Soon, visitors may not able to go to Arichalmunai in own vehicles

The last motorable point in southern India with close proximity to Sri Lanka at Arichalmunai may soon be restricted for own vehicle users due to the traffic congestion being reported in the narrow stretch on National Highway 87.

The last motorable point in southern India with close proximity to Sri Lanka at Arichalmunai may soon be restricted for own vehicle users due to the traffic congestion being reported in the narrow stretch on National Highway 87.

Talaimannar in Sri Lanka is only a hop, skip, and a jump from Arichalmunai beyond the International Maritime Boundary Line.

Authorities are planning to set up a ‘transit plaza’ at Dhanushkodi in Ramanathapuram district, where parking facilities would be provided and visitors and tourists to Arichalmunai would be taken onboard buses. Earlier this month, the district administration obtained necessary permission from the Commissioner of Land Administration.

The parking facilities in Dhanushkodi, which is about five km from Arichalmunai, might accommodate about 150 buses, over 400 cars and 200 two-wheelers. Arichalmunai is among the prominent tourist spots in southern India.

Though Kanniyakumari is said to be southern most tip of the Indian peninsula, Arichalmunai is the last point in the Indian peninsula close to neighbouring Sri Lanka.

Tourists on vehicles from the mainland cross the Indira Gandhi road bridge between Mandapam and Pamban, pass through Akkamadam and Thangachimadam hamlets and Peikarumbu (where the memorial of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is located) to reach Rameswaram. Arichalmunai is about 20 km east of Rameswaram.