Thirunelveli – Connectivity
Thirunelveli
has an extensive transport network and is well-connected to other major cities
by road, rail and air. The city is located on NH 7. NH 7A, an extension of NH 7, connects Palayamkottai
with Tuticorin Port. Tirunelveli is also connected by major highways to Kollam, Tiruchendur, Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil, Ambasamudram and Nazareth. Thirunelveli is located at about 3 Kms from Palayamkottai,
162 Kms from Madurai, 50 Kms from Thoothukudi, 160 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram
and 625 Kms from Chennai.
By Road:
The main
bus stand (popularly known as the New Bus Stand), opened in 2003, is located in
Veinthaankulam and there is regular bus service to and from the city. Other bus
stands (for intracity service) are the Junction and Palay bus
stands. The Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation has daily service to a number of cities, and the
corporation operates a computerized reservation centre in the main bus
stand. It also operates local buses serving the city and neighboring
villages. The State
Express Transport Corporation has intercity service to Bangalore, Chennai, Kanyakumari and other cities.
By Train:
Tirunelveli
Junction railway station is one of the oldest railway stations in India.
The line from Tirunelveli to Sengottai was opened in 1903; the connection
to Quilon, which was completed later, was the most important
trade route to Travancore province in British India. The city is connected
to major cities in all four directions: Madurai and Sankarankovil to the north,
Nagercoil to the south, Sengottai and Kollam to the west and Tiruchendur to the east.
Tirunelveli is also connected to major Indian cities with daily service
to Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Salem,
Mumbai, Kanyakumari, Guruvayur, Howrah, Delhi & Trivandrum.
There is passenger service to Madurai, Tiruchendur, Tiruchirappalli and Kollam.
By Air:
The
nearest airport to Tirunelveli is Tuticorin
Airport (TCR) at Vaagaikulam
in Thoothukudi District which offers daily flights to Chennai. Nearest
international airports are located at Madurai
and Thiruvananthapuram.
By Sea:
Nearest
Sea Port is located at Thoothukudi.