Maradu

Maradu is a municipality in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is located 9.5 km south of the district collectorate in Thrikkakara and about 175 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Maradu is part of the Kochi metropolitan area and is located 6 km south of the Kochi city centre. As per the 2011 Indian census, Maradu has a population of 44,704 people, and a population density of 3619 /sqkm.

Maradu is an inner suburb of Kochi, located immediately south of Vyttila and connected to Thevara in the west by the Kundanoor bypass. National highways NH 85, NH 966 B and NH 66 passes through Maradu and has played a vital role in the development of the area. Maradu is well connected by waterways as well. Maradu is known for the famous "Maradu Vedikkettu" in Maradu Temple.

History
Maradu was formed in May 1953 as a Grama Panchayath and was upgraded to the level of municipality in November 2010.

Geography
Maradu is built on a collection of islands and islets in the Vembanad Lake, a large lagoon which is the longest lake in India. Maradu is surrounded by waterbodies and is well-connected by waterways.

Demographics
As per the 2011 Indian census, Maradu has a total population of 44,704 and a population density of 3,620 PD/km2. Of this, 49.6% are male and 50.4% are female. 8.01% of the population is under 6 years of age. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constitute 17.28% and 0.40% of the population respectively. The total literacy rate was 97.2% (98.3% for males and 96.04% for females), which is higher than the state average of 94% and the national average of 74.04%.

Religion
According to the 2011 census, Hindus are the plurality with 49% of the population adhering to the religion. Christians form a significant minority, constituting 36% of the population. Muslims constitute 15% of the population.

Festivals
The festival in Maradu is the "Thalappoli Maholsavam", otherwise known as "Maradu Vedikkettu" or "Marattil Kottaram Baghavathy Kshethram." It is usually in February–March.

It is the biggest "Fire Works" in Ernakulam district. This festival is conducted by 2 committees known as "Vadakke Cheruvaram" (North side of the Temple) and "Thekke Cheruvaram" (South side of the Temple).

Another festival is "kavadiattam" in which people will dance with Kavadi on their head during the last festival day of Sree Subramanya Swami temple, festival comes in the month of January - February Festival of Lord Siva in the Temples Ayani Siva Kshethra and Pandavathu Siva Kshethra, and festival in Nettoor Juma Masjid Mosque. Nettoor Shiva temple comes under this municipality.

Also celebrated in Maradu is the Death Anniversary Celebration of The Holy Priest Vakayilachan (Fr. George Vakayil) on 4 November of Every Year. Thousands of Devotees Participated in The "Nerchasadya" and Holy Mass and on that day. 'Achan Punyalan' Fr. George Vakayil was declared as Servant of God on 1 September 2013 at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Moothedam, by Archbishop Francis Kallarakkal.

Developments


Three National highways pass through Maradu (NH 66, NH 85, NH 966 B). Presence of the National Highways and its assimilation into Kochi city brought the area under the radar of investors and is now one of the fastest-growing areas in Kochi. Maradu also houses two 5 star hotels in addition to several other 2 and 3 start hotels. Several other high-rise buildings and malls are also coming up alongside the highway stretch. Capital Forum Mall of Prestige Group is under construction on Kochi Bypass near Kannadikadu.

NH 66(kochi bypass/Panavel kochi Kanyakumari highway),NH 85(Kochi Madurai highway) and NH 966 B (Kundanoor Willingdon highway) intersects at Kundannoor Junction. There is also an underpass in Kundanooor. A new 6 lane flyover has also been opened recently at the busy junction.

Since the current Kochi Bypass carries over twice the traffic it is designed to handle, the National Highways Authority of India had come up with a proposal for a new bypass for Kochi city a few years ago. As per the selected alignment, the Kochi New Bypass will begin from NH 544 at Karayamparambu, north of Kochi's suburb Angamaly, and end at NH 66 at Nettoor region of Maradu.

In addition to this new greenfield National Highway project, the existing NH 85 (Kochi-Dhanushkodi) starting from Kundannoor junction will be widened to a four lane one under Bharatmala. As per the plans the new widened NH will avoid the current NH 85 as far as Puthenkurishu, starting around 1 kilometre south of the existing Kundanoor Junction.

Maradu municipality oversees the development and administration of Maradu region. Maradu municipal office is in Kundanoor on KRL road.

Maradu is also a part of the region which comes under the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA).