Kollam, also known by its former name Quilonpronunciation (help·info)(sometimes referred to by its historical name Desinganadu), is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is 71 km (44 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada river. It is the headquarters of the Kollam district. Kollam is the fourth largest city in Kerala and is known for cashew processing and coir manufacturing. It is the southern gateway to the Backwaters of Kerala and is a prominent tourist destination.
Oommen Chandy is an Indian politician and statesman who served as the 10th Chief Minister of Kerala from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2016. He was also Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 2006 to 2011. He represents Puthuppally constituency as MLA in the State Assembly since 1970. He is the longest serving MLA in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and the only Indian Chief Minister to achieve award for public service from United Nations.
Kollam district, is one of 14 districts of the state of Kerala, India. The district has a cross-section of Kerala's natural attributes; it is endowed with a long coastline, a major Laccadive Sea seaport and an inland lake. The district has many water bodies. Kallada River is one among them, and the east side land of river is East Kallada and the west side land is West Kallada.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) is the Indian National Congress-led alliance of centre to centre-right political parties in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the two major political alliances in Kerala, the other being Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front, each of which has been in power alternately since 1980 E. K. Nayanar ministry. Most of the United Democratic Front constituents are members of the Indian National Congress-led United Progressive Alliance at pan-India level.
Kerala, a state in Southern India, has a network of 11 National Highways, 72 State Highways and many district roads.
The United Democratic Front government led by Oommen Chandy sworn in on 18 May 2011. Seven of the total 20 members of the Cabinet took office on 18 May and the rest sworn in on 23 May after completing discussion with member parties of the UDF.
Thrissur Development Authority (TDA) was a statutory body overseeing the development of the City of Thrissur and Thrissur Metropolitan Area in the state of Kerala, India. K Radhakrishnan was the last Chairman of Thrissur Development Authority.
Kollam Port is one of the historic ports situated 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) away from Downtown Kollam ,14 km north of Paravur and 24 km north of Varkala Town It is the second largest port in Kerala by volume of cargo handled and facilities. Located on the south-west coast of India, under the name of Quilon Port it became one of the country's most important trade hubs from the ninth to the seventeenth centuries. Kollam was one of the five Indian ports visited by Ibn Battuta.
Kollam Municipal Corporation (KMC) is an ISO 9001:2015 certified civic body that governs the city of Kollam in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the fourth-largest city corporation by population in the state, and the fifth-largest by area. Constituted in 1903 it was officially recognized as a city corporation in 2000. The body governs an area of 73.03 square kilometres (28.20 sq mi) centered at Kollam, with about 55 divisions and a population of 397,419.
Chinnakada or Chinnakkada is considered as the heart of the city of Kollam in Kerala, India. Chinnakada is a busy junction where 5 city roads and one National highway interconnect at a traffic roundabout. The city's symbolic clock tower is located in Chinnakada. To reduce the traffic congestion in Chinnakada, Kollam Municipal Corporation constructed an underpass near to clock tower. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)'s Kollam sub-regional office is situated at Chinnakada.
Kadappakada or Kadappakkada is a neighbourhood and important junction in the city of Kollam, in the state of Kerala, India. NH 744, that connects Kollam with Tirumangalam meets the Asramam Link Road at Kadappakada junction. Most of the times the authorities are diverting the traffic in National Highways through the Link road, if required.
The Asramam Maidanam or Ashramam Maithanam is an urban park, or maidhanam, in the city of Kollam, in Kerala, India. At 72 acres (29 ha), it is the largest open space within Kerala Municipal Corporation limits. The maidan is considered one of the green lungs of the city and regularly hosts the city's main cultural and sports events. It holds an adventure park children's park, picnic village, British Residency and mangrove forests making it an important tourism spot in the city.
The Asramam Link Road is an important four-lane city road in Kollam in the Indian state of Kerala. This road was formerly known as Airport Road or Aerodrome Road as it was the connection road to Kollam Airport, the one and only airport in the entire Kerala coast then. The road starts from Kappalandimukku near Polayathode in the east and currently ends at KSRTC, but is ultimately planned to extend to Thoppilkadavu in the west of the city. The Rs.114 crore worth third phase of construction includes a 3 km long flyover, which would extend it from Kollam KSRTC Bus Station to Thoppilkadavu, is going on now.
Thamarakulam or Thamarakkulam is a business centre and neighbourhood of Kollam city in Kerala, India. Thamarakulam is a part of Downtown Kollam area and is near Chinnakada.
Pallithottam is a neighbourhood of Kollam city situated at the coastal region. It is the 46th ward in Kollam Municipal Corporation. Pallithottam is totally depending on fishing activities and operations of Kollam Port.
Transport in Kollam includes various modes of road, rail and water transportation in the city and its suburbs. State-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses, private buses, Indian Railways, state-owned Kerala State Water Transport Department boats & ferry, taxis and auto rickshaws are serving the city of Kollam. The city had a strong commercial reputation since the days of the Phoenicians and Romans. Ibn Battuta mentioned Kollam Port as one of the five Indian ports he had seen during the course of his twenty-four year travels.
The Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) was a state-run bus company which started with more than 500 low-floor buses in Kerala. KURTC used to run complete and individual services in Thiruvananthapuram & Ernakulam districts. The remaining 12 districts were divided into 5 clusters ; Cluster I comprises Kozhikode, Wayanad and Malappuram; Cluster II Kottayam, Thodupuzha, and Pathanamthitta; Cluster III Kannur and Kasaragod; Cluster IV Thrissur and Palakkad; and Cluster V Kollam and Alappuzha. COVID gravely affected the profitability and sustenance of this service, the buses got rusted due to non usage and only 97 were functional out of which 70 were then given to City Circular Bus service. As of today KURTC has shut down all operations and the institution is in the process of closing down. Even their official website www.kurtc.in has been closed down thus signaling the end of a golden era of cheap and convenient transport service for customers.
Ayathil is a neighbourhood in Vadakkevila zone of Kollam city, Kerala, India. It is the 36th ward in Kollam Municipal Corporation. It is one of the cashew processing hubs in Kollam city. Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited has a factory there. Kollam Bypass passes through Ayathil.
Valathungal or Valathumgal is a neighbourhood and suburb of Kollam city in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the 30th ward in Kollam Municipal Corporation. Valathungal is a fairly densely populated area of the city. Eravipuram railway station is very close to Valathungal.
Kerala State Housing Board is a Kerala governmental group that provides direction and planning in housing activities. It was established under Act 19 of 1971.
