20 LAKH TOURISTS VISITED KANYAKUMARI VIVEKANDA MEMORIAL IN 2011

20 LAKH TOURISTS VISITED KANYAKUMARI  VIVEKANDA MEMORIAL IN 2011

: As many as 20 lakh tourists visited the Vivekananda rock memorial and Thiruvalluvar statute at Kanyakumari  in 2011,said the Manager of Poomphuhar Shipping Corporation,S.Swarnapandian. According to him, the Vivekananda rock memorial was constructed in 1969 at Kanyakumari and Poompuhar Shipping Corporation had been operating ferry service for the benefit of both the foreign and domestic tourists. At that time two boats — Tamiraparani and Bhagirathi — were operated. Meanwhile, the 133-feet Thiruvalluvar statute was constructed on another huge rock at Kanyakumari in 2000. But during 2004 tsunami, the boat – Tamiraparani capsized in the giant waves which hit the coastal areas of the district.

After that two more ferry boats, Poigai and Guhan were purchased, which were being operated now along with Bhagirathi. Every year, lakhs of tourists visit Vivekananda rock memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue.He also said that as the Bhagirathi ferry boat was old, a new luxurious boat was being built at Mumbai at a cost of Rs.1 crore. The work on the new boat was in the final stage and it would be operated by the end of this month, the official said.

                                                                  Prof. John Kurakar