Punalur (Malayalam: പുനലൂര് Punalūr) is a city and a municipality in Kollam district in the southern state of Kerala, India. It is situated 45 km north-east of Kollam and 75 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. Punalur is the head quarters of Pathanapuram taluk. Punalur Railway Station is located on the Kollam-Shencotta railway line. The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram. The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Muvattupuzha Road / SH - 08) and Kollam - Shengottai Road (NH-208) connects the town to other major towns.
[edit]Geography
Punalur has an average elevation of 56 metres (183 feet).[1] The Kallada River passes through Punalur. Various scenic spots on Kallada River[2] attracts many tourists to Punalur but the infrastructure development needs to be addressed. The Punalursuspension bridge crossing the river is the only suspended-deck type in south India. Built in 1877 by Albert Henry across the this huge bridge was suspended by three spans and was used for vehicular movement. Construction took more than six years. It is said that after completion of the bridge people hesitated to walk through the bridge. In order to prove the strength of the bridge the engineer and his family passed under the bridge in a country boat while six elephants were walking through the bridge. Now the bridge is only of archeological interest.[3][4]
Regarding climate, even though located near western ghats, Punalur is the hottest place in Kerala and during summer temperature has recorded even 41 degree celsius.
[edit]Punalur Shencottah Railway Line
Punalur lies 45 km from Kollam on the scenic Kollam-Shencotta railway line across the western ghats, providing a valuable link across the southern states. It is also linked with Kollam by road. The long-pending Shencottah-Punalur gauge conversion under Unigauge work has been sanctioned recently. Currently Kollam-Punalur gauge conversion is going on.Punalur-Schencotta line is still metre gauge.
[edit]Hanging Bridge
The suspension bridge across the Kallada river erected in 1877, is the only one of its kind in south India and it is 400 ft long.
[edit]Economy
Main agricultural products of this township include rubber, black pepper, and other spices. The chief commodities of export here are the hill produces, pineapple, pepper products, plywood and timber. the Punalur Paper Mill Ltd., a paper Industry established in 1888 by a British Nationale was under the control and management of Mr. L.N. Dalmia till 1984. This prestigious organisation was closed due to labour disputes and improper handling of the situation by the mill management and the state government.
Some of the tourist spots near Punalur are Thenmala Ecotourism (21 km) and Palaruvi Water Falls (15 km). Punalur is on the western edge of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. There is a municipal stadium which is only an open ground. Pilgrims from Tamil Nadu going to Ayyappa temple at Pampa halt at Punalur, making it a busy place during festival seasons. Some of the famous nearby places arePathanapuram,Pathanamthitta, Kottarakara, Anchal, Kulathupuzha, Ampalamkunnu and Aryankavu. Other nearby towns are Pathanapuram, Kunnikodu and Edamon.
[edit]Gallery
[edit]Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[5] Punalur had a population of 47,226. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Punalur has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 82%. In Punalur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
- State Bank of Travancore
- Federal Bank
- Canara Bank
- Kollam District Co Operative Bank
- The punalur co-operative Bank
- Union Bank of india
- Dhanalekshmi Bank
- North Malabar Gramin Bank
- Syndicate Bank
- Repco Bank
[edit]Schools
Schools play an active role in producing a bright future for Punalur. The most well known is the Boys Higher Secondary School, N S V vocational higher secondary school valacodu, Government Higher Secondary School Punalur, Sabarigiri Higher Secondary School Tholicode. Other schools include the Chemmanthoor High School (CHS), and Saint Goretti High School. S.N. College conducts many graduation and post-graduation courses for its 2,300 students.
[edit]See also
[edit]References
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