Nagercoil
Nagercoil | ||
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Municipal Corporation City | ||
Clockwise from top:
Precipitation 2,477.7 millimetres (97.55 in) | |
Nagercoil, natively spelt as Nāgarkovil (Tamil:
Nagercoil is a centre for a range of economic activities in the small but densely-populated
'Nagercoil Cloves' is a distinct quality of dried cloves in the spices market, noted for its aroma and medicinal value.
Nagercoil is also the nearest city to the
The city, along with the district of Kanyakumari, stands at the top in many Human Development Index parameters in Tamil Nadu state, including education, per capita income, health indices, etc.[11]
The municipality of Nagercoil was upgraded as a Municipal corporation on the eve of its 100th year as a city on 14 February 2019.[12]
Etymology
Nagercoil derives from the Tamil expression Nagaraja koyil, meaning "temple of Nagas".[13]
Demographics
According to the 2011 census, Nagercoil had a population of 289,916 with a female-male sex ratio of 1.05, well above the national average of 0.929 females/male.[14][15] A total of 20,241 were under the age of six, constituting 10,119 males and 10,122 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 4.19% and 0.17% of the population respectively. The literacy rate of the city was 96.99%.[15] The city had a total of 59,997 households. There were a total of 76,345 workers, comprising 244 cultivators, 1,155 main agricultural laborers, 2,271 in household industries, 67,050 other workers, 5,625 marginal workers, 110 marginal cultivators, 361 marginal agricultural laborers, 447 marginal workers in household industries and 4,707 other marginal workers.[16]
- Tamil 96.78 (96.8%)
- Malayalam 1.51 (1.51%)
- Saurashtra 0.6 (0.60%)
- Telugu 0.55 (0.55%)
- Others 0.57 (0.57%)
Economy
The city is one among the 50 Indian cities to be ranked in the World Startup Index of 1,000 cities.[18]
The major software companies present in Nagercoil are CapeStart Inc.,
The city also has small aerospace manufacturing plants and satellite fabricating firms serving the
Also, the District Industries Centre (DIC) in Konam, Nagercoil operates under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, India (MSME).
The export of 95 tons of fruits and vegetables to the Gulf Countries through the Thiruvananthapuram airports is a major source of revenue for the city, with food processing companies generating a daily revenue of ₹16.7 lakh and an annual revenue of ₹6.1 billion.[26] The flower market of Thovalai exports 350 tons of Flowers to Kerala, Europe and Middle Eastern countries generating an annual revenue of ₹250 crore.[27][28][29] The major cottage industries like Fish-net manufacturing, Rubber industries, Jewellery manufacturing are industries serving the domestic and export markets.
Nagercoil has the highest per capita income of ₹2,76,454 (US$3,800), making it among the richest small cities in India.
Energy

The city has an installed windmill capacity of 1500 MW catering to 20% of the state's renewable electricity needs.
Architecture

The architecture of Nagercoil consists of an eclectic combination of architectural styles, ranging from those that predate the creation of the town, from the early
The 14th century St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Kottar serves as a testimony to the mix of Roman and native architecture. While Saint Xavier was doing missionary work at Kottar and its neighbourhood, he averted an invasion of Padagas and thus protected the people of the Venad kingdom from that attack which was appreciated by the king, Unni Kerala Varma. In recognition of Xavier's services, the king allotted him a piece of land to construct a Catholic church, as a gesture of goodwill, as per the church records. There was already a small church, in the same place where St. Xavier's church stands at present, dedicated to Mary the Mother of God, since AD 1544.
The brilliant artistic influence of Kerala and British architecture marvels are seen in the Nagercoil Palace, Nagercoil Clock Tower, Home Church, Scott Christian College, Scott School, Carmel Higher Secondary School, St. Joseph Convent, Sethu Lakshmi Bai School, Nagercoil Court, The Concordia Seminary, Filter House, The Salvation Army Catherine Booth Hospital and many more heritage structures in and around the town.
The Nagercoil Clock Tower is the most visible to the outside world, situated in the heart of the town, which was built to commemorate the visit of Sri Moolam Thirunal, the ruler of Travancore, in 1893,[36] and was designed by Hogeorf and S. Horesly of England. The Maharajah himself inaugurated it on 15 February of that year. The pendulum of the clock was made in Derbyshire by Smith of Derby Group, London. The clock is attached to a 60-foot-long chain with a weight, operated with pulleys through gravitational force. The clock in the Nagercoil Clock Tower was presented to the Maharajah by Rev. James Duthie. of the London Missionary Society.[37] The total cost for constructing the Nagercoil Clock Tower was ₹ 3,258, 9 Chakrams and 12 Kasu. The Maharajah of Travancore donated ₹ 1017, and the balance was donated by the public.[37]
Politics
Municipal officials
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Law and Order
Kanniyakumari District Police Department
The Kanniyakumari District Police Department
Organizational Structure
Police Personnel Strength
Nagercoil Sub-Division Police Stations
- Kottar Police Station
- Vadasery Police Station
- AralvaimozhyPolice Station
- Bhoothapandy Police Station
- Nesamony Nager Police Station
- Asaripallam Police Station(under the control of Nesamonynager Circle)
- Central Crime Station, Nagercoil
- All Women Police Station (AWPS), Nagercoil,
- Traffic Investigation Police Station
- Traffic Regulation Wing, Nagercoil.
Specialized Wings and Units
In addition to the Police Stations, the following specialized wings and units operate under the control of the
Education
Tamil is the official language in Nagercoil and is spoken by the majority of the population here. In addition to Tamil, English and Malayalam are widely spoken. There are many schools and colleges in Nagercoil that are known for their national reputation and were established more than 150 years ago; colleges such as
Also, there are several private primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) schools in the city that provide learning diversity to the local & surrounding students.
There are various approved higher education and skill development institutions in and around the city, including
There is a Government ITI, Government Polytechnic, University College of Engineering, Nagercoil, and Government Arts And Science College which are all situated in Konam, Nagercoil.
There are two Government Medical Institutes in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari Government Medical College, Acharipallam, and Government Ayurvedic College, Kottar.
The literacy rate is at 96.99%[40] higher than the national average of 74.04%[41] and state average of 80.09%.[42]
Culture
At
Onam is a festival which is widely celebrated among the Malayalam-speaking population by drawing the 'athapoo' on the floor.[45][46]
Cuisine
Below is an overview of the listed dishes:
Nagercoil's culinary offerings reflect its rich cultural heritage and coastal bounty, making it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts.
Transport
Bus transport
There are three main bus stands in the city.[50]
- Nagercoil Municipal Corporation Christopher Bus Stand (Vadasery): The terminus, spread over an area of 9.49 acres, serves as a hub for transportation and commercial activities in the region. It features 52 bus bays, which accommodate a variety of buses including Mofussil buses and long-distance buses. These buses connect Nagercoil with major cities across Tamil Nadu and Kerala, facilitating both local commuting and intercity travel.
In addition to the bus bays, the terminus houses essential facilities such as a reservation counter for ticketing services. It also includes numerous commercial and refreshment outlets, providing amenities to travellers and visitors alike. Overall, the terminus plays a crucial role in Nagercoil's transportation infrastructure, offering convenience and connectivity for passengers travelling within the state and to neighbouring Kerala.
Frequent bus services to
- Anna Bus Stand (Meenakshipuram, Nagercoil): The terminus, spanning 2.31 acres, is a pivotal hub for local bus services within Kanyakumari district and to Tirunelveli district. It features 25 bus bays, facilitating the operation and organization of various bus routes connecting different parts of these districts.
Local buses primarily serve the commuting needs of residents within the Kanyakumari district, offering reliable transportation options for daily travel and commuting purposes. Additionally, buses to Tirunelveli district provide connectivity for inter-district travel, enabling passengers to reach destinations across both districts efficiently.
As a central point for bus operations, the terminus enhances accessibility and convenience for travelers, ensuring smooth connectivity between different areas within Kanyakumari and to the neighbouring Tirunelveli district.
The town bus routes to surrounding localities are to
- Vadasery Omni Bus Stand: Intrastate and Interstate private buses are operated from here.
Rail transport
There are two railway stations in the city
- Nagercoil Town Railway station (NJT): The station lies on Kanyakumari- Trivandrum BG Line. Many important express trains and local trains to Trivandrum halt here. Also, some trains skip the main station due to loco rake reversal halt here.[52]
Air transport
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, which is around 70 km from the city centre. It has two Terminals, Domestic (Terminal 1) and International (Terminal 2).
Notable Personalities
Entertainment and Study Centres
The Nagercoil Corporation Knowledge and study centre, situated in Konam, Nagercoil, was an initiative by the Government of Tamil Nadu, where reference books and study materials are available for students aspiring to take various entrance exams. District Central Library is another library situated in the city.
PVP Multiplex, Sri Karthikai Theatre, Rajesh Cinema Hall, and AVM Valli Theatre are the cinema theaters in the city that serve movie entertainment.
Utility Services
A regional passport office was opened on 18 February 2018 to cater to the needs of the people of Kanyakumari district.
Sports
Nagercoil has the distinction of housing one of the two Sports Authority of India Centers in the state, the other being in Chennai.[53][54] There are plans to make the city hub for sports in South India by merging it with the Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi Centers with headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.[55]
Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) maintains Aringar Anna Outdoor Stadium in Vadasery and SDAT indoor Stadium in Konam, Nagercoil. It also has a swimming pool.[56]
Nagercoil also has various sports clubs that promote various sports activities.
Nagercoil Fencing Club[57] promotes fencing sports in Nagercoil.
Also, there are various Non-govt sports clubs like The District Club, The Nagercoil Club, Ramavarmapuram Club, etc.[58]
References
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