Paramakudi, a gateway town, struggling with infrastructure gaps, untapped potential

The Paramakudi (reserved) constituency which territorially marks the beginning of the Ramanathapuram district on the west of the district also carries the legacy of the Vaigai river, which flows through this gateway toward the Palk Strait.

Despite the strategic advantage of having one of the major river systems in the State, the local economy—defined by its reliance on agriculture and weaving—continues to face limitations in accessing the source’s full potential.

T. K. Dakshinamoorthy, a CPI(M) cadre in Paramakudi, noted that although the Vaigai river flows through the town on its way to the sea, local farmers have gained little from it. He attributed this to the poor maintenance of the various canals and channels intended to distribute the water.

The residents of the constituency who wished that the previous legislators of the constituency to take up the issue seriously were disappointed with all the three previous AIADMK MLAs and the incumbent MLA over not even caring to take up the issue in the Assembly sessions, he stated.

Just like any other places in Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts the poor employment opportunities in the region has been plaguing the potential eligible youths who have been consistently distancing themselves from their native place in search of jobs and better livelihood elsewhere, he observed.

Despite having two textile mills – in Achangulam and Kamuthakudi – administered by State and Union government respectively, not enough employment could be provided to the locals owing to its low production capacity and administrative inefficiencies, which prevent them from scaling up to accommodate the local workforce.

The Union-government operated mill, which has stopped operations recently, could be restarted and taken over by the State government to at least provide jobs to the youths, Mr. Dakshinamoorthy suggested.

Speaking of the infrastructure in the constituency’s town region, M. Ferose Khan, Secretary of Paramakudi Consumer Protection Council, said, the town area which starts and ends within a road could be decongested by moving away the bus stand to the junction connecting the Madurai – Ramanathapuram four way road and the town limit.

“If frequent movement of buses in the town area is avoided, the vehicular movement would be smooth and hassle-free,” he suggested.

As the causeway between SS Kovil and Emaneswaram often gets clogged during annual events associated with the Immanuel Sekaran Memorial, Mr. Khan suggested an alternative flyover or causeway between Jeeva Nagar and Paramakudi Town.

“It will not only provide an alternative route for the public, but it will also make the work easier for the police to regulate traffic during such massive events,” he added.

As Vaigai was the primary water resource for both the residents and farmers, action should be taken to prevent waste dumping into the river and illegal extraction of sand from it, he demanded.

“Though large sand quarrying and extraction activities do not take place, local level extraction in smaller amounts is frequently overlooked by authorities,” he alleged.

In addition, there is need for dedicated places like parks for recreation where the public could spend their time in the evenings and weekends.

Mr. Khan suggested the empty space on the road from Ottapalam to Five Corner Road for the creation of a park. Adding, he said, a food street on the other side could be created to generate income for the municipality and provide a space for the eateries to set up their shops.

Also, in Paramakudi Railway Station, which yields an annual revenue of around ₹10 crore, about 12 major trains passing through the station have no halt. “As the town which has more weavers and farmers, traders and producers transport them either to Ramanathapuram or Manamadurai,” he pointed out.

But adding a stop at Paramakudi Railway Station, everyone could benefit from it, he noted. He also stressed the need for the stoppage of the Madurai-Rameswaram Vande Bharat train.

Rasi N. Bose, president of Paramakudi Traders’ Association and former Paramakudi Town Chairman, explained the need for the Underground Drainage (UGD) in Paramakudi.

“As houses increase every year, the drainage disposal which was not planned properly in the town could be devastating if not addressed immediately, as it risks contaminating the groundwater and triggering widespread outbreaks of waterborne diseases,” he noted.

Published – April 02, 2026 08:27 pm IST