Thoothukudi is a port City situated in the Gulf of Mannar about 125Kms. North of Cape Comorin. Thoothukudi City was elevated as a Corporation on 05.08.2008. This City Municipal Corporation is spread over an extent of 90.663 sq.kms. and has a population of 3,20,466 as per 2001 census. Thoothukudi Corporation is divided into 60 wards after its expansion in the year 2011 and these wards are comprised in four zones - (i.e) East,West,North & South. East zone has 21-29,38-41,46, and 47 wards, West zone has 15-19, 30-37,42 and 44 wards, North zone has 1-14 and 20 wards and South zone has 43,45 and 48-60 wards.
It is served by three main roads which radiate to Madurai, Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli. It is also the terminal of the broad gauge railway line which connect Thoothukudi with the Southern Railway broad gauge system.
The majority of the people of the city are employed in salt pans, sea-borne trading, fishing, and tourism.
Thoothukudi is known as "Pearl City" due to the pearl fishing carried out in the town. It is a commercial seaport which serves the inland cities of Southern India and is one of the sea gateways of Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the major seaports in India with a history dating back to the 6th century AD.
Thoothukudi has an extensive transport network and is well-connected to other major cities by road, rail and air. The corporation maintains a total length of 428.54 km (266.28 mi). The city has 37.665 km (23.404 mi) concrete roads, 329.041 km (204.457 mi) black topped surface roads, 56.592 km (35.165 mi) water bound macadam roads and 5.242 km (3.257 mi) earthen roads.
The Corporation Main Office is situated 5Kms. East from Thoothukudi District Collector Office on the Palai Road.
