Vattamkulam
Grama Panchayat

Vattamkulam Grama Panchayat at a Glance

Vattamkulam Grama Panchayat is situated in the Ponnani Taluk of Malappuram district. The Panchayat has an area of 20.84 sq. km. It is bordered by Kalady Grama Panchayat, Thavanur Grama Panchayat, and Anakkara Grama Panchayat on the north; Anakkara Grama Panchayat and Kappur Grama Panchayat on the east; Alamkode Grama Panchayat and Edappal Grama Panchayat on the south; and Edappal Grama Panchayat and Kalady Grama Panchayat on the west. Among these, Palakkad district lies nearby, while Thavanur, Edappal, and Kalady belong to Malappuram district.

Geography and Agriculture

According to its geographical features, Vattamkulam is a midland region. A portion of the Manur forest area located on the boundary of Kalady Grama Panchayat lies within this Panchayat. The major hills in the Panchayat are Chandakunnu, Chittazhikunnu, Poothrakkunnu, Cholakkunnu, Puliyarakkunnu, Kakkuzhikkunnu, and Kalanjadikkunnu. The major soil types are red soil, sandy clay, and hard clay. Laterite stone, Cheenganni rock, and granite are also found here.

The region consists of hills, paddy fields, agricultural lands, and canals, situated at an elevation ranging from 15 to 30 meters above sea level. The major agricultural crops are paddy, coconut, arecanut, and banana. Vegetable cultivation is also common. There are 35 ponds and 23 public wells in the Panchayat. Water scarcity, including shortage of drinking water, is experienced during summer. Although pipelines under the Jal Jeevan Mission have been installed, water supply has not yet started in many areas.

Transportation and Connectivity

The Thrissur–Kuttippuram State Highway passes through Edappal, the major center of the Panchayat. Important PWD roads such as Naduvattom–Thanneerkkode–Koonamoochi and Ponnani–Edappal–Pattambi also pass through the Panchayat. Nearby bus stands are located at Kuttippuram, Ponnani, and Changaramkulam.

The nearby water transport center is the Biyyam Kayal at Ponnani. Beypore Port is the nearest port. The nearest railway station is Kuttippuram Railway Station. Residents mainly depend on Calicut International Airport at Karipur for international travel.

Economy and Commerce

Since Vattamkulam is primarily an agricultural village, there are no major large-scale industries in the Panchayat. “Varsha Tank” is the major medium-scale industrial enterprise functioning here. Petrol pumps operate at Edappal, Naduvattom, Sukapuram, Annakkampad, and Vattamkulam.

There are 13 ration shops functioning under the public distribution system. In addition, one Maveli Store and one Neethi Store are functioning in the Panchayat.

Edappal is the major commercial center of the Panchayat. Emirates Mall, Oppus Mall, and Dubai Mall are the major shopping complexes. Kudumbashree Monthly Market is also functioning here.

Religion, Culture, and Festivals

The Panchayat has 12 temples and 12 mosques located in different areas. Major festivals celebrated here include Kulankara Vela, Makarappath, Makarachovva at Potturkkavu, Shivaratri at Puramundakkad and Thirumaniyoor, Thaipooyam at Kovilingal, and Thalappoli festivals at Manaliyarkavu, Kalyanikkavu, Ekkikkavu, Arekkavu, and Annakkampad. Kodakkattuvela, Paakkottuvela, Thadathilvela, and Chottanikkara Makam Maholsavam at Nellekkad are also important festivals.

During occasions such as Onam, Vishu, and Perunnal, cultural programs are organized by local clubs.

Prominent personalities from the Panchayat include renowned artist Namboodiri, writer P. Surendran, poet P. P. Ramachandran, educationist C. P. Nambishan, scholar C. Koyakkutty Musliyar, and writer P. M. Pallippad.

Important cultural institutions include Ambili Kalasamithi Vattamkulam, Grameena Vayanasala Vattamkulam, and Grameena Vayanasala Kuttippala.

Health Sector

Vattamkulam Family Health Centre functions in the Panchayat along with sub-centers at Thaikkad, Palapra, Nellissery, Puliyarakkunnu, and Kuttippala.

Other health institutions include Edappal Hospital, Sukapuram Hospital, Homoeo Dispensary Palapra, and Ayush PHC. Ambulance services are provided by Edappal Vyapari Vyavasayi Association and Edappal Welfare Association.

In the animal husbandry sector, a Veterinary Hospital and a Sub Centre are functioning in Vattamkulam.

Education

Before the establishment of formal schools in 1920, madrassas, Othupallikkoodams, and traditional occupational education systems existed in the Panchayat.

At present, the following schools function in the Panchayat:

• GHSS Edappal
• GUPS Kuttippala
• GLPS Nellissery
• GLPS Palapra
• AJBS Chekannur
• GVLPS Vattamkulam
• CPNUP School Vattamkulam

Higher education institutions include:

• Applied Science College Edappal
• Malabar Dental College
• Malabar Arts and Science College
• Edappal School of Nursing
• PG Academy Edappal

Technical education institutions include THSS Nellissery, National ITC Naduvattom, and Victory ITI.

Pain and Palliative Care Clinic Edappal is one of the important social service institutions in the Panchayat.

Banking and Financial Institutions

The Panchayat has five nationalized banks including State Bank of India. In the cooperative banking sector, Vattamkulam Co-operative Bank is functioning. Private sector banks such as Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Federal Bank, and HDFC Bank are also functioning here.

Public Institutions and Services

Major auditoriums in the Panchayat are Kulankara Auditorium, Viva Palace Auditorium Naduvattom, and Modern Auditorium Manur.

Post offices under the Central Government function at Vattamkulam, Muthur, and Sukapuram. Telephone exchanges are functioning at Edappal and Nadakkavu.

Other important public institutions include:

• Electricity Board Office at Edappal
• Water Authority Office (Vallathol College Road)
• Krishi Bhavan
• Police Station at Changaramkulam

More than ten courier service institutions operate in the Panchayat.

A total of 284 Kudumbashree units are functioning in the Panchayat.