Enayam Port

Tamil Research Institute
RAPID TECHNO-ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF COLACHEL PORT AT TAMILNADU
FINAL REPORT
In Kanyakumari district, only 35 RPS (Rubber Producers Societies ) are functioning and nearly 25 RPS have been
forced to close down due to rigid formalities. Some relaxation is needed to reap the fruits of organizational
structure in rubber plantation which is dominated by small holdings.
These weaknesses can be either removed or reduced to some extent by active participation of Rubber Board
officials through the networking of Rubber Producers Societies and with the willing co-operation of the growers
However infrastructure development is the positive factor for the development of rubber plantation in the district.
The measures for infrastructure development relating to rubber plantations are irrigation, road, railways, ports,
airports and electricity. Irrigation is the artificial application of water to soil for the purpose of crop production.
The district is irrigated by dams, canals, tanks and wells. Power is indispensable to make any industrial sector
powerful. The setting up of new industries would provide faster economic growth in Kanyakumari district.
The already underdeveloped industrial sector in the district would get a boost by setting up new rubber based
industrial units. It would remove the regional imbalance in industrial development to some extent. More industries
could provide more revenue to the district. By developing the rubber based industrial sector, remunerative and
secured market for NR could be assured. Export oriented industries would provide foreign exchange earnings to
the country. By import substitution, drainage of foreign exchange could be prevented. The progress of rubberbased
industries would ultimately lead to extensive rubber cultivation and increase in productivity of NR.
• Cashewnut industry
Cashewnut processing is predominantly an export oriented seasonal industry. The industry came into prominence
only during the fifties and the number of cashewnut factories has since then been on the increase. The National
Nut Company at Palugal, the Vijayalakshmi Cashewnut Industries and the Raju Vilas Roasting Plant both located
at Palavilai are the main units in the district, while the rest are only small units, Put together,
thereare196cashewunits. Women are mainly employed in shelling the roasted nuts and peeling the machine
dried kernels.
• Handicrafts
Indian handicrafts known for its proud tradition are appreciated for their aesthetic and as well as their utilitarian
values as a result they prove to be the most valued export commodities^ in our country and as well as abroad.
The main crafts in the district are wood carving, stone carving, metal works, lace and embroidery, temple
jewellery, kora grass mat, laminated wood, musical instruments and fibre craft.
Fibre craft is one of the popular handicrafts of the District. Availability of raw material (i.e.) banana sheath in
plenty and deft hands to turn out lovely articles go hand in hand to create a ready market everywhere in the
State especially at the tourist centre of Kanniyakumari. Because of its corisiderable potential to generate
employment among women, the Centre and the State Governments have come up with schemes to popularise
this craft, which are wide, ranging such as bags, tea coasters, table mats, door mats, fancy dolls, flower pots
and flower pot hangers. Even the fibre dusts do not go a waste but they are dyed and used for painting.
Kanniyakumari district accounts for the largest manufacture of fibre articles in the country. Puviyur. Nagercoil,
Tiruvarambu, Chungankadai, Manalikarai. Aramboly, Kollel. Pacodu. Idaikodu. Arumanai and Kattathurai are
some of the important centres. The Fine Fibre Workers Cooperative Cottage Industrial Society which has
membership of 300 women has been set up with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu Khadi and Village Industries
Board. The members are imparted intensive training for three months in fibre craft.
• Wood Carving
This is very popular in the district which is evident from the fact that even today one can see the workmanship in
the temple doors and the furniture in the Padmanabhapuram palace and the like. However, lack of
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