118-622: Chandiroor is a village in Alappuzha district, Kerala , India. It is situated on National Highway 66 (India) between Eramalloor and Aroor . It is part of the Aroor Assembly constituency and the Alappuzha Parliamentary constituency. Historically, it was located in the Travancore kingdom . Chandiroor is the birthplace of Navajyothy Sree karaunakara Guru founder of Santhigiri Ashram It
236-641: A mayor . For administrative purposes, the city is divided into 74 wards , from which the members of the corporation council are elected for five years. Earlier; Fort Kochi , Mattancherry and Ernakulam were the three Municipalities in Cochin area, which was later merged to form the Cochin Corporation. The corporation has its headquarters in Ernakulam, and zonal offices at Fort Kochi , Mattancherry, Palluruthy , Edappally and Pachalam . The general administration of
354-489: A city with one of the largest Christian populations in India. The majority of the city's residents are Malayalis . However, there are significant ethnic minority communities including Tamils , Gujaratis , Jews , Anglo-Indians , Sikhs and Konkanis Malayalam is the main language of communication and medium of instruction for primary education, although a number of schools do offer English medium education. The higher education
472-607: A closer transcription of its original Malayalam name, Kochi , in 1996. This change in name was challenged by the city municipal corporation, but the court later dismissed the plea. Muziris , a port somewhere north of Kochi (mostly identified with Kodungallur in Thrissur district ), was the centre of Indian spice trade for many centuries, and was known to the Arabs , Yavanas ( Greeks and Romans ) as well as Jews , Syrians, and Chinese since ancient times . Kochi rose to significance as
590-480: A coastline of 48 km. The eastern part of Kochi is mainly known as Ernakulam , while the western part of it after the Venduruthy Bridge is called as Western Kochi. The current metropolitan limits of Kochi include the mainland Ernakulam, Fort Kochi , the suburbs of Edapally , Kalamassery , Aluva and Kakkanad to the northeast; Tripunithura to the southeast; and a group of islands closely scattered in
708-401: A construction and realty boom in the city. Over the years, Kochi has witnessed rapid commercialisation, and has today grown into the commercial hub of Kerala. Kochi is located on the southwest coast of India at 9°58′N 76°13′E / 9.967°N 76.217°E / 9.967; 76.217 , with a corporation limit area of 94.88 km (36.63 sq mi). Over the years,
826-624: A crime rate of 1,897.8 compared to the 424.1 in whole Kerala. However, the city police commissioner defended that in major crimes such as murders and kidnapping, the city registered a low crime rate even behind other cities in the state. Kochi is part of the Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency in Indian Parliament . The current elected Member of Parliament representing the constituency is Hibi Eden of Indian National Congress . The Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency elects seven members to
944-423: A newly opened SEBI office. Availability of electricity, fresh water, long coastline, backwaters, good banking facilities, presence of a major port, container trans-shipment terminal, harbour terminal and an international air terminal are some of the factors which accelerated the industrial growth in the city and its adjoining district. In recent years the city has witnessed heavy investment, thus making it one of
1062-648: A popular tourist destination among both domestic and international travellers. It has been hosting India's first art biennale, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale , since 2012, which attracts international artists and tourists. The Chinese fishing nets , introduced during the 14th century by the Chinese, are a symbol of the city and a popular tourist attraction in themselves. Other landmarks include Mattanchery Palace , Marine Drive , Venduruthy Bridge , Church of Saint Francis and Mattanchery Bridge . The city ranks first in
1180-496: A project to build an industrial park named Electronic City spanning an area of 340 acres (140 ha), to cater to the electronic hardware industries. The private operator NeST is building a Special Economic Zone specifically for electronics hardware spanning an area of 30 acres (12 ha). The Cochin International Airport is in the process of setting up an aerotropolis at Nedumbassery . The air gateway to Kochi
1298-530: A prominent role in the freedom struggle of Travancore . The campaign for the eradication of Untouchability was organized much earlier in this district by T.K. Madhavan , a journalist and in 1925 the approach roads to the temples, especially to the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple , were thrown open to the Hindus of all castes. The district also witnessed the 'Nivarthana' movement which
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#17328877044051416-596: A result, the Kingdom of Tanur ( Vettathunadu ) became one of the earliest Portuguese Colonies in India. The ruler of Tanur also sided with Cochin . Many of the members of the royal family of Cochin in 16th and 17th centuries were selected from Vettom . However, the Tanur forces under the king fought for the Zamorin of Calicut in the Battle of Cochin (1504) . However, the allegiance of
1534-523: A trading centre after the port Muziris around Kodungallur (Cranganore) was destroyed by the massive flooding of Periyar in 1341. The earliest documented references to Kochi occur in books written by Chinese voyager Ma Huan during his visit to Kochi in the 15th century as part of Admiral Zheng He 's treasure fleet. There are also references to Kochi in accounts written by Italian traveller Niccolò Da Conti , who visited Kochi in 1440. The ruler of Perumpadappu (near Ponnani ) fled to Kodungallur in
1652-525: A water metro project. The Kochi Water Metro is the first water metro project in India and the first integrated water transport system of this size in Asia connects 10 islands of Kochi through a network of 15 routes that span 76 km and 38 jetties. Kochi has the highest population density in Kerala with 7139 people per km . As of 2011 , Kochi had a metropolitan area population of 2,117,990. The female-to-male ratio
1770-498: Is 1,028:1,000, significantly higher than the all-India average of 933:1,000. Kochi's literacy rate is 97.5%. The female literacy rate lags that of males by 1.1%, among the lowest such gaps in India. Kochi's major religions are Hinduism , Christianity and Islam . Jainism , Judaism , Sikhism and Buddhism , with smaller followings, are also practised in Kochi. Though 44% practice Hinduism, Christianity's large following (38%) makes Kochi
1888-617: Is a major port city along the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea . It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala . The city is also commonly referred to as Ernakulam . As of 2011, the Kochi Municipal Corporation had a population of 677,381 over an area of 94.88 km , and the larger Kochi urban agglomeration had over 2.1 million inhabitants within an area of 440 km , making it
2006-583: Is a state Highway that starts in Kalarcode , Alappuzha and ends in Perunna , Changanassery . The road is popularly known as AC road (Alappuzha Changanassery) road and it has 24.2 km length. It's an important busy road which connects Alappuzha city with Kottayam district . State Highway 40 (Kerala) is an interstate state highway in Alappuzha district which connects with Alappuzha town to Madurai , Tamil Nadu . It's
2124-747: Is also the Cochin Harbour Terminus providing rail connectivity to the southern segment of the Port of Kochi . The terminus is currently under renovation for the suburban rail networks in the city. The main rail transport system in Kochi is operated by the Southern Railway Zone of Indian Railways , and comes under Thiruvananthapuram Railway division . The South station is one of the busiest railway stations in South India, with more than 128 scheduled train services daily. The North station situated on
2242-813: Is another State Highway that starts in Kayamkulam and ends at Pulimukku junction. The highway is 42.5 km long. State Highway 6 (Kerala) starts in Kayamkulam and ends in Thiruvalla . This highway has 30.8 km length. State Highway 10 (Kerala) is a State Highway that starts in Mavelikkara and ends in Kozhencherry. The highway is 28.7 km long. State Highway 12 (Kerala) that starts in Ambalappuzha and ends in Thiruvalla and has 27.2 km length. Following are
2360-639: Is another major road and connects the Cochin Seaport to the Cochin International Airport . The Infopark Expressway in Kakkanad is connected to the Seaport-Airport Road and stretches all the way to Infopark . Other major roads include Chittoor Road , Banerji Road , Shanmugham Road , Kochi Bypass , Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road , Park Avenue etc. A new ring road is proposed for Kochi city by
2478-472: Is believed to be one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas the Apostle , one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ according to the oral traditions. The picturesque CSI Christ Church in Alappuzha town was built in 1816 by the first CMS ( Church Missionary Society ) missionary to India, Rev. Thomas Norton. It was the first Anglican Church to be established in the erstwhile state of Travancore . It
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#17328877044052596-405: Is best known for its picturesque Kerala Backwaters , by which it is well connected to other parts of Kerala , including the tourist destination of Kumarakom , the district being a well known tourist destination in India. It is also known for its coir factories, as most of Kerala's coir industries are situated in and around the Alappuzha town. The Vembanad lake , which lies below the sea level,
2714-428: Is divided into two revenue divisions which together incorporate six Taluks within them. Alappuzha district is divided into 93 revenue villages for the ease and decentralisation of its revenue administration. They are further incorporated into 6 taluks as eludicated below. List of Collectors of Alappuzha District according to length of tenure in descending order. The longest serving District Collector of Alappuzha
2832-488: Is located at . NH66 is the main connectivity and backwaters also. Sea food processing is the main industry. Shrimp farming, pisciculture and coir products manufacture are also means of livelihood. Alappuzha district, Kerala Alappuzha district ( Malayalam: [ɐːlɐpːuɻɐ] ), is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala . It was formed as Alleppey district on 17 August 1957,
2950-637: Is located in Kochi. Kochi Refineries of (BPCL) at Ambalamugal is the largest state owned refinery in India. Petronet India has now almost completed Kochi LNG Terminal , for importing and storing natural gas, for energy and fueling needs. Central Government establishments like the Coconut Development Board , the Coir Board and the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) have head offices located in
3068-479: Is one of the major contributors of the local economy. Ernakulam district , in which Kochi is situated, ranks first in the total number of domestic tourists visiting Kerala, and thus contributes to the economy of the city. The tourist enclave at Fort Kochi and presence of several historical monuments, museums etc. as well as natural attractions like the Vembanad lake and the backwaters attract large number of tourists to
3186-521: Is recognised as one of the seventeen major industrial cities of India by the World Bank Group. However, in the 2009 rankings of ease to start and operate a business, among the 17 Indian cities selected, Kochi was rated as the second most difficult city to start business and was ranked 16th, above Kolkata. As in most of Kerala, remittances from non-resident Indians (NRI)s is a major source of income. Eloor , situated 13 kilometres (8.1 miles) north of
3304-430: Is the Cochin International Airport (CIAL) located at Nedumbassery , which is about 28 km (17 mi) north of Kochi city, and handles both domestic and international flights. It is the first international airport in India to be built without Central Government funds and is the world's first fully solar energy powered airport. The Cochin airport provides direct connectivity to popular international destinations in
3422-482: Is the first in the world to operate solely on solar energy . Kochi was one of the 28 Indian cities among the emerging 440 global cities that will contribute 50% of the world GDP by 2025, in a 2011 study done by the McKinsey Global Institute. In July 2018, Kochi was ranked the topmost emerging future megacity in India by global professional services firm JLL . Kochi's rich cultural heritage has made it
3540-511: Is the longest lake in the Indian peninsula , and the district of Alappuzha lies between this lake and the Arabian Sea . Kuttanad region of the Alappuzha district, which lies below the sea level, is the point of least elevation in the entire India . Kuttanad , also known as The Rice Bowl of Kerala , has the lowest altitude in India , and is also one of the few places in the world where cultivation takes place below sea level. The district
3658-719: Is under second phase of construction. The terminal acts as a hub for long-distance bus services away from the city centre, and also a converging point for different modes of public transport, namely bus, metro and ferry. Kochi is one of the few cities to be granted the new-generation air-conditioned low-floor and non-air-conditioned semi-low-floor buses under the JNNURM city transport development project. KURTC and private buses operate frequent schedules to neighbouring areas of Nedumbassery , Perumbavoor , Aluva , Muvattupuzha , Kothamangalam , Cherthala and Poochakkal . Taxis and auto rickshaws (called autos ) are available for hire throughout
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3776-582: The Alappuzha Bypass , to route the national highway around city centers between Kommady and Kalarkode , is completed; and the highway was opened on 28 January 2021. Alappuzha is also well connected by road. There is a plan to upgrade State Highway 11 (Kerala) to national highway status which helps to connect Alappuzha to Kodaikanal as part of promoting coastal-hill tourism project. There are eight state highways in Alappuzha district and three of them originates from Alappuzha town. State Highway 11 (Kerala)
3894-779: The Ancient Egypt during the Sangam period in the early centuries of the Common Era . The ancient port town of Barace which is recorded as an important centre of the Indian Ocean trade in the ancient Greco-Roman travelogues such as the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (written around 50 CE) is often identified with the modern-day coastal town of Purakkad on the mouth of the Pamba River in
4012-685: The Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA). Nicknamed the Queen of the Arabian Sea , Kochi was an important spice trading center on the west coast of India from antiquity. The port of Muziris traded with the Romans, Persians, Arabs, and Chinese. From 1503 to 1663, the Portuguese established Fort Kochi ( Fort Emmanuel ), before it was taken over by the Dutch in 1663. The Dutch then ceded
4130-490: The Köppen climate classification , Kochi features a tropical monsoon climate ( Am ). Kochi's proximity to the equator along with its coastal location results in little seasonal temperature variation, with moderate to high levels of humidity. Annual temperatures range between 23 and 31 °C (73 and 88 °F) with the record high being 36.5 °C (97.7 °F), and record low 16.3 °C (61.3 °F). From June to September,
4248-809: The Malabar region to Kochi forcing it to become a tributary of Mysore . The hereditary Prime Ministership of Kochi held by the Paliath Achans ended during this period. Meanwhile, the Dutch, fearing an outbreak of war on the United Provinces , signed the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814 with the United Kingdom, under which Kochi was ceded to the United Kingdom in exchange for the island of Bangka , east of Sumatra . However, there are evidences of English habitation in
4366-627: The Manimala , the Pamba , and the Achankovil ; their branches and tributaries flow through Alappuzha and empty into the Vembanad lake. The most important lake is Vembanad . Alappuzha was the only district in Kerala without public forest land. But that changed in 2013, when 14.5 acres (5.9 ha) of land at Veeyapuram was declared as reserved forest by the Forest and Wildlife Department. Pathiramanal island on
4484-525: The Mappila merchants in Tanur region still stayed under the Zamorin of Calicut. Kochi hosted the grave of Vasco da Gama , the first European explorer to set sail for India, who was buried at St. Francis Church until his remains were returned to Portugal in 1539. The Portuguese rule was followed by that of the Dutch who renamed Fort Immanuel as Fort Stormsburg. In meantime, the Royal Family of Kochi relocated
4602-605: The Ming dynasty of China decided to intervene by granting special status to Kochi and its ruler known as Keyili (可亦里) to the Chinese. Calicut had been the dominant port-city in the region, but Kochi was emerging as its main rival. For the fifth Ming treasure voyage , Admiral Zheng He was instructed to confer a seal upon Keyili of Kochi and enfeoff a mountain in his kingdom as the Zhenguo Zhi Shan (鎮國之山, Mountain Which Protects
4720-537: The Periyar River is handled by Kerala Water Authority with support of Water works department of Kochi Corporation. Electricity is provided by the Kerala State Electricity Board . The GCDA and GIDA are the government agencies initiating and monitoring the development of Greater Cochin area, mainly in developing infrastructure facilities for the city. Kochi is the seat of High Court of Kerala ,
4838-907: The State Water Transport Department and private firms from various boat jetties in the city. The junkar ferry for the transshipment of vehicles and passengers between the islands are operated between Ernakulam and Vypin , and between Vypin and Fort Kochi. However, with the construction of the Goshree bridges (which links Kochi's islands), ferry transport has become less essential. The main boat jetties are Ernakulam Main Boat Jetty near Park Avenue, High Court Jetty in Banerjee Road, Embarkation Jetty in Willingdon Island and Fort Kochi Jetty. In April 2023, Kochi became India's first city to have
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4956-501: The Travancore Kingdom until 1957. when the modern Alappuzha district was formed. Alappuzha district was formed on 17 August 1957 and consisted initially of seven taluks , namely Cherthala , Ambalappuzha , Kuttanad , Chengannur , Karthikappally and Mavelikkara . The name Ᾱlappuzha is a toponym. ‘Ᾱlayam’ means ‘home’ and ‘puzha’, according to Dr. Herman Gundert's dictionary, means ‘watercourse’ or ‘river’. The name refers to
5074-692: The Vembanad Lake . The state government and the GCDA have plans to include Mala and Kodungallur in Thrissur district, Angamaly , Perumbavoor , Piravom and Kolenchery in Ernakulam district, Thalayolaparambu and Vaikom in Kottayam and Cherthala in Alappuzha district within Kochi metropolitan limits. The newly formed metropolis would be put under the charge of a new authority called Kochi Metropolitan Regional Development Authority. However, The Hindu reported that
5192-518: The south-west monsoon brings in heavy rains as Kochi lies on the windward side of the Western Ghats . From October to December, Kochi receives lighter (yet significant) rain from the northeast monsoon, as it lies on the leeward side. Average annual rainfall is 3,014.9 mm (118.70 in), with an annual average of 124 rainy days. The city is governed by the Kochi Corporation , headed by
5310-565: The "kingdom of Kayamkulam " or known by the name "Onattukara"), which was later invaded by the Travancorean forces in the year 1746. It was a branch of the ancient Ay kingdom . It was also known as the Chirava Swaroopam , where the word Chirava derives from the combination of two Malayalam words, Cheru and Aayi , which means "a smaller branch of the Ay kingdom ". It included some parts of
5428-488: The 2011 Indian Census, the Hindu population is 68.64%, Christian (Orthodox, Marthoma, Pentecostal and Latin Catholic are majority) 20.45, and Muslim 10.55. National Highway 66 (India) is one of the longest national highways in India. It connects Panvel to Kanyakumari passes through the city and allow to connect other major cities like Mumbai , Goa , Udupi , Mangalore , Kannur , Kozhikode , Guruvayur , Ernakulam , Kollam , and Trivandrum . The construction of
5546-472: The Alappuzha district. This river is also the third-longest river in Kerala only after to the Periyar river and the Bharathappuzha river. Early members of the Chera dynasty had their home in Kuttanad and were sometimes known as the Kuttuvans . However the regions south of the Pamba River was ruled by the Ay kingdom during the ancient period. Pamba is mentioned as Baris in the ancient Greco-Roman travelogues. There are archaeological evidences of
5664-455: The Country). Zheng He delivered a stone tablet, inscribed with a proclamation composed by the Yongle Emperor himself, to Kochi. As long as Kochi remained under the protection of Ming China, the Zamorin of Calicut was unable to invade Kochi and a military conflict was averted. The cessation of the Ming treasure voyages consequently had negative results for Kochi, as the Zamorin of Calicut would eventually launch an invasion against Kochi. In
5782-529: The Home Ministry of Government of Kerala . An anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation also operates out of the city. CISF maintains 3 squadrons for providing security to various central and state heavy industries, airport and seaport zones. Other major central agencies are NIA , DRI and Indian Customs due to the presence of major port. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Kochi reported significant increase of 193.7 per cent IPC crimes in 2010 compared to 2009, and reported
5900-399: The Middle East, Malaysia , Thailand and Singapore and to most major Indian cities apart from tourist destinations like Lakshadweep . Kochi is also the headquarters of the Air India Express service. With a terminal area of 840,000 sq ft (78,000 m ), and a passenger capacity of 2200 (international and domestic), it is the largest and busiest airport in the state. It is also
6018-416: The Rajah of Cochin who gave a State Dinner in their honour at Ernakulam . By the 1870s, the capital of Kochi Kingdom was relocated again to Kochi Suburb of Tripunithura . In 1910, Ernakulam became the administrative capital of Kochi Kingdom with establishment of Royal Secretariat and State Durbar. The offices of the Diwan and High court were soon moved into Ernakulam. In 1925, Kochi legislative assembly
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#17328877044056136-472: The Vembanad lake of Alappuzha district is famous for rare migrating birds. Alappuzha city is the administrative headquarters of the Alappuzha district. The district is divided into two revenue divisions-Alappuzha and Chengannur. There are 6 municipal towns in the district. They are: There are two Lok Sabha constituencies in Alappuzha: Alappuzha and Mavelikara . There are nine Kerala Legislative Assembly seats in Alappuzha district. The district
6254-450: The area to the United Kingdom. Kochi remained under the control of the Kingdom of Cochin , which became a princely state of the British . Today, Kochi has been described as the financial , commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. Kochi is the only city in the country to have a water metro system , which has been described as the world's largest electric boat metro transportation infrastructure. The Cochin International Airport
6372-429: The best places to go in Asia in 2024. Ancient travellers and tradesmen referred to Kochi, variously alluding to it as Cocym , Cochym , Cochin , and Kochi . The Cochin Jewish community called Cochin Kogin ( Hebrew : קוגין ), which is seen in the seal of the synagogue owned by the community. The Arab merchants called this place Kashi , which is seen in the books such as Tuhfat Ul Mujahideen . The origin of
6490-419: The capital of Kochi Kingdom to Thrissur , leaving nominal authority over Islands of Kochi. In 1664, Fort Kochi Municipality was established by Dutch, making it the first municipality in Indian subcontinent, which got dissolved when Dutch authority got weaker in the 18th century. The remaining part of Kochi were governed by governors of Kochi Kingdom. By 1773, the Mysore ruler Hyder Ali extended his conquest in
6608-419: The central part of the city. It has a wide range of mangrove species and is a nesting ground for a vast variety of migratory birds. Kochi's water needs are entirely dependent on ground water and the two rivers flowing through the district viz., Periyar and Muvattupuzha . Periyar serves the entire northern part of the city whereas Muvattupuzha river under the JnNurm project covers the western part. Under
6726-413: The city has expanded considerably outside the corporation limit set in 1967, although the official city limits haven't been changed. The city straddles the backwaters, encompassing the northern end of a peninsula, several islands and a portion of the mainland. To the west lies the Laccadive Sea , and to the east is the urbanised region in the rest of the mainland area. Much of Kochi lies at sea level, with
6844-491: The city is a major exporter of spices and is home to the International Pepper Exchange , where black pepper is globally traded. The Spices Board of India and World Spice Organisation are headquartered in Kochi. The IT and ITES related industries are growing up in Kochi. Availability of cheap bandwidth through undersea cables and lower operational costs compared to other major cities in India, has been to its advantage. Various technology and industrial campuses including
6962-463: The city is handled by the Personnel Department and the Council Standing committee Section. Other departments include that of town planning , health, engineering, revenue and accounts. The corporation is also responsible for waste disposal and sewage management. The city produces more than 600 tons of waste per day and a large portion of waste is decomposed at Brahmapuram Solid Waste plant into organic manure. The supply of potable water , sourced from
7080-504: The city is reserved for government uses. Snake boat races are the most significant traditional event in Alleppey. These regattas are usually held between August and October, and involve long thin boats powered by up to 120 oarsmen. One such snake boat race is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race . Kochi Kochi ( / ˈ k oʊ tʃ i / , Malayalam: [kotˈt͡ʃi] , ISO : Kōcci ), also known by its former name Cochin ( / ˈ k oʊ tʃ ɪ n / KOH -chin ),
7198-424: The city-centre, is the largest industrial belt in Kerala, with more than 250 factories manufacturing a range of products including chemical and petrochemical products, pesticides , rare earth elements , rubber processing chemicals, fertilisers , zinc and chromium compounds, and leather products. Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT), one of the oldest fertilizers and chemical industry in Kerala
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#17328877044057316-575: The city. Kalamassery which is situated around 16.5 km from the City Center is one of the major Industrial areas. Leading factories like FACT , HMT and IT/Biotechnology park like KINFRA Hi-Tech Park are located here. The Cochin University of Science and Technology is located at Kalamassery. Irimpanam is another major industrial area in Kochi. The Seaport-Airport Road (SPAP Road) passes through this place and oil giants like Indian Oil Corporation , Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum have plants here. Like elsewhere in Kerala, tourism
7434-417: The city. Kochi is served by National Highway 66 , National Highway 544 , National Highway 966A and National Highway 966B . Several state highways also connect Kochi with other parts of Kerala. SH 15, Ettumanoor-Ernakulam Road , connects the city to Kottayam , Pala , Kumily , Changanacherry , Pathanamthitta etc. SH 41, Palarivattom-Thekkady Road , provides a corridor to the eastern parts of
7552-437: The city. Presence of several leading hospitality brands have been a major source of employment for locals. The Kochi Port is one of the leading ports where international cruisers call on regularly. The city has the first marina facility in the country, Kochi Marina which attracts large number of yacht-totters. Real Estate industry is also one industry which is contributing a lot to the economy of Kochi. Many players have entered
7670-410: The day. Development of road infrastructure not keeping pace with the increase in traffic is a major problem faced by Kochi, like most other parts of Kerala. The city has four major railway stations – Ernakulam Junction , Ernakulam Town (locally known as the South and North railway stations respectively), Aluva , and Tripunithura followed by smaller stations, Edapally and Kalamassery. There
7788-411: The development of Alappuzha is worth mentioning. In the 19th century the district attained progress in all spheres. Kayamkulam Kochunni was a heroic outlaw from Kayamkulam who lived during the 19th century CE. The 19th century social reformer Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker hails from the modern-day district of Alappuzha. The first modern factory for the manufacture of Coir mats and mattings
7906-410: The district of Alappuzha had an important position in the classical Malayalam literature . Kuttanad , the rice bowl of Kerala, was well known from the early Sangam period itself. History records that the region which now constitutes the modern-day district of Alappuzha had trade relations with the ancient Greece , the ancient Rome , the ancient Levant , the ancient Arabian peninsula , and
8024-462: The district. SH 63, Vypeen Pallipuram Road and SH 66, Alappuzha – Thoppumpady road are coastal roads that serve the narrow sliver of land between the backwaters and the sea. The main arterial roads of the city are the Mahatma Gandhi Road and Sahodaran Ayyappan Road in Ernakulam, constructed in 1925 & 1962 respectively which runs parallel & perpendicular to the coast and having the proposed Metro Rail connectivity. The Seaport-Airport Road
8142-457: The early medieval period, when the Zamorin of Calicut annexed Ponnani region, after Tirunavaya war. They later moved to Kochi and established the Kingdom of Cochin . When Vasco Da Gama landed at Kozhikode and the Zamorin of Calicut fought against the Portuguese with Kunjali Marakkar , the ruler of Cochin aligned with the Portuguese. On the Malabar coast during the early 15th century, Calicut and Kochi were in an intense rivalry, so
8260-419: The early period of this district, including ancient fossils, stone inscriptions and monuments, in the archeological sites like the excavation sites, the caves, the temples, etc. The literary works of the Sangam period also help to take a look into the ancient period of the district. Alappuzha district was once a prominent centre of Buddhism in South India prior to the arrival of Nambudiri Brahmins into
8378-620: The eastern region of district and that is Chengannur railway station and Mavelikara railway station . The city is accessible by air, rail, road and water. Cochin International Airport , which is 78 kilometres (48 mi) to the North, is the closest airport. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport , 159 kilometres (99 mi) to the South, is the other airport that links the district with other countries. International tourists use this facility to reach Alappuzha. The other nearest airports are at Kozhikode (236 kilometres (147 mi)) and Coimbatore (254 kilometres (158 mi)). A helipad in
8496-420: The erstwhile Travancore-Kochi-Malabar regions. A major portion of the district is from the Kochi kingdom. The city's economic growth gathered momentum after economic reforms in India introduced by the central government in the early 1990s. Since 2000, the service sector has energised the city's economy. The establishment of several industrial parks based on IT and other port based infrastructure triggered
8614-539: The establishment of the state of Kerala, the Kochi Municipal Corporation came into existence. The merger leading to the establishment of the corporation, was between the municipalities of Ernakulam, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi , along with that of the Willingdon Island , four panchayats ( Palluruthy , Vennala , Vyttila and Edappally ), and the small islands of Gundu and Ramanthuruth . The Kochi and Ernakulam districts formed on 1 April 1958 carving areas of
8732-609: The fastest-growing second-tier metro cities in India. Sales tax income generated in the Kochi metropolitan area contributes heavily to state revenue. The district contributes 15.1% of the state GDP. Construction and manufacturing industries combined contributes 37% of the district's total GDP, and trade, tourism and hospitality industries together provides another 20%. Major business sectors include construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding , transportation/shipping, seafood and spices exports, chemical industries, information technology (IT), tourism, health services , and banking. Kochi
8850-725: The first European settlement in India at Kochi in 1500. From 1503 to 1663, Fort Kochi ( Fort Emmanuel ) was ruled by Portugal . This Portuguese period was a harrowing time for the Saint Thomas Christians , Muslim Mappilas , and the Jews , as the Inquisition was active in Portuguese India . The ruler of the Kingdom of Tanur , who was a vassal to the Zamorin of Calicut, sided with the Portuguese, against his overlord at Kozhikode . As
8968-528: The fourth busiest airport in India in terms of international passenger traffic, and seventh busiest overall. Kochi is well connected to neighbouring cities and states via several highways. It is a node in the North-South Corridor of the National Highway system. The road infrastructure in Kochi has not been able to meet the growing traffic demand and hence traffic congestion is a major problem in
9086-661: The government promoted InfoPark , Cochin Special Economic Zone and KINFRA Export Promotion Industrial Park operate in the outskirts of the city. Several new industrial campuses are under construction in the suburbs of the city. SmartCity at Kakkanad is one of the prominent projects. Cyber City at Kalamassery is another integrated IT township SEZ being planned in the private sector. Kochi has an established electronics hardware industry with companies such as V-Guard Industries, OEN India Limited, FCI OEN Connectors and SFO Technologies. The Government of Kerala has announced
9204-527: The highest judicial body in the state of Kerala. The Kochi City Police is headed by a Police Commissioner , an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. The city is divided into five zones and each zone under a circle officer. Apart from regular law & order, the city police comprises the Traffic Police, Narcotics Cell, Riot horse, Armed Reserve Camps, District Crime Records Bureau and a Women's Police station . It operates 19 police stations functioning under
9322-413: The idol of Lord Krishna installed during that time. Chempakassery was ruled by Brahmin monarchs during the medieval period. It is believed that Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri , Kumaran Namboothiri, and Neelakanta Deekshithar were eminent scholars who patronized his court. The southern regions of the modern-day Alappuzha district once formed part of the erstwhile "kingdom of Odanad " (also known as
9440-614: The largest and the most populous metropolitan area in Kerala. Kochi city is also part of the Greater Cochin development region and is classified as a Tier-II city by the Government of India . The civic body that governs the city is the Kochi Municipal Corporation , which was constituted in the year 1967, and the statutory bodies that oversee its development are the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and
9558-572: The late 15th century, the Zamorin occupied Kochi and installed his representative as the king of the port-city. According to many historians, the precursor state to Kingdom of Kochi came into existence in the early 12th century, after the fall of the Chera Kingdom . The reign of the Kingdom was hereditary, and the family that ruled over the region was known as the Perumpadappu Swaroopam in
9676-505: The local vernacular. The port at Kozhikode held superior economic and political position in medieval Kerala coast, while Kannur , Kollam , and Kochi, were commercially important secondary ports, where the traders from various parts of the world would gather. The Portuguese arrived at Kappad Kozhikode in 1498 during the Age of Discovery , thus opening a direct sea route from Europe to India. Portuguese navigator, Pedro Álvares Cabral founded
9794-616: The market and have developed residential properties. Kochi is the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command , the primary training centre of the Indian Navy. The Cochin Shipyard , contributes to the economy of the city. The fishing harbour at Thoppumpady is a minor fishing port in the state and supplies fish to local and export markets. To further tap the potential of the all-season harbour at Kochi, an international cruise terminal
9912-627: The metro system will have 22 stations connecting the suburban towns of Aluva and Pettah while passing through downtown. The first half of the Phase-1 of Kochi Metro was inaugurated on 17 June 2017 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Currently Kochi Metro is operational from Aluva till Maharaja's College along the Kalamassery – Edappally – Kaloor – MG Road stretch, covering a total of 18.4 km with 16 operational metro stations. Kochi ranks among India's major seaports, partly due to being one of
10030-418: The modern-day Taluks of Chengannur , Mavelikara , Karthikappally , and Karunagappally . The northernmost region of the district, which curresponds to the present-day Taluk of Cherthala , was ruled by the "Kingdom of Karappuram" prior to the 1762 treaty that was signed between the kingdom of Travancore and the Kingdom of Cochin . Karappuram was a tributary of the Kingdom of Cochin until 1762 when it
10148-571: The modern-day Taluk of Karthikappally. The southernmost portion of the district had been once part of the erstwhile feudal kingdom of Karunagappally , which had been subordinate to the Chirava Swaroopam ( Kayamkulam ) at times. In the 17th century the Portuguese power declined on the Malabar Coast and the Dutch Malabar gained a predominant position in the principalities of this district. The church located at Kokkamangalam or Kokkothamangalam
10266-523: The name Kochi is thought to be the Malayalam word kochu azhi , meaning 'small lagoon'. Accounts by Italian explorers Nicolo Conti (15th century), and Fra Paoline in the 17th century say that it was called Kochchi , named after the river connecting the backwaters to the sea. After the arrival of the Portuguese, and later the British, the name Cochin stuck as the official appellation. The city reverted to
10384-549: The name of the district being changed to Alappuzha in 1990. Alappuzha is the smallest district of Kerala. Alleppey town, the district headquarters, was renamed Alappuzha in 2012. A town with canals , backwaters , beaches , and lagoons , Alappuzha was described by George Curzon , the British Governor-General of India in the beginning of the 20th century CE, as the " Venice of the Eastern world ." The district
10502-454: The nation of Namibia or the US state of New Mexico . This gives it a ranking of 216th in India (out of a total of 640 ). The district has a population density of 1,504 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,900/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 0.88%. Alappuzha has a sex ratio of 1100 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 95.72%. 53.96% of
10620-468: The network of waterways and backwaters in Alappuzha and its surrounding areas. The district is bounded on the north by Kochi and Kanayannur taluks of Ernakulam district, on the east by Vaikom , Kottayam and Changanassery taluks of Kottayam district and Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry and Adoor taluks of Pathanamthitta district, on the South by Kunnathur and Karunagappally taluks of Kollam district and on
10738-593: The newly reclaimed inner harbour equipped with a long array of steam cranes. In 1947, when India gained independence from the British colonial rule , Cochin was the first princely state to join India willingly. In 1949, Travancore–Cochin state came into being with the merger of Cochin and Travancore . The King of Travancore was the Rajpramukh of the Travancore–Cochin Union from 1949 to 1956. Travancore-Cochin,
10856-516: The northern side of the city, caters mostly to long-distance services that bypass the South station, and also is an additional halt station for many trains. There is also a historic station named as Ernakulam Terminus (station code:ERG) situated behind the High Court . Great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi and The British Viceroy have visited Cochin through this old railway station. Ernakulam Terminus
10974-664: The only interstate state highway in Alappuzha district. State Highway 66 (Kerala) is a state highway which originates from Alappuzha town and terminates at Thoppumpady , Ernakulam . Main Central Road is the arterial State Highway in the Travancore region of Kerala state. It is designated as SH 1 by the Kerala Public Works Department. It passes through Chengannur town of Alappuzha district and helps it to connect with other parts of Kerala . State Highway 5 (Kerala)
11092-471: The population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 9.46% and 0.31% of the population respectively. Malayalam is the predominant language, spoken by 99.00% of the population. There is a small minority of Konkani speakers in urban areas. It has the highest population density among all districts of the state. It is 29.46% urbanized, and is the smallest district in Kerala . In
11210-665: The region even before the signing of the treaty. In 1866, Fort Kochi municipality was reinstalled. Fort Kochi , which was a part of Malabar District until 1956, was made a municipality on 1 November 1866, along with Kannur , Thalassery , Kozhikode , and Palakkad , according to the Madras Act 10 of 1865 (Amendment of the Improvements in Towns act 1850) of the British Indian Empire . Its first Municipal Council seating contest
11328-413: The region. Sri Mulavasam was then a prominent Buddhist pilgrimage centre in the Indian peninsula . Numerous remnants of once flourished Buddhism have been found from the taluks of Ambalappuzha and Mavelikara . The regions included in the district had a prominent position in the medieval Malayalam literary works such as Unnuneeli Sandesam . One among the famous literary works of this period
11446-559: The safest harbours in the Indian Ocean. The port, administered by a statutory autonomous body known as the Cochin Port Trust , offers facilities for bunkering , handling cargo and passenger ships and storage accommodation. The port is a complex of three islands, one of which is man-made. It also operates passenger ships to Colombo and Lakshadweep . Boat services are operated by Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation ,
11564-446: The state Legislative Assembly, one each from Ernakulam , Kalamassery , Kochi , Paravur , Thrikkakara , Thrippunithura and Vypin . Kochi is widely referred to as the financial and commercial capital of Kerala. Federal Bank , the fourth-largest Private-sector bank in India is located in Aluva which is a suburb of Kochi. Being a major online trading centre in the country, Kochi has
11682-516: The state government for which a project study is being currently undertaken by NATPAC. The primary form of public transport within the city is largely dependent on privately owned bus networks. The state-run also operates its services in the city through the Thirukochi service. The major bus terminals in the city are Ernakulam Town, Ernakulam Jetty and the private bus terminal at Kaloor. An integrated transit terminal namely The Mobility Hub at Vytilla
11800-478: The state government is yet to take any concrete steps in this regard. Soil consists of sediments such as alluvium , teris, brown sands, etc. Hydromorphic saline soils are also found in the areas surrounding the backwaters. Predominant rock types found here are Archaean -basic dykes , Charnockites and Gneisses . An ecologically sensitive area, the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is located in
11918-689: The total number of international and domestic tourist arrivals in Kerala. The city was ranked the sixth best tourist destination in India according to a survey conducted by the Nielsen Company on behalf of the Outlook Traveller magazine . In October 2019, Kochi was ranked seventh in Lonely Planet 's list of top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2020. In November 2023, the British Luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller rated Kochi as one of
12036-969: The vehicle registrations in Alappuzha District: Old structure:- Following are the old registration numbers in Alappuzha District:- The presence of a lot of backwaters and canals makes water transport a common means of transport. National Waterway 3 passes through Alappuzha. There is an SWTD boat jetty in the city that lies opposite to the KSRTC bus stand. It is served by boat services to towns like Kottayam , Kollam and Changanassery besides to other small towns and jetties. Alappuzha district has two railway lines. Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal railway line primarily links with Haripad railway station , Alappuzha railway station , Cherthala railway station and Kayamkulam Junction railway station , Whereas Ernakulam - Kottayam - Kayamkulam line connects
12154-409: The west by Laccadive Sea. Present-day Alappuzha district comprises six taluks, namely Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, Karthikappally, Chengannur and Mavelikkara. The area of the district is 1,414 km (546 sq mi). Its headquarters is located at Alappuzha. The present-day town of Alappuzha owes its existence to Raja Kesavadas during the second half of the 18th century CE. However
12272-404: Was K. Balakrishna Kurup and the shortest serving District Collector was Sriram Venkitaraman . K. Balakrishna Kurup served for 1146 days from 2 June 1980 to 23 July 1983, but from July 26, 2022, to August 2, 2022, Sriram Venkitaraman served for only 7 days from 26 July 2022 to 2 August 2022. According to the 2011 census , Alappuzha district has a population of 2,127,789, roughly equal to
12390-602: Was also constructed. Exports and allied activities are also important contributors to the city's economy. The Cochin Port currently handles export and import of container cargo at its terminal at Willingdon Island . The International Container Transshipment Terminal operating out of Vallarpadam , is India's largest transshipment terminal. Cochin Port Trust also planning to build an Outer Harbour near Puthuvype . Kochi's historical reliance on trade continues into modern times, as
12508-655: Was also established in 1859 at Alappuzha. The Alappuzha Town Improvement Committee was set up in 1894. During the Travancorean administration , Cherthala taluk was included in the Northern division ( Kottayam division) while rest of the Taluks which together constitute the modern-day district of Alappuzha was placed under the Central division ( Kollam division) of the British Princely state of Travancore . This district played
12626-634: Was conducted in 1883. In 1896, H.H. Rama Varma XV , The Maharaja of Cochin, initiated local administration by forming town councils in Mattancherry and Ernakulam . In 1907, the Governor of the Madras Presidency, Sir Arthur Lawley and his brother, Beilby Lawley, 3rd Baron Wenlock , Governor of Madras, 1891 to 1896, left for an official tour of Cochin and Travancore , which lasted from 25 January to 14 February. On 26 January, they were met by His Highness
12744-440: Was constituted due to public pressure on the state. Towards the early 20th century, trade at the port had increased substantially, and the need to develop the port was greatly felt. Harbour engineer Robert Bristow was brought to Kochi in 1920 under the direction of Lord Willingdon , then the Governor of Madras . In a span of 21 years, he transformed Kochi as one of the safest harbours in the peninsula, where ships berthed alongside
12862-586: Was constructed during his administrative period. He was known as the "Architect of the Modern Alleppey" and played a key role in making Alappuzha a premier port town of Travancore . During the reign of Balaramavarma Maharaja, Velu Thampi Dalava took keen interest in the development of the town and the port. He brought whole area of the Pathiramanal island into coconut cultivation and it's larger tracts into paddy cultivation. The role of Velu Thampi Dalava in
12980-624: Was during the mid-18th century CE that the Maharaja Marthanda Varma , popularly known as the ‘Architect of the Modern Travancore’, interfered in the political affairs of the smaller feudal principalities who ruled parts of the district. Marthandavarma Maharaja had a remarkable role in the internal progress of the district. The Krishnapuram Palace , which is now a protected monument of the State Archaeology Department,
13098-473: Was forwarded to the government—requesting the formation of a municipal corporation by combining the existing municipalities of Fort Kochi , Mattancherry , and Ernakulam . The government appointed a commission to study the feasibility of the suggested merger. Based on its report, the Kerala Legislative Assembly approved the corporation's formation. On 1 November 1967, exactly eleven years since
13216-559: Was handed over to the kingdom of Travancore . The headquarters of the "Madathingal branch" of the Cochin Royal family was situated at Madathinkara in Karappuram. South of Karappuram lied the "Chempakassery kingdom" which was also known by the name the "Kingdom of Purakkad " prior to the Travancorean conquest of 1746. The kingdom of Chempakassery included the modern-day Taluks of Ambalappuzha and Kuttanad . The monarch of Chempakassery
13334-600: Was home to the Communist -led Punnapra-Vayalar uprising against the Divan of the British Princely state of Travancore in the 1940s. Carved out of the erstwhile Kollam and Kottayam districts, most of the modern-day Alappuzha district was part of the Quilon district of the Travancore Kingdom , with a small portion in the northern Alappuzha were part of the Kottayam district of
13452-466: Was in turn merged with the Malabar district of the Madras State . Finally, the Government of India 's States Reorganisation Act (1956) inaugurated a new state—Kerala—incorporating Travancore-Cochin (excluding the four southern Taluks which were merged with Tamil Nadu ), Malabar District, and the taluk of Kasargod , South Kanara . On 9 July 1960 the Mattancherry council passed a resolution—which
13570-586: Was known by the title "Chempakassery Deva Narayanan". Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri and Kunchan Nambiar , who originally hailed from the South Malabar region, were court poets of the Chempakassery kingdom at times. Karthikappally was a small feudal kingdom that lied between the feudal kingdoms of Odanad and Chempakassery until the Travancorean invasion of the mid-18th century CE, which curresponds to
13688-458: Was started as a protest against the constitutional repression in 1932. The first political strike in Kerala was held at Alappuzha in 1938. The district was home to the Communist -led Punnapra-Vayalar uprising against the Divan of the British Princely state of Travancore in the 1940s. Alappuzha is on a peninsular landmass between the Arabian Sea and the Vembanad lake. Major rivers are
13806-467: Was the Ascharya Choodamani , a Sanskrit drama written by Sakthibhadra who was a scholar from Chengannur . The feudal monarch of Chempakasseri was at its zenith during the reign of Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan, a great scholar and a poet who was also the author of the literary work Vedantha Ratnamala . It is said that Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple , at Ambalappuzha , was constructed and
13924-435: Was the first station to serve the city but had to be abandoned in the early 1960s. Now this station operates as a goods depot of Southern Railway. The Kochi Metro is a metro rapid transit system serving the city of Kochi, intended to considerably ease traffic congestion in the city and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is being set up at an overall estimated cost of ₹ 5,146 crore (US$ 620 million). The Phase-1 of
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