Kanniyakumari constituency: Where agriculture is on the decline and tourism awaits growth

The Kanniyakumari assembly constituency which has the largest number of electorates in the district, has a total of 2,86,968 voters, including 1,41,230 men,1,45,643 women and 95 others, following the recently conducted Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Tamil Nadu.

Although Kanniyakumari district has traditionally been a stronghold of national parties such as Congress, Communists and BJP, since 1971 this constituency has elected its MLAs from either AIADMK or DMK. Over 45 years, only AIADMK has won twice continuously in the 1980 and 1984 elections. Otherwise the seat has alternated between AIADMK and DMK.

The constituency has witnessed 10 MLAs since 1971, notably N. Suresh Rajan of DMK and N. Thalavai Sundaram of AIADMK have got selected twice, from the constituency, and for the third time Mr. Sundaram was announced as a candidate for AIADMK for the same constituency.

Despite the constituency having a major number of paddy fields in the district covering regions such as Thazhakudy, Theroor, Nallur, Suchindram, Parakkai, Kadukkarai, Boothapandy, Therekalputhor and others, several grievances of the farmers are yet to be addressed.

Thanu Pillai, president of Nanjil Nadu Puthanar Pradhana Canal said that the district once had 25,000 hectares of paddy fields, now has only 4,500 hectares of paddy fields and three fourth of them fall within the Kanniyakumari Assembly constituency.

“Pechiparai and Perunchani serve as two most important dams for irrigation till tail-end lands, and canals have been constructed accordingly from dams for the irrigation purposes. However the authorities and elected members are not taking necessary measures for the maintenance of canals and the irrigation canals,” he added.

He noted that the moisture content of the paddy grains cultivated in this region are usually higher compared to other parts in Tamil Nadu, due to wind direction and other geographical conditions. Yet none of the procurement centers in the constituency has dryers or even harvesting machines.

Another major concern of the farmers from the constituency is the conversion of agricultural lands, especially paddy fields into construction plots. Mr. Pillai said that stringent laws must be enacted to prevent the paddy fields in construction plots.

Highlighting the non-functional coconut value addition centre in Chenbagaramanputhoor, he said necessary action must be taken for the revival of the centre, adding that an agricultural institution related to agri engineering must be established in the region, citing its capacity and for the benefit of the farming community.

Another major concern from residents of Kanniyakumari is the maintenance of waterbodies, including a Ramsar site, Suchindram-Theroor-Manakkudy Wetland complex. The suchindram tank, Parakkai tank, Theroor tank and other waterbodies that come under the wetland complex are invasively proliferated by water hyacinths, along with instances of illegal lotus cultivation in certain areas.

Although authorities undertake periodic interventions, residents of nearby villages of Suchindram, Parakkai and other areas use the banks of the waterbodies to dump the waste, posing a significant threat to the ecologically important places.

Murugesan, an autorickshaw driver from Erachakulam said, “Majority of small to large waterbodies from Putheri to Thadikkarankonam have been severely affected by encroachments, sewage intrusion and water hyacinths.”

He added that the region known for its water resource and scenic beauty must be preserved for future generations.

Mr. Murugesan further highlighted the high volume of mineral laden lorries in Erachakulam-Thadikkarankonam route leading to multiple fatal accidents in the last few years, adding that movement of heavy trucks in the route must be prevented.

Another most discussed topic, is the inadequate promotion of Kanniyakumari’s tourism potential. In December 2024, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin inaugurated India’s first glass bridge over sea in Kanniyakumari connecting Tiruvalluvar statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Since then, the tourist influx using the ferry service to view the bridge has increased. However, on the next day of inauguration three additional new boats announced by Mr. Stalin, named after leaders Kamaraj, Marshall Nesamani and Tamil scholar G.U. Pope are yet to be deployed at the jetty, leading to long queues on holidays and weekends.

In a conversation with The Hindu Maria Jennifer Clara Michael, a Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) candidate for Kanniyakumari constituency, who is also a resident of the town, said that the region lacks adequate sanitation, parking and other facilities for tourists arriving in Kanniyakumari.

“In Manakkudy estuary a private company is operating a speed boat and other water sport services. Why can’t the Tamil Nadu government promote this scenic estuary in the same way as Poovar or other backwater destinations in Kerala?” she asked.

Published – April 01, 2026 07:52 pm IST