot/article29356323.ece |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In the 16th century, the Portuguese established ports in Thoothukudi, which they called ''Tuticorim'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Thoothukudi |url=https://thoothukudi.nic.in/history/}}</ref> and the Dutch occupied these ports in the 17th century as evidenced by [[Pagoda (coin)|Pagoda coins]]. During the 18th century the British overpowered and occupied the town. Being a port town, the town received attention from the rulers for improving their trade, and so it was brought to Municipal status in 1866.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thoothukudicorp.tn.gov.in/PDF/pclosure/Tuti_cdp.pdf |title=Thoothukudi History |last=Thoothukudi district |year=2011 |publisher=Thoothukudi district, Government of India |access-date=30 December 2012 |archive-date=17 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617092505/http://thoothukudicorp.tn.gov.in/PDF/pclosure/Tuti_cdp.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Cruz Fernandez|Rao Bahadur Cruz Fernandez]] and [[J. L. P. Roche Victoria]] as the chairmen of municipal corporation made significant contributions, laying the foundations for a modern Thoothukudi.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

On 20 October 1986, a new district, carved out of the erstwhile Tirunelveli district was born in Tamil Nadu and named after V. O. Chidambaranar, a prominent national leader hailing from Ottapidaram who led the Swadeshi Movement in the south. Since 1997, the district has been named after its headquarters town, Thoothukudi.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=20 October 2022 |title=Thoothukudi marks 36 years of its formation |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/Oct/19/thoothukudi-marks-36-years-of-its-formation-2509922.html |access-date=14 September 2024 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

Thoothukudi became the citadel of freedom struggles in the early of the 20th century.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in/profile.html |title=Thoothukudi District |website=www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref>

===History of the ports===
[[File:Dutch Tuticorin.jpg|thumb|left|View of the Dutch port in Thoothukudi, in 1752]]

The major harbour of Thoothukudi is well known as a pearl diving and fishing centre. It is one of the oldest seaports in the world and was the seaport of the [[Pandya]]n kingdom after [[Korkai]], near Palayakayal. It was later taken over by the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] in 1548, captured by the Dutch in 1658, and ceded to the British in 1825. The lighthouse built in 1842 marked the beginning of the history of harbour development in the city. Thoothukudi was established as a Municipality in 1866 with [[J. L. P. Roche Victoria|J.M.B. Roche Victoria]] as its first chairman.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Joseph |first=J Praveen Paul |date=22 July 2014 |title=The Tuticorin-Sri Lanka link |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-tuticorinsri-lanka-link/article6236885.ece |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

It attained the status of corporation on 5 August 2008, after 142 years of being a municipality. Thoothukudi Corporation is divided into 60 wards after its expansion in 2011, and these wards comprise four zones—i.e., East, West, North, and 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thoothukudicorp.tn.gov.in/about_Corporation.html |title=Welcome to Thoothukudi Corporation<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=tn.gov.in |access-date=20 March 2018 |archive-date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307070006/http://thoothukudicorp.tn.gov.in/about_Corporation.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[[Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation]]</ref>

The minor port of the Thoothukudi anchorage port with lighter-age facilities has had flourishing traffic for over a century. The first wooden jetty at this port was commissioned in 1864. This port was used for the export of salt, cotton yarn, senna leaves, palmyrah stalks, palmyrah fibers, dry fish, country drugs, and other goods to neighboring countries and for the import of coal, cotton, copra, pulses, and grains. The minor port of Thoothukudi has the distinction of being the intermediate port, handling the highest traffic tonnage of over 1 million per year.<ref name="ReferenceA" />

==Geography and climate==
Thoothukudi is a port town situated in the Gulf of Mannar, about {{convert|125|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} north of KanyaKumari, and its environs form part of the coastal belt, which forms a continuous stretch of flat country relieved here and there by small rock outcrops. The region surrounding Thoothukudi is liberally dotted with rain-fed tanks. The red soil found on the southern side of Thoothukudi town is composed of quartz and variable quantities of fine red dry dust. The port is an all-weather one. The bay formed by Hare Island, Devils Point, and the main land gives ample protection to the lighters from monsoonal weather. The beach of Thoothukudi is characterized by a calm breeze and very low waves, giving the image of a big river.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in/location.html |title=Thoothukudi District |website=www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref>

{{Location map many | India Thoothukudi 
| width = 200
| float = middle 
| label1 = Thoothukudi 
  | pos1 = left
  | bg1 = cyan 
  | label1_width = 8
  | mark1size = 6
  | coordinates1 = {{coord|8.7642|N|78.1348|E}}
}}

Thoothukudi is located at {{Coord|8.7642|N|78.1348|E}}. Thoothukudi is located in [[South India]], on the [[Gulf of Mannar]], about {{convert|604|km|mi|abbr=off}} south of [[Chennai]] and {{convert|125|km|mi|abbr=off}} north of [[Kanyakumari]]. The hinterlands of the port of the city are connected to the districts of [[Madurai district|Madurai]], [[Tirunelveli district|Tirunelveli]], [[Ramanathapuram district|Ramanathapuram]], and [[Tiruchirapalli district|Tiruchirapalli]]. The city mostly has flat terrain and is roughly divided into two by the Buckle Channel. Being in a coastal region, the soil is mostly clay and sandy, and the water table varies between {{convert|1|and|4|m|abbr=on|ft}} below ground level. The city has loose soil with thorny shrubs in the north and salt pans in the south.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiagarajan |first=Kamala |date=22 August 2017 |title=The Lives of the Salt Harvesters of Thoothukudi in a Warming World |url=https://thewire.in/environment/salt-pans-thoothukudi-dehydration-groundwater-climate-change |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=The Wire |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sudhakar |first=P. |date=24 January 2024 |title=Owners having salt pans near ‘Tharuvaikulam odai’ suffer huge loss |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/owners-having-salt-pans-near-tharuvaikulam-odai-suffer-huge-loss/article67773308.ece |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> 

It is located about {{convert|590|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} southeast of [[Chennai]], {{convert|190|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} northeast of [[Thiruvananthapuram]], and {{convert|580|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} southeast of [[Bangalore]].

Thoothukudi experiences a [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''As'') characterized by sweltering summers, hot winters, and occasional heavy rain during the northeast monsoon. Summer extends from March to June, when the climate is very humid. Thoothukudi registers a maximum temperature of {{convert|39|°C|°F}} and a minimum temperature of {{convert|32|°C|°F}}. The city receives adequate rainfall only during the months of October and November.<ref name="urbaninfra62">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report]] 2008, p. 6</ref> The city receives around {{convert|444|mm|in|abbr=on}} rainfall from the [[northeast monsoon]], {{convert|117.7|mm|in|abbr=on}} during the summer, {{convert|74.6|mm|in|1|abbr=in}} during the winter, and {{convert|63.1|mm|in|1|abbr=in}} during the [[south-west monsoon]] season. The coolest month is January, and the hottest months are from May to June. The city has very high humidity being in the coastal sector.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xM0cejrCyEoC&q=tuticorin+climate&pg=PA53 |title=Environment And Toxicology |last=Kumar |first=Arvind |year=2005 |publisher=APH Publishing Corporation |isbn=81-7648-917-4 |page=53}}</ref>

The 21 islands between Thoothukudi and [[Rameswaram]] shores in the Gulf of Mannar are notified as the first Marine Biosphere Reserve of India. About 36,000 species of flora and fauna exist in the region, which is covered with mangroves, sandy shores, and sea grass beds that are conducive to turtle nesting.<ref name="J.102">[[#J.|J.]] 2008, p. 10</ref> The region around the Thoothukudi shores is home to rare marine flora and fauna. [[Coral reefs in India|Coral reefs]] and pearl oysters are some of the exotic species, while [[algae]], [[reef fish]], [[holothurians]], [[shrimps]], [[lobsters]], crabs, and [[Mollusca]] are very common.<ref name="Hirway2" /><ref name="J.142">[[#J.|J.]] 2008, p. 14</ref> Out of the 600 recorded varieties of fish in the region, 72 are found to be commercially important.<ref name="J.172">[[#J.|J.]] 2008, p. 17</ref> The thermal discharge from the thermal plants and excessive brine runoff from the salt pans impact the flora and fauna in the region to a large extent.<ref name="J.142"/><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yeSckQCzVq0C&q=tuticorin+flora&pg=PA342 |title=Fisheries Development in India: The Political Economy Of Unsustainable |last=Korakandy |first=Ramakrishnan |year=2008 |publisher=Kalpaz Publications |isbn=978-81-7835-634-1 |location=Delhi |page=342}}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location = Thoothukudi (1991–2020, extremes 1955–2020)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 33.3
| Feb record high C = 35.8
| Mar record high C = 38.5
| Apr record high C = 39.1
| May record high C = 41.1
| Jun record high C = 40.5
| Jul record high C = 39.8
| Aug record high C = 39.3
| Sep record high C = 39.7
| Oct record high C = 38.6
| Nov record high C = 35.3
| Dec record high C = 33.8
| year record high C = 41.1
| Jan high C = 30.0
| Feb high C = 30.7
| Mar high C = 32.2
| Apr high C = 33.5
| May high C = 34.6
| Jun high C = 35.9
| Jul high C = 35.9
| Aug high C = 35.3
| Sep high C = 34.4
| Oct high C = 32.5
| Nov high C = 30.4
| Dec high C = 29.8
| year high C = 32.9
| Jan low C = 22.1
| Feb low C = 22.8
| Mar low C = 24.4
| Apr low C = 25.8
| May low C = 26.4
| Jun low C = 26.3
| Jul low C = 26.2
| Aug low C = 26.0
| Sep low C = 25.6
| Oct low C = 24.6
| Nov low C = 23.5
| Dec low C = 22.6
| year low C = 24.7
| Jan record low C = 15.3
| Feb record low C = 16.5
| Mar record low C = 15.6
| Apr record low C = 19.9
| May record low C = 21.1
| Jun record low C = 21.3
| Jul record low C = 20.4
| Aug record low C = 20.7
| Sep record low C = 20.0
| Oct record low C = 17.7
| Nov record low C = 16.7
| Dec record low C = 15.6
| year record low C = 15.3
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 18.5
| Feb rain mm = 36.2
| Mar rain mm = 39.9
| Apr rain mm = 42.6
| May rain mm = 22.8
| Jun rain mm = 3.7
| Jul rain mm = 4.2
| Aug rain mm = 7.8
| Sep rain mm = 18.6
| Oct rain mm = 168.3
| Nov rain mm = 210.0
| Dec rain mm = 109.9
| year rain mm = 682.4
| Jan rain days = 1.5
| Feb rain days = 1.6
| Mar rain days = 1.7
| Apr rain days = 2.5
| May rain days = 1.4
| Jun rain days = 0.4
| Jul rain days = 0.3
| Aug rain days = 0.5
| Sep rain days = 1.1
| Oct rain days = 6.8
| Nov rain days = 9.9
| Dec rain days = 5.1
| year rain days = 32.7
| time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 76
| Feb humidity = 76
| Mar humidity = 76
| Apr humidity = 79
| May humidity = 74
| Jun humidity = 65
| Jul humidity = 64
| Aug humidity = 68
| Sep humidity = 72
| Oct humidity = 78
| Nov humidity = 81
| Dec humidity = 79
| year humidity = 74
| source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf
| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020
| publisher = [[India Meteorological Department]]
| access-date = April 8, 2024
}}</ref><ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Station: Tuticorin Climatological Table 1981–2010
| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = January 2015
| pages = 763–764
| access-date = 19 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M206
| access-date = 19 March 2020}}</ref>
}}Thoothukudi has been ranked 29th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 3 population under 3 lakhs cities) in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}</ref>

==Demographics==

{{Historical populations
|align = right
|state = expanded
|1961|124230
|1971|159506
|1981|180832
|1991|199654
|2001|320270
|2011|411628| footnote = Sources:<br />
* 1961–2001<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/features_population.html |title=Area and Population, Tuticorin corporation Population |year=2011 |publisher=Thoothukudi Corporation |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221035241/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/features_population.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 2011<ref name="censusindia.gov.in"/>
}}

Thoothukudi was a port town during the period of [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]], [[Dutch Empire|Dutch]] and British in the 16th–19th centuries. The city expanded after 1907 due to the presence of public establishments. Residential and industrial growth was maximum around Palayamkottai and Ettaiyapuram roads between 1907 and 1930.<ref name="urbaninfra12">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report]] 2008, p. 12</ref>

{{bar box
|title= Religion in Thoothukudi City (2011)<ref name="religion2011">{{cite web|title=Table C-01 Population By Religious Community - Tamil Nadu|year=2011|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11392/download/14505/DDW33C-01%20MDDS.XLS|format=XLS|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Tamil Nadu|Hindus]]|darkorange|64.97}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in Tamil Nadu|Christians]]|blue|30.14}}
{{bar percent|[[Tamil Muslim|Muslims]]|green|4.74}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.15}}}}

According to [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], Thoothukudi city had a population of 237,830 with a sex-ratio of 1,010 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.<ref name="dashboard">{{Cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/index.html |title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals |year=2013 |publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |access-date=26 January 2014}}</ref> Thoothukudi had an average literacy rate of 92.10% with male literacy being 94.84%, and female literacy being 89.37%.

A total of 24,959 were under the age of six, constituting 12,684 males and 12,275 females. [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]] accounted for 7.42% and 0.1% of the population, respectively.<ref name="dashboard" /> The city had a total of 60,714 households. There were a total of 83,669 workers: 114 cultivators, 154 main agricultural labourers, 1,498 in house hold industries, 77,420 other workers, 4,483 marginal workers, 69 marginal cultivators, 25 marginal agricultural labourers, 280 marginal workers in household industries and 4,109 other marginal workers.

At the time of the 2011 census, Thoothukudi urban agglomeration had a population of 411,628. A total of 42,756 of the population was under 6 years of age.<ref>{{Cite web|year=2011|title=2011 census|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref>

Tamil is the predominant language in the city and is spoken by almost 99% of the population. The dialect is the Thoothukudi Tamil which is related to [[Tirunelveli Tamil|Nellai Tamil]]. English is also widely spoken.<ref name="2011census">{{Cite web|title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue (Town) - Tamil Nadu|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10259/download/13371/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-3300.XLSX|year=2011|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

In Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation 65% of the population are Hindus, 30% Christians and 5% Muslims. In the urban agglomeration overall, 71% are Hindus, 25% Christians and 4% Muslims.<ref name="religion2011"/>

==Economy==
[[File:01Thoothukudi - Salt Pan.jpg|right|thumb|Salt pans near Thoothukudi|alt=salt pans under twilight]]
[[File:NIght Scapes.jpg|thumb|Night Scapes of Pearl City]]
Salt pans in and around the city contribute majorly to the economy of the city. The salt pans produce 1.2&nbsp;million tonnes of salt every year, contributing to 90% of the salt produced in the state and 50% needed by the chemical industries of the state.<ref name="urbaninfra17">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report]] 2008, p. 17</ref> Late industrialist & philanthropist S.K.S.C.Nadarajan who was the head in various commerce & manufacturers forum established the first manufacturing unit of Iodized salt in Thoothukudi, It was the first manufacturing unit of Iodized salt in South India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Company in Thoothukudi {{!}} Tuticorin Salt Company {{!}} Thoothukudi Salt Company {{!}} Tuticorin Salt Company list {{!}} Salt Company in Tuticorin {{!}} Thoothukudi Salt Company list {{!}} Salt Suppliers in Thoothukudi {{!}} Salt Distributors in Tuticorin {{!}} Salt Manufacturers in Tuticorin {{!}} SKSC Salt Company in Thoothukudi |url=https://www.skscsalt.in/salt-company-in-thoothukudi.php |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=www.skscsalt.in}}</ref>

The other major industries are shipping, fishing, agricultural, power and chemical industries. Fishing is one of the largest contributor to the local economy.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/4901/ |title=Major and minor fisheries harbours of India. 6. The fisheries harbour and fishery at Tuticorin |last1=R |first1=Marichamy |last2=B |first2=James, D |date=20 March 1998 |journal=Marine Fisheries Information Service, Technical and Extension Series |access-date=20 March 2018 |last3=H |first3=Mohamad Kasim |last4=M |first4=Rajamani |last5=S |first5=Rengaswamy, V |last6=S |first6=Ameer Hamsa, K M |last7=S |first7=Balasubramanian, T |last8=M |first8=Manickaraja |last9=S |first9=Rajapackiam |first10=Arumugam |last10=G|volume=153 |pages=17–22 }}</ref> Thoothukudi Fishing Harbor is one of the oldest and largest harbors in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/03/stories/2006070315090100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060707035342/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/03/stories/2006070315090100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2006 |title=Tuticorin fishing harbour to be upgraded |date=3 July 2006 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref name="urbaninfra15" />

The [[Tuticorin Thermal Power Station|Thoothukudi Thermal Power Station]] has five 210 MW generators. The first generator was commissioned in July 1979 and the newly built thermal power plant of 1000 MW by NLC and TANGEDCO, the [[NTPL Thermal Power Station]]. In addition to this there are several private power plants like Ind-Barath Thermal Power Limited, Coastal Energen Private Limited, [[Sterlite Industries]] Captive power plant.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nlcindia.com/index.php?file_name=about_01h |title=Proposed thermal power plants |last=Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited |year=2012 |publisher=Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> Thoothukudi Spinning Mills Ltd, Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation, Thoothukudi Alkali Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited, [[Heavy Water Board]] Plant, Venus Home Appliances, S.K.S.C.Nadarajan & Bror.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Manufacturers in Thoothukudi {{!}} Salt Traders in Thoothukudi {{!}} Salt Suppliers in Thoothukudi {{!}} Salt Dealers in Thoothukudi {{!}} Salt Company in Thoothukudi {{!}} Salt Distributors in Thoothukudi {{!}} Salt Production in Thoothukudi {{!}} Salt Exporters in Thoothukudi {{!}} SKSC Salt Manufacturers in Thoothukudi |url=https://www.skscsalt.in/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=www.skscsalt.in}}</ref> - Salt manufacturer, P. S. S. Krishnamurthi Exports Private Limited, Madura Coats Private Limited, DCW Limited, Kilburn Chemicals Ltd,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kilburnchemicals.com/ |title=Titanium Dioxide: Titanium Dioxide Manufacturer, Ferrous Sulphate, Titanium Pigment, Anatase Grade, Chemical Manufacturers in India |website=www.kilburnchemicals.com |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dcwltd.com/ |title=DCW Ltd. |website=www.dcwltd.com |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> Nila Sea foods, Diamond Sea foods<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nilaseafoods.com/admins/index.php |title=Nila Sea Foods Pvt. Ltd - Tuticorin<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=nilaseafoods.com |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thoothukudionline.in/menu/business/industries/madura.php |title=Madura Coats Plant in Thoothukudi -- Thoothukudi Online (TOL) -- All about Tuticorin<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=thoothukudionline.in |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref>

Maris Associates, VVD Coconut oil mill, AVM oil mill, Ramesh flowers, Agsar Paints and KSPS Salts are some of the small scale and large scale industries in the city. Thoothukudi is the headquarters city of leading private sector bank [[Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited]] located. It is one of the fastest growing banks in India during the period of 2007–2012. Its total business is worth 360&nbsp;billion. The bank targets a Total Business of 500 Billion INR in 2014–15. The city also has a research institute set up by [[Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cmfri.org.in/ |title=Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute |website=www.cmfri.org.in |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> and a Spices laboratory set up by [[Spices Board of India]].<ref name="urbaninfra15">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report]] 2008, p. 15</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.indianspices.com/ |title=Spices Board |website=www.indianspices.com |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/1322740/report-tamilnad-mercantile-bank-targets-rs-50000-crore-business-by-2013 |title=Tamilnad Mercantile Bank targets Rs 50,000 crore business by 2013 - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis |date=12 December 2009 |website=dnaindia.com |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority.jpg|thumb|V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority|alt=a ship standing in a port|left]]

[[File:Tuticorin Thermal Power Station at Night 1 crop.jpg|thumb|Thoothukudi Thermal Power Station at Night|left]]

Thoothukudi also has a [[State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu]] Industrial Estate and SIDCO's Industrial Estate<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sidco.tn.nic.in/estatepdf/layoutindex.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=4 November 2013 |archive-date=23 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223082021/http://www.sidco.tn.nic.in/estatepdf/layoutindex.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> which comprises several Small scale and Medium scale Industries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sipcot.com/ |title=SIPCOT |website=www.sipcot.com |access-date=20 March 2018 |archive-date=23 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123205614/http://www.sipcot.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> To cope with the increasing trade through Thoothukudi, the Government of India sanctioned the construction of an all-weather port at Thoothukudi. On 11 July 1974, the newly constructed [[V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority]] was declared the tenth major port in India, second only to JN Port (Mumbai) in size. Thoothukudi is an artificial port. During the union budget of 2014–2015, the Central government sanctioned an 11,500 crore Outer Harbour Development Program for Thoothukudi port which is expected to give a push to the export-import sector in southern Tamil Nadu. The project would commence in 2015 and be completed by 2020. The DPR for Outer Harbour was released recently by the Union Shipping Minister. As a port city, almost all major logistics companies (such as [[St John Freight Systems]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110608140515/http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/05/stories/2011060558540700.htm " “Tuticorin, dynamic centre of growth” "]</ref>) have set up office in Thoothukudi.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/make-tuticorin-a-logistics-gateway/article4421393.ece |title=Make Tuticorin a logistics gateway |date=16 February 2013 |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-02/madurai/37389463_1_tuticorin-port-outer-harbour-berths-and-jetties |website=[[The Times of India]] |title=Thoothukudi outer harbour project to commence in Jan 2015<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=20 March 2018 |archive-date=15 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215220639/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-02/madurai/37389463_1_tuticorin-port-outer-harbour-berths-and-jetties |url-status=dead }}</ref> The port also has a dedicated container terminal operated by [[PSA International]]. The port recently commenced the operation of 2nd Container Terminal by ABG (DBGIT) Pvt Ltd. The port handled 0.5 million TEU's in 2013–2014 to become third largest container port among Major Ports of India. The port is also a significant port due to the fact that it is located close to East-West International Sea Route.<ref name="thoothukudi.tn.nic.in" /> The port has direct cargo and container vessel connectivity to all major ports in the world like Colombo, Singapore, JNPT (Mumbai), Mundra, Jebel Ali, Salalah, Rotterdam, Karachi, Hong Kong and much more.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.vocport.gov.in/ |title=Welcome to V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority |website=www.vocport.gov.in |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> This is the third international port in Tamil Nadu and its second all-weather port.<ref name="tutiport">{{Cite web |url=http://www.vocport.gov.in/port/userinterface/BerthFacility.aspx |title=Official website of Tuticorin Port |year=2011 |publisher=Port Trust of India |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=2 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102035055/http://vocport.gov.in/port/UserInterface/BerthFacility.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> The port also helps to increase the tourism in the region. A new ferry has been commenced between Thoothukudi and [[Colombo]]. The Station Commander, [[Indian Coast Guard]] Station Thoothukudi is located at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu under the operational and administrative control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East), Chennai. The Coast Guard Station Thoothukudi was commissioned on April 25, 1991, by Vice Admiral SW Lakhar, NM, VSM and then Director General Coast Guard. The Station Commander is responsible for Coast Guard operations in this area of jurisdiction in Gulf of Mannar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.indiancoastguard.nic.in/Indiancoastguard/org/tuticorin.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=28 October 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029211110/http://www.indiancoastguard.nic.in/Indiancoastguard/org/tuticorin.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Thoothukudi is the end point of the proposed [[Madurai]]-Thoothukudi Industrial Corridor. The study for this Corridor was completed by the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] recently.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/study-for-3-industrial-corridors-on-nh-over/article4634246.ece |title=Study for 3 industrial corridors on NH over |date=20 April 2013 |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The Corridor would consist of four manufacturing regions, one agri-business region, two business investment regions, a special tourism zone, one rural tourism hub and one knowledge hub. The government estimates that this Corridor would attract 1,900,000 crore industrial investment over a period of 10 years. The State Government recently formed a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Speedy implementation of the Project. The upcoming new railway line from Madurai to Thoothukudi via Aruppukotai, Ettayapuram would serve as the backbone for the development of this corridor.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/maduraituticorin-new-direct-rail-line-sought/article2281282.ece |title=Madurai-Tuticorin new direct rail line sought |author=Staff Reporter |newspaper=The Hindu |date=21 July 2011 |via=www.thehindu.com |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/article1511948.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526215722/http://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/article1511948.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2013 |title=Project on Madurai-Tuticorin Industrial Corridor gets push |website=newindianexpress.com |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> Indian Railways Ministry also completed survey of East Coast Railway Route from [[Karaikudi]] to [[Kanyakumari]] via Tuticorin is also waiting for approvals, currently the project is shelved by Railway Board.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/nov/19/new-railway-line-along-ecr-dropped-chennai-cuddalore-link-may-get-nod-next-year-1900147.html | title=New railway line along ECR dropped, Chennai-Cuddalore link may get nod next year | date=19 November 2018 }}</ref>

==Entertainment and leisure==
Thoothukudi has All India Radio Station which Carries AIR External Services for South Asia in English, Sinhala and Tamil (1053&nbsp;kHz).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://allindiaradio.org/external.html |title=All India Stations |year=2012 |publisher=All India Radio |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=16 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416053255/http://allindiaradio.org/external.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> FM Radio Stations in Thoothukudi City include Suryan FM (93.5&nbsp;MHz), Hello FM (106.4&nbsp;MHz). Thoothukudi is the landing point for the first undersea cable of BSNL connecting Thoothukudi with Colombo.<ref name="tutistation">{{Cite news |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=147722 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201151129/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=147722 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2005 |title=BSNL picks Tuticorin to be landing station |work=The Indian Express |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref>

The city has Tharuvai Multi Purpose Stadium which is maintained by Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. Thoothukudi Gymkhana Club has two Synthetic Turf Tennis courts, Thoothukudi is the only other place after Chennai in Tamil Nadu to have this modern facility.<ref name="tuticorin-tennis">{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/28/stories/2009042850960200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502080252/http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/28/stories/2009042850960200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 May 2009 |title=Synthetic turf tennis court inaugurated in Tuticorin |date=28 April 2009 |access-date=29 December 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Tuticorin, India}}</ref> Thoothukudi is known for its bakery items especially Macaroon.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Food/in-search-of-thoothukudi-macaroon/article4170768.ece |title=In search of Thoothukudi macaroon |date=8 December 2012 |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> It is a light, baked confection including ingredients like [[almond]]s, [[coconut]]s and [[Nut (fruit)|nuts]]. [[Thooththukkudi macaroon|Thoothukkudi macaroon]] is slightly different from European macaroons since it contains [[cashew]] as a main ingredient.<ref>[[Tuticorin macaroon|Thoothukkudi macaroon]]</ref>
[[File:Tuticorin Macroons.jpg|thumb|Thoothukkudi Macroons]]

The Shankara Rameshwarar Udanurai Pagampriya Temple, Vaikundapathi Perumal Temple and Jamia Mosque in the centre of the town and the [[Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Thoothukudi|Our Lady of Snows Basilica]] in Kadarkarai Salai are the major religious attractions in the city. The church attracts lot of visitors around the country and is one of catholic pilgrimage centers in India dedicated to [[Virgin Mary]]. The church festival celebrated yearly during last week of July and first week of August, The Shiva temple festivals like Adi Amavasai, Sasti and Chittirai chariot festivals are the major festivals of the land.<ref name="urbaninfra67">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report]] 2008, pp. 6-7</ref>

Bharat Ratna Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Park and Rajaji Park in Tamizh Salai, Nehruji Beach Park and Roche Park in Kadarkarai Salai, M.G.R. Park in Kamarajar Salai, Sankara Narayanan Park in Tooveypuram, Kakkan Park in Boltenpuram and State Bank Colony Park are the attracting corporation parks in the city.

Harbor Beach in Jawaharlal Nehru Salai and Muthu Nagar Beach<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/new-beach-for-tuticorin/article4662335.ece |title=New beach for Thoothukudi |date=28 April 2013 |work=The Hindu |location=Tuticorin, India}}</ref> in Kadarkarai Salai are the major beaches in the city. There are numerous islands located close to the city namely Hare Island (accessible by road), Nalla Thanni Island which attracts lot of visitors during weekends and festival seasons.
The creek opposite to Roche Park has an eco-park with Kayaking facilities that operates everyday from 6 AM to 6 PM. There are a variety of water sports activities in Muthu Nagar beach which includes Jet skiing, Water scooters, Wind surfing, Paddle surfing, Bump rides, Banana boat ride, Fishing, Snorkeling and Scuba diving.

Cleopatra Multiplex, KSPS Ganapathy Kalaiarangam, Perison Plaza Multiscreen, Sathya Theatre, and Sri Balakrishna Talkies are the movie theaters in the city for movie entertainment.

==Transport==
{{main|Transport in Thoothukudi}}
[[File:Sea front Tuticorin 1913.jpg|thumb|Port of Thoothukudi during the [[Madras Presidency]], c.a. 1913]]<mapframe latitude="8.806161" longitude="78.156009" zoom="11" width="200" height="100" align="right" />Thoothukudi has an extensive transport network and is well-connected to other major cities by road, rail, air and sea. The corporation maintains a total length of {{convert|428.54|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The city has {{convert|37.665|km|mi|abbr=on}} concrete roads, {{convert|329.041|km|mi|abbr=on}} black topped surface roads, {{convert|56.592|km|mi|abbr=on}} water bound macadam roads and {{convert|5.242|km|mi|abbr=on}} earthen roads.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/features_roads.html |title=Thoothukudi corporation roads |year=2011 |publisher=Thoothukudi Corporation |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=17 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617130539/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/features_roads.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The major roads within the city are Tamizh Salai connecting [[National Highway 138 (India)|NH-138]], Ettayapuram Salai connecting [[National Highway 38 (India)|NH-38]], Ramanathapuram Salai connecting [[East Coast Road|SH-49]], Tiruchendur Salai connecting SH-176, V.O. Chidambaranar Salai and Victoria Extension Road. The highway V.O.C. Salai outside the city connects the [[V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority|Port Authority]], [[Tuticorin Thermal Power Station|Thermal Power Station]], SPIC industry and [[National Highway 38 (India)|NH-38]]. The city has two bus termini: [[Perarignar Anna Bus Terminus, Thoothukkudi|Perarignar Anna Bus Terminus]] in Meenakshipuram Pradhana Salai and Thoothukkudi New Bus Terminus in Ettayapuram Salai. About 700 buses are operated from these two bus stands to local and intercity destinations.<ref name="urbaninfra1314">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report]] 2008, pp. 13–14</ref>

The [[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation]] operates daily services connecting various cities to Thoothukudi. A new regional headquarters of TNSTC is being established in Thoothukudi which enables better transportation by government buses. The corporation operates a computerised reservation centre in the bus stand of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tnstc.in/counter_address.html |title=S. E. T. C. Tamil Nadu Ltd., Computer reservation centres |year=2011 |publisher=Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd. |access-date=8 June 2012 |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616204353/http://www.tnstc.in/counter_address.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[State Express Transport Corporation (Tamil Nadu)|State Express Transport Corporation]] operates long-distance buses connecting the city to important cities like [[Bengaluru]], [[Chennai]], [[Vellore]], [[Nagapattinam]] and [[Kanniyakumari]]. Thoothukudi being a harbour city has lot of container truck transport. {{As of|2008}}, the number of container trucks entering the city is 1000.<ref name="urbaninfra1314" /> The expansion of [[East Coast Road|ECR]] from Thoothukudi to [[Kanniyakumari]] via [[Tiruchendur]] and [[Koodankulam]] at a cost of {{nowrap|[[File:Indian Rupee symbol.svg|8px|link=Indian rupee sign]]}} 2.57&nbsp;billion sanctioned and is in progress.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/pdf/highways.pdf |title=Tamil Nadu Highways policy note |year=2011 |publisher=Tamil Nadu Highways Department |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref>

[[Thoothukudi railway station|Thoothukudi Railway Station]] is one of the oldest and popular railway stations in India. It is one of few stations in Southern Tamil Nadu to have Pitline facility for Cleaning and Maintenance of Rail Coaches facilitating the operation of Long distance Trains from Thoothukudi.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/plea-to-expedite-pit-line-extension-work/article3208437.ece |title=Plea to expedite pit line extension work |date=24 March 2012 |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The line between Madurai and Thoothukudi was opened in 1874. The lines connecting to Thoothukudi is being electrified recently. Thoothukudi has direct daily rail connectivity to Chennai, Mysore, Coimbatore, Okha, Tirunelveli. [[Vivek Express]] which connects Thoothukudi with [[Okha, Gujarat|Okha]]. [[Pearl City Express]] which connects Thoothukudi with Chennai Egmore Station is one of the Prestigious Trains of Southern Railway. An 8 Coach Link Train to [[Guruvayur Express]] has been introduced recently which connects Thoothukudi with Chennai during daytime.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Plantation Tamils of Ceylon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EYeoXrsn8lIC&q=tuticorin+railway&pg=PA97|page=97|last=Peebles |first=Patrick|date = January 2001| publisher=A&C Black |isbn = 9780718501549}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-map-1893rly.html |title=Railway Map of India&nbsp;– 1893 |year=2006 |publisher=irfca.org |access-date=20 September 2011}}</ref> South Indian Railway began a Madras&nbsp;– Thoothukudi service connecting with the boat to Ceylon in 1899.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history2.html |title=Indian Railways FAQ: IR History: Early Days - 2 |year=2006 |publisher=Irfca.org |access-date=20 September 2011}}</ref> The station was declared a Model Station in 2007 and several infrastructure developments are in process.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/29/stories/2007012911750300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601201550/http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/29/stories/2007012911750300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 June 2008 |title=Plan to upgrade railway station in Tuticorin |date=29 January 2007 |access-date=20 September 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> There is also halt-railway station, known as [[Tuti-Melur Railway Station|Tuti-Melur]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-codecs4.html |title=Indian Railways Station Codes Index |year=2006 |publisher=Irfca.org |access-date=20 September 2011}}</ref>

[[Tuticorin Airport|Thoothukudi Airport]] is at Vagaikulam, {{convert|14|km|0|abbr=on}} from the heart of the city. It has flights to Bengaluru and Chennai operated by [[IndiGo]], it operate daily four services to Chennai and one trip to Bengaluru. The State Government and [[Airport Authority of India]] plans to extend the runway and modernise the airport to handle to more traffic and bigger aircraft. The land acquisition process is completed and AAI is ready to start the expansion works. A new Terminal has been planned and the runway is to expanded to facilitate the movement of Airbus A320 and Boeing 737s.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=83426 |title=Press Information Bureau English Releases |work=Press information bureau |access-date=29 December 2012 |year=2012}}</ref> There was also a proposal in 2009 for a [[Greenfield project|greenfield]] airport.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.freshnews.in/consolidated-construction-to-focus-on-infrastructure-projects-82093 |title=Consolidated Construction to focus on infrastructure projects |date=7 October 2008 |access-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220163007/http://www.freshnews.in/consolidated-construction-to-focus-on-infrastructure-projects-82093 |archive-date=20 February 2009 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service}}</ref> [[Madurai Airport]] is the nearest customs airport with daily international connections to [[Colombo]] and [[Dubai]]. [[Thiruvananthapuram International Airport]] in [[Kerala]] is the nearest international airport located at a distance of about {{convert|200|km|0|abbr=on}}.

[[V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority]] is an artificial deep-sea harbour. It is one of the major ports in India. A luxury ferry liner, the ''[[Scotia Prince]]'', was operating a ferry service to [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]]. Ferry services between the two countries have been revived after more than 20 years.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/TNN13ferrydocTuticorin-Colombo-ferry-sets/articleshow/8842845.cms |title=Tuticorin-Colombo ferry sets sail&nbsp;— |date=14 June 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=20 September 2011}}</ref>

==Municipal administration and politics==
Thoothukudi municipality was established in 1866 during the British Raj. It was promoted to a municipal corporation on 5 August 2008, bringing an area of {{convert|90.663|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}} within the city limits. The municipal corporation has four zones, namely North, East, West, and South. The corporation has 60 wards, and there is an elected councilor for each of those wards.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=About the Corporation |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/about_Corporation.html |access-date=29 December 2012 |publisher=Thoothukudi Corporation}}</ref> The functions of the corporation are devolved into six departments: general administration and personnel, engineering, revenue, public health, city planning, and information technology (IT). All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner, who is the executive head.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2006 |title=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/cma/chart5.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106103849/http://www.tn.gov.in/cma/chart5.htm |archive-date=6 November 2012 |access-date=29 December 2012 |publisher=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration}}</ref> The legislative powers are vested in a body of 60 members, one from each of the 60 wards.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=Councillors of Corporation |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/who_councilors.html |access-date=29 December 2012 |publisher=Thoothukudi Corporation}}</ref> The legislative body is headed by an elected mayor, assisted by a deputy mayor.<ref>{{Cite journal |year=1995 |title=Economic and political weekly, Volume 30 |publisher=Sameeksha Trust |pages=2396}}</ref> Thoothukudi city is the headquarters of the Thoothukudi district.

===Municipal corporation officials===
'''Elected members'''
{|class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Election
!rowspan=2|Position
!rowspan=2|Name
!rowspan=2 colspan=2|Political party
!colspan=3|Term in office
|-
!Assumed office
!Left office
!Time in office
|-
|rowspan=2|2022
|[[Mayor]]
|P. Jegan
|rowspan=2 width=4px style="background-color:{{party color|DMK}}"|
|rowspan=2|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|rowspan=2|4 March 2022
|rowspan=2|''Incumbent''
|rowspan=2|{{age in years and days|2022|03|04}}
|-
|[[Deputy Mayor]]
|S. Jenitta
|}

'''Commissioner'''
{|class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Name
!colspan=3|Term in office
|-
!Assumed office
!Left office
!Time in office
|-
|-
|L. Madhubalan
|15 February 2024
|''Incumbent''
|{{age in years and days|2024|02|15}}
|}

Thoothukudi comes under the [[Thoothukudi (state assembly constituency)|Thoothukudi]] assembly constituency, and it elects a member to the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]] once every five years.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2010 |title=List of Assembly Constituencies |url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/Const_map/map.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614070155/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/const_map/map.htm |archive-date=14 June 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012 |publisher=Tamil Nadu state government}}</ref> From the 1952 elections, the assembly seat was won by the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) five times during the 1952, 1957, 1958, 1960, and 1962 elections; [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) seven times during the 1967, 1971, 1989, 1996, 2006, 2016, and 2021 elections; and [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK) six times during the 1977, 1980, 1984, 1991, 2001, and 2011 elections.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=Partywise Comparison Since 1977 |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/electionanalysis/AE/S22/partycomp227.htm |access-date=29 December 2012 |publisher=Election Commission of India}}</ref><ref name="thehindu.com2">{{Cite news |date=30 June 2016 |title=Demonstration |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/Demonstration/article14410075.ece |access-date=20 March 2018 |newspaper=The Hindu |via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> The [[Thoothukkudi Lok Sabha constituency]] was originally part of the [[Tirunelveli (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tirunelveli constituency]] and was delimited to the Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi constituencies during the 2009 Lok Sabha election. The constituency was formed after the 2008 [[delimitation]] with the following assembly constituencies: [[Vilathikulam Assembly constituency|Vilathikulam]], [[Thoothukkudi Assembly constituency|Thoothukkudi]], [[Tiruchendur Assembly constituency|Tiruchendur]], [[Srivaikuntam Assembly constituency|Srivaikuntam]], [[Ottapidaram Assembly constituency|Ottapidaram]], and [[Kovilpatti Assembly constituency|Kovilpatti]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/12/stories/2009051256490400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105073141/http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/12/stories/2009051256490400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 November 2012 |title=An industrial hub lagging behind in basic facilities |date=9 December 2009 |access-date=29 December 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

===Legislative leaders===
====List of [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|members of parliament]]====
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2|No.
!rowspan=2|Name
!colspan=2|Term of office
!rowspan=2|[[Lok Sabha]]<br/>{{small|([[Elections in India#Parliamentary general elections (Lok Sabha)|Election]])}}
!rowspan=2 colspan=2|Political party
|-
!Assumed office
!Left office
|-
!1
|[[S. R. Jeyadurai]]
|1 June 2009
|18 May 2014
|[[15th Lok Sabha|15th]]<br/>{{small|([[2009 Indian general election|2009]])}}
|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|{{party color cell|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
!2
|[[J. Jayasingh Thiyagaraj Natterjee]]
|4 June 2014
|24 May 2019
|[[16th Lok Sabha|16th]]<br/>{{small|([[2014 Indian general election|2014]])}}
|[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|{{party color cell|All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
!rowspan=2|3
|rowspan=2|[[Kanimozhi Karunanidhi]]
|18 June 2019
|5 June 2024
|[[17th Lok Sabha|17th]]<br/>{{small|([[2019 Indian general election|2019]])}}
|rowspan=2|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|rowspan=2 {{party color cell|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
|25 June 2024
|''Incumbent''
|[[18th Lok Sabha|18th]]<br/>{{small|([[2024 Indian general election|2024]])}}
|}

====List of [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|members]] of the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|legislative assembly]]====
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2|No.
!rowspan=2|Name
!colspan=2|Term of office
!rowspan=2|[[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Assembly]]<br />{{small|([[Elections in Tamil Nadu|Election]])}}
!rowspan=2 colspan=2|Political party
|-
!Assumed office
!Left office
|-
!1
|[[J. L. P. Roche Victoria]]
|3 May 1952
|31 March 1957
|[[1st Madras Assembly|1st]]<br/>{{small|([[1952 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1952]])}}
|rowspan=5|[[Indian National Congress]]
|rowspan=5 {{party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|-
!2
|P. P. M. T. Ponnuswami
|29 April 1957
|24 April 1958
|rowspan=3|[[2nd Madras Assembly|2nd]]<br/>{{small|([[1957 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1957]])}}
|-
!3
|A. Samuel
|3 September 1958
|29 July 1959
|-
!4
|R. J. Sundar Singh
|10 March 1960
|1 March 1962
|-
!5
|[[Ponnusami Nadar|S. Ponnusamy]]
|29 March 1962
|28 February 1967
|[[3rd Madras Assembly|3rd]]<br/>{{small|([[1962 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1962]])}}
|-
!6
|[[M. S. Sivasami]]
|15 March 1967
|5 January 1971
|[[4th Madras Assembly|4th]]<br/>{{small|([[1967 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1967]])}}
|rowspan=2|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|rowspan=2 {{party color cell|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
!7
|[[R. Ramalingam]]
|22 March 1971
|31 January 1976
|5th<br/>{{small|([[1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1971]])}}
|-
!8
|[[N. Dhanasekaran]]
|4 July 1977
|17 February 1980
|6th<br/>{{small|([[1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1977]])}}
|rowspan=3|[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|rowspan=3 {{party color cell|All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
!rowspan=2|9
|rowspan=2|[[S. N. Rajendran]]
|19 June 1980
|15 November 1984
|7th<br/>{{small|([[1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1980]])}}
|-
|25 February 1985
|30 January 1988
|8th<br/>{{small|([[1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1984]])}}
|-
!10
|[[N. Periasamy|N. Periyasamy]]
|6 February 1989
|30 January 1991
|9th<br/>{{small|([[1989 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1989]])}}
|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|{{party color cell|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
!11
|[[V. P. R. Ramesh]]
|1 July 1991
|13 May 1996
|10th<br/>{{small|([[1991 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1991]])}}
|[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|{{party color cell|All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
!(10)
|[[N. Periasamy|N. Periyasamy]]
|22 May 1996
|14 May 2001
|11th<br/>{{small|([[1996 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1996]])}}
|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|{{party color cell|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
!12
|[[S. Rajammal]]
|22 May 2001
|12 May 2006
|[[12th Tamil Nadu Assembly|12th]]<br/>{{small|([[2001 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2001]])}}
|[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|{{party color cell|All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
!13
|[[P. Geetha Jeevan]]
|17 May 2006
|14 May 2011
|[[13th Tamil Nadu Assembly|13th]]<br/>{{small|([[2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2006]])}}
|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|{{party color cell|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
!14
|[[S. T. Chellapandian]]
|23 May 2011
|21 May 2016
|[[14th Tamil Nadu Assembly|14th]]<br/>{{small|([[2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2011]])}}
|[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|{{party color cell|All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
!rowspan=2|(13)
|rowspan=2|[[P. Geetha Jeevan]]
|25 May 2016
|3 May 2021
|[[15th Tamil Nadu Assembly|15th]]<br/>{{small|([[2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2016]])}}
|rowspan=2|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|rowspan=2 {{party color cell|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
|-
|11 May 2021
|''Incumbent''
|[[16th Tamil Nadu Assembly|16th]]<br/>{{small|([[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2021]])}}
|}

==Education and utility services==
{{Main|List of educational institutions in Thoothukudi}}

There are 31 schools in Thoothukudi city, of which 10 are operated by the municipal corporation. There are 31 high schools and higher secondary schools, one of which is a government school. Tuticorin has high literacy rates and lower literacy rate gap between males and females.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/cityservices_education.html |title=Thoothukudi schools |year=2011 |publisher=Thoothukudi Corporation |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=17 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617093954/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/cityservices_education.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are five arts and science colleges, three polytechnics in the city. It also has a Fisheries college in the outskirts affiliated to [[Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University]], [[Nagapattinam]]. There is one government and many private Engineering college affiliated to Anna University in the city and arts colleges on Tamizh Salai and Tiruchendur road. There is also a Government Medical college and Hospital. The colleges are affiliated to the [[Manonmaniam Sundaranar University]] in [[Tirunelveli]]. There are three Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) and about 50 computer training centres also. The city has Government Medical College Hospital and new ESI Hospital is being constructed at the Bypass road.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/chamber-demands-esi-hospital-for-tuticorin/article5307501.ece |title=Chamber demands ESI hospital for Tuticorin |date=2 November 2013 |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in/files/thoothukudi_vision_2025.pdf |title=Vision of Thoothukudi 2025 |year=2011 |publisher=Thoothukudi Corporation |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032245/http://www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in/files/thoothukudi_vision_2025.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Electricity supply to the city is regulated and distributed by the [[Tamil Nadu Electricity Board]] (TNEB). Usage of Plastic polythene bags is banned inside corporation limits. Thoothukudi is the headquarters of the Thoothukudi region of TNEB that has four divisions. The city along with its suburbs forms the Thoothukudi Electricity Distribution Circle. A Chief Distribution engineer is stationed at the regional headquarters.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf |title=Important Address |year=2011 |publisher=Indian Wind Power Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016045943/http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2012 |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> Water supply is provided by the [[Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation|Thoothukudi City Corporation]] from the Tamirabarani with 8 overhead tanks. In the period 2010–2011, a total of 21 million litres of water was supplied everyday for households in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/features_watersupply.html |title=Water Supply Details |year=2011 |publisher=Corporation of Thoothukudi |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref>

About 96 metric tonnes of solid waste are collected from the city every day by door-to-door collection and subsequently the source segregation and dumping is carried out by the sanitary department of the Thoothukudi Municipal corporation. The coverage of solid waste management had efficiency of 94% {{As of|2011|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/features_solidwaste.html |title=Waste management programme |year=2011 |publisher=Thoothukudi Corporation |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> The underground drainage system was constituted in 1984 and covers only certain zones of the corporation area. The remaining sewerage system for disposal of sullage is through septic tanks and public conveniences.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/features_sewage.html |title=Thoothukudi sewarage |year=2011 |publisher=Thoothukudi Corporation |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=17 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617122405/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/features_sewage.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The corporation maintains a total of {{convert|69.47|km|mi}} of storm water drains.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/features_storm.html |title=Storm water drains of Thoothukudi |year=2011 |publisher=Thoothukudi Corporation |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> The corporation operates five health posts throughout the city. Apart from these, there are various private hospitals and clinics that take care of the health care needs of the citizens.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thoothukudi/cityservices_hospitals.html |title=Thoothukudi hospitals |year=2011 |publisher=Thoothukudi Corporation, Government of Tamil Nadu |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref>

Thoothukudi comes under the Thoothukudi Telecom District of the [[Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited]] (BSNL), India's state-owned telecom and internet services provider. Both Global System for Mobile Communications ([[GSM]]) and [[Code division multiple access]] (CDMA) mobile services are available. Apart from telecom, BSNL also provides [[broadband internet]] service.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/broadband_list_of_cities.pdf |title=List of cities where BSNL broadband service is available (As on 01.01.2007) |year=2007 |publisher=Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204070855/http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/broadband_list_of_cities.pdf |archive-date=4 February 2007 |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> Thoothukudi is one of the few cities in India where BSNL's Caller Line Identification (CLI) based internet service Netone is available.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/cities_cli.htm |title=List of cities where Calling Line Identification (CLI) Based Internet Service is available |year=2007 |publisher=Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308094431/http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/cities_cli.htm |archive-date=8 March 2012 |access-date=29 December 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Environmental Issues ==
Air Pollution is the major environmental challenge faced by Thoothukudi while water and noise pollution are environmental issues too. Thoothukudi is the only city from the state of Tamil Nadu to be listed as one of the Non-attainment cities by Ministry of Environment primarily on the basis of excess [[PM10]] under the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP) for the period 2011 - 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cpcb.nic.in/uploads/Non-Attainment_Cities.pdf |title=Non Attainment Cities India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2018/aug/05/thoothukudi-sole-city-from-tn-to-have-high-levels-of-air-pollution-1853528.html |title=thoothukudi-sole-city-from-tn-to-have-high-levels-of-air-pollution}}</ref>

The city has a lot of red industries as a result of which the [[PM10]] — tiny airborne particles seven times finer than human hair–exceeds national standards (60 micrograms per cubic metre, or μg/m<sup>3</sup>) by around 200 per cent. Indian Standards for [[PM10]] is three times higher than WHO standards for PM10 particles which is 20 micrograms per cubic metre. Environmentalists blame public and private coal-fired thermal power plants, copper smelter and chemical industries for polluting the air quality of Thoothukudi.

A 2010 study<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/jebt/article/view/29/29 |title=Impact of environmental pollution on health: A sociological study in Tuticorin industrial town, TN, India|journal=Journal of Ecobiotechnology|date=28 June 2010|last1=Maharajan|first1=K.|last2=Samual|first2=Kirubakaran}}</ref>{{predatory publisher}} published in the Journal of Ecobiotechnology cites Industrial pollution in Thoothukudi as a major cause for various health issues. Respondents of the study had various health issues like [[Cutaneous condition|skin diseases]], eye irritation, [[asthma]], [[allergy]], [[Respiratory disease|respiratory problems]], [[cancer]] and [[hypertension]]. The study also observed that Industrial disposals and other chemical contaminates that enter waterways through agricultural runoff, storm water drains, and industrial discharges may persist in the environment for long periods and be transported by water or air over long distances. They disturbed the function of the endocrine system, resulting in reproductive, developmental, and behavioral problems. The [[endocrine disruptor|endocrine disrupters]] reduced the fertility and increased the occurrence of still births, birth defects, and hormonally dependent Cancers such as breast, testicular, and prostate cancers. The effects on the developing nervous system can include impaired mental and psychomotor development, as well as cognitive impairment and behavior abnormalities. Studies like these led the people of Thoothukudi to protest for the closing of the Sterlite plant in May 2018. On the 22nd of that month, the police [[Thoothukudi massacre|opened fire]] on protestors killing 13 and injuring 102. The plant was soon closed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-sterlite-protest-live-updates-tuticorin-thoothukudi-death-toll-vedanta-copper-plant-443641|title=Anti-Sterlite protests: 13 dead, 102 injured in Thoothukudi; electricity supply to Sterlite Industries cut off {{!}} As it happened|last=Shantanu|first=Shashank|date=2018-05-24|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-17}}</ref>

==Research Institutes/Centres==

There are many central and state government research institutes/centres also situated inside and outskirt of Thoothukudi city. Those are: [[Fisheries College and Research Institute]] (FCRI) outside on Harbour bybass road,<ref name="auto">[[Fisheries College and Research Institute]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=January 2018}} Thoothukudi Research Centre of The [[Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute]] (CMFRI) on the Beach road,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cmfri.org.in/tuticorin.html |title=Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute |website=www.cmfri.org.in |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI) on Beach road,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sdmri.in/ |title=Marine Research Institute in India |website=Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute |access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> Outreach Centre of CSIR-[[Central Electrochemical Research Institute]] (CERI) in new harbour area, Thoothukudi<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cecri.res.in/OutreachCentres/Tuticorin.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628133231/http://www.cecri.res.in/OutreachCentres/Tuticorin.aspx |archive-date=28 June 2013 |title=CSIR-CECRI > Outreach Centres > Tuticorin}}</ref> and Sub-Regional office of The [[Marine Products Export Development Authority]] (MPEDA) in Millerpuram.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mpeda.gov.in/MPEDA/cms.php?id=Y29udGFjdC11cw==# |title=The Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) |website=mpeda.gov.in |access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Tuticorin Airport]]
*[[Thoothukudi massacre]]
*[[Tuticorin Railway Station]]
*[[Tuti-Melur Railway Station]]
*[[Perarignar Anna Bus Terminus, Thoothukkudi|Perarignar Anna Bus Terminus]]
*[[V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==References==
*{{Cite report |url=http://thoothukudicorp.tn.gov.in/PDF/pclosure/Tuti_cdp.pdf |title=Conversion of City Corporate Plan into Business Plan |last=Urban Infrastructure report |publisher=Tamilnadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited |access-date=1 April 2011 |year=2008 |ref=urban |archive-date=17 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617092505/http://thoothukudicorp.tn.gov.in/PDF/pclosure/Tuti_cdp.pdf |url-status=dead }}
*{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XwVX-85oI0EC&q=tuticorin+flora&pg=PA17 |title=Environment Impact Assessment |last1=J. |first1=Sacratees |last2=R. Karthigarani |publisher=APH Publishing House |year=2008 |isbn=978-81-313-0407-5 |ref=J. |access-date=1 April 2011}}

==External links==
{{wikivoyage|Thoothukudi}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.thoothukudiinfo.com/ Thoothukudiinfo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118124848/http://www.thoothukudiinfo.com/ |date=18 January 2019 }}
* [http://www.thoothukudi.nic.in/ Thoothukudi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606215009/http://www.thoothukudi.nic.in/ |date=6 June 2015 }}
* [http://www.thoothukudicorporation.com Thoothukudi Corporation]
* [http://www.vocport.gov.in/ V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust]

{{Municipal corporations of Tamil Nadu}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Thoothukudi| ]]
[[Category:Former Portuguese colonies]]
[[Category:Gulf of Mannar]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Thoothukudi district]]
[[Category:Port cities in India]]