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{{Short description|Coastal village and estuary in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India}}
{{Short description|Coastal village and estuary in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}}
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Coastal village and estuary in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Perumathura is a coastal village in the Chirayinkeezhu Taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. It is situated approximately 29Â km (18Â mi) north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The village is the site of the Muthalapozhi estuary, where the Vamanapuram River and Kadinamkulam Lake merge with the Arabian Sea.[1] The area serves as a major hub for the local fishing industry and is notable for significant maritime infrastructure projects.[2]
Etymology and history
The name “Perumathura” is derived from the words Perumal (referring to the legendary king Cheraman Perumal) and Thura (meaning port or residence).[3] Local tradition suggests that King Cheraman Perumal resided in the village during his voyage to Mecca. Historians tentatively identify the Perumal title with various rulers of the medieval Chera dynasty, though archaeological evidence for this specific residence remains a subject of academic debate.[4]
Geography and hydrography
Perumathura is located on a narrow barrier beach landform, bounded by the Kadinamkulam backwaters to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west.[5] The northern boundary is the Muthalapozhi estuary, which experiences high-energy hydrodynamic interactions. Studies by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) have highlighted the formation of underwater sandbars and complex eddy currents at the river-sea confluence, which significantly impact shoreline changes and maritime navigation.[6]
Infrastructure
Perumathura-Thazhampally Bridge
In 2015, a bridge measuring 259.7 meters in length and 10.5 meters in width was commissioned to connect Perumathura with Thazhampally.[1] Funded by NABARD at a cost of approximately ₹16 crore, the bridge includes a 1.5-meter pedestrian walkway and 120-meter approach roads. It provides a vital coastal link that bypasses the congested National Highway 66, reducing travel time to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College for residents of northern coastal hamlets.[1]
Muthalapozhi Fishing Harbour
The Muthalapozhi harbour supports approximately 415 mechanized fishing boats and provides a livelihood for nearly 20,000 people.[7] In late 2024, the Government of India approved a ₹177-crore modernization project under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). This project includes a 425-meter extension of the southern breakwater, the establishment of a “smart green port,” and the renovation of auction halls and wharves to meet international safety and hygiene standards.[8]
Maritime safety records
The navigation channel at the Muthalapozhi estuary is documented as a high-risk zone for maritime accidents. Between 2015 and 2025, official records from the District Collectorate indicated at least 69 fatalities, while local fishing unions claim the death toll exceeds 100.[2][9] These incidents are primarily attributed to “unscientific” groyne construction and inadequate dredging, which cause waves to break violently within the narrow inlet.[6]
