History

Kottayam is a city in the State of Kerala covering an area of 55.40 square kilometers. It is the administrative capital of Kottayam district and is located in south-central Kerala with a population of 138283 according to the 2011. Kottayam Municipality situates in the Kottayam taluk of Kottayam District.

The city is an important trading centre for spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. Also a pioneering centre of modern education in Kerala, Kottayam became India's first city to achieve 100% literacy in 1989 while the district became the first tobacco free district in India on September 28, 2008. The city is also widely known as AksharaNagari (അക്ഷര നഗരി) (City of Alphabets) in honour of its contributions to print media and literature. It is known as the "Land of Letters, Lakes and Latex" on account of the upsurge in literacy, the presence of a vast network of rivers and canals, which empty into the great expanse of the Vembanad lake, and the sizable volume of natural rubber produced here.

Kottayam is a major trading center of natural rubber in India. The Rubber Board, a body set up by the Government of India for the development of the rubber industry, is located at Kottayam. A number of small and medium-sized enterprises in and around the town are engaged in the processing of rubber latex and manufacturing of rubber products. Besides rubber, Kottayam is a trading place of other commercial crops like spices cultivated widely in the surrounding areas. The Plantation Corporation of Kerala has its headquarters at Kottayam.

Kottayam is also known as a business centre. The stretch of Kottayam–Kumily Road (KK road) that passes through the town is a major shopping centre. Sastri Road, one of the broadest roads in Kottayam, is also popular for shopping and has outlets of many national and international product brands. Baker Junction and Kanjikuzhy are also considered as commercial and residential hubs of the town. Tourism is a major contributor to the economy as many tourism related businesses thrive in the town. Kumarakom, a popular tourist destination in Kerala, is located 14 km from the town. Wagamon, another tourist destination is located on the borders of the districts of Kottayam and Idukki.

Kottayam is known for religious tourism. St. Alphonsa, the first woman to be canonized as a saint by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church was born and raised in Kottayam.

Population

Total population : 138283

Literacy Rate       :99.66%

Housing has been a very crucial issue in the municipality since its up gradation to the status of municipality. Rapid growth of industries and urbanization has resulted in the increase in demand for housing in the municipality area. The ULB has been to able to attend to this issue to some extend through the implementation of various schemes. Housing has been a very crucial issue in the municipality since its up gradation to the status of municipality. Rapid growth of industries and urbanization has resulted in the increase in demand for housing in the municipality area. The ULB has been to able to attend to this issue to some extend through the implementation of various schemes. As per 2011 census 14366 households identified. Among this 55374 people were houseless.

IHSDP 96 Houses completed

Janakeeyasoothranam 465 completed

VAMBAY 680 completed

EMS Housing Scheme 58 completed