Bifurcation demand grows as Kovilpatti seeks focused development

The municipal town of Kovilpatti, known for its Peanut candy and matchboxes has long been demanding its bifurcation from Thoothukudi district and the formation of separate district to ensure focused development.

The town has strong independent potential, with a substantial number of small to large matchbox manufacturing industries, peanut candy producers , some of the oldest cotton mills, and extensive rainfed agriculture lands in and around Kovilpatti and neighbouring regions.

Manufacturers and residents have constantly urged the government to declare Kovilpatti as a separate district, with the town as its headquarters, by amalgamating suitable nearby regions.

The black soil town, which was earlier part of Tirunelveli district was brought under the Thoothukudi district in 1986 following the latter’s bifurcation.

However, manufacturers allege that while Kovilpatti was on par with Thoothukudi at the time of bifurcation, it has gradually declined due to increased focus on development of Thoothukudfi city.

M.Paramasivam, president, National Small Match Manufacturers’ Association highlighted the need for bifurcation, stating that the manufacturers, farmers and residents currently have to travel nearly 70 km to Thoothukudi to submit their grievances.

Pointing out that Kovilpatti is the second-largest town in Thoothukudi district, he said it hosts a large number of industries. He also noted that the Geographical Indication (GI) tag has been applied for Kovilpatti matchbox, which is further expected to develop trade in the region.

He noted that the presence of an office for the Thoothukudi MP in Kovilpatti would make it easier for residents and manufacturers to submit memoranda and other grievances, and this one of the key reasons behind demand for bifurcation.

Mr. Paramasivam added that even during the renewal of license for purchasing potassium chloride and sulphur for making matchsticks and matchboxes, the manufacturer had to wait for at least six months for its renewal, and the bifurcation would make processes like this swifter.

As the demands for the bifurcation grow stronger many political parties have been expected focus on this issue in the Kovilpatti constituency.

K. Kannan, Kovilpatti Peanut Candy Manufacturers and Distributors Association said that bifurcation is expected to spur industrial and infrastructural development in the region.

He added that there is currently no comprehensive crop security plan for groundnut farmers and forming a separate district could facilitate such measures. He also stressed the need for establishing a groundnut research station to support farmers.

He further added that although Kovilpatti has a government hospital, many departments are lacking at the facility, and patients are mostly referred to Tirunelveli Government Medical College and Hospital.

Speaking on this, Kovilpatti MLA Kadambur Raju, who has again been announced as the AIADMK’s Kovilpatti constituency candidate, said that a proposal for bifurcation had already been submitted during the previous AIADMK regime.

He added that Kovilpatti has abundant resources, and bringing them under a separate administrative unit would result in a more efficient and resourceful district. He asserted that Kovilpatti would definitely be bifurcated from Thoothukudi district, adding that the inclusion of neighbouring areas would be analysed further.

He also noted that proposed river linking projects such as Thamirabarani-Vaippar and Pampa-Vaippar schemes are expected to further boost the region’s development.