Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) district was carved out of Tirunelveli district on 20 October 1986.
On 20 October 1986 a new district was formed from the eastern part of Tirunelveli district, with the port town of Thoothukudi as headquarters. Thoothukudi had a major port and thermal power station by then. The district was named after V. O. Chidambaranar, the freedom fighter from nearby Ottapidaram. It includes the salt pans and coastal towns of the Gulf of Mannar coast.
V. O. Chidambaram Pillai founds the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company
To compete with British lines on the Tuticorin-Colombo route, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai registered an Indian-owned shipping firm.
Death of V. O. Chidambaram Pillai
Nationalist pioneer V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, who had started the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, died in Thoothukudi.
The new all-weather harbour at Tuticorin began operations as a major port, now known as V. O. Chidambaranar Port.
First unit of Tuticorin Thermal Power Station commissioned
The first unit of the coal-fired Tuticorin Thermal Power Station was commissioned, with further units added through 1992.
Ramanathapuram district split into three
Ramanathapuram district was trifurcated into Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar districts.
Dindigul district re-established from Madurai
Dindigul district was carved out of Madurai district in September 1985.
