Valiyathura is a suburb of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India. This was once the only port along the
Valiathura is 5 km from the city centre. Privately owned and KSRTC buses ply from East Fort. Autorickshaws can also be hired.
Online Train time of Trivandrum Central Railway Station Click here
Satellite view of Valiyathura Click here
Valiyathura Pier
Valiathura is famous for its pier. The 51-year-old, 703-foot pier and the godowns behind it are a far cry from the past, when up to 50 cargo ships used to call here at a time. Opened in 1956 by the advisor to the Rajapramukh Dr. P.S. Rau, it was the only port along the South Kerala coast.
Supported by 127 concrete piles, the pier had four 3-tonne cranes and one 10-tonner to unload cargo from the ships. Since the pier was located in shallow waters, heavy ships had to anchor in the deep sea and transport their ware in smaller boats. With the development of the Kochi port with facilities for berthing of huge cargo ships, Valiathura lost its significance. It was declared a ‘dead port’ in the early eighties.
All five cranes were dismantled and sold as scrap as disuse and constant exposure to salty winds eroded their structure. The four godowns were rented out to industrial units on the Veli belt. The rails used by trolleys to transport cargo to the godowns have rusted away.
The pier which consumed 571 tonnes of cement and 250 tonnes of steel, cost about Rs.10 lakhs to build. Till today, the fishermen along the coast use the weakened structure to launch their catamarans during the rough monsoon months, when the rough sea makes the beaches inaccessible. They then jump into the sea and swim to the catamarans.
Waves here, very rarely fall below 1 m, and often exceed 4 m during the monsoon period of May to October.
There are many anglers, who occupy strategic points on the pier, holding on to their line, patiently waiting to hook a fish. Avoiding sophisticated angling gear, these people use their hands to hold the line instead of the angling rod. The anglers here are mostly labourers and daily-wage workers.
The hooks range from 18 to 24 on a single line. There are also hooks that do not need any bait on them. But these should be regularly pulled and loosened in the water in order to attract prey. As the water current is towards the shore, the anglers need something to take the line down to the waters. For this, they use iron weights attached to the line, which provides the thrust while the line is thrown into the sea.
`Malavu', a fish that visits the coastline occasionally from inland waters, is another temptation for the anglers. `Para', `Kanava' and `Kozhiyala' are among the other visitors that swim into the trap.
A few years ago, one of the weakened piles on the right head of the 51-year-old pier developed a crack leading to the collapse of a platform measuring about 20 square feet. And in July 8, a portion of the sidewall gave in to the powerful waves lashing the structure and plunged into the sea.
Currently visitors are prohibited to enter Valiathura pier. In 2007, the Harbour Engineering Department announced a project for its reconstruction.
A bypass of National Highway 47 passes 1 km to the east of Valiathura. Nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram Central, around 8 km away.
Shangumugham Beach and Beemapally mosque are tourist attractions nearby.
Restaurants in Valiyathura
Rajila Hotel
Non
Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: 25/
648, Valiyathura - Muttathara Rd,
Sewage Farm,
Valiyathura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
Phone:
099950 72797
Hotel WEST
Address:
Valiyathura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
"SIMONS"
House Of Grill
Address:
Valiyathura - Muttathara Rd,
Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
Al HABIBI
fast food & juice
Address: Opp
Valiyathura Market,
Vallakkadavu,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Ann Tea
Stall
Address:
Unnamed Road,
Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
Banks in Valiyathura
State Bank of India
Address: Port Bazar Building, Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Phone: 0471
250 4799
Union Bank
ATM
Address: Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Hospitals in
Valiyathura
Valiyathura
Coastal Speciality Hospital
Address: Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Phone: 0471
250 2460
PHC
Valiyathura
Address:
Valiyathura - Beemapally - Poonthura Rd,
Beemapally,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
Phone
Number: 0471 2502460
Thanal
Homoeopathic Speciality Clinic
Address:
Opp.St Antony's Public School,
Near
FCI,Beach Road,Valiyathura,
Trivandrum,
Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Phone:
8089902375
Medical Stores in Valiyathura
Karunya Community Pharmacy
Address:
Government Hospital Compound,
Valiyathura
- Beemapally - Poonthura Rd, Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Phone: 0471
250 6222
Joshua's
Medicals
Address: Valiyathura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
Phone:
098958 10956
Gautham
Medicals
Address: Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Phone: 0471
250 3242
Mobile Shops in Valiyathura
Selvan mobiles
Address:
Valiyathura - Beemapally - Poonthura Rd,
Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
Shim
Communication
Address:
Main Rd, Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Phone:
088912 18616
Textiles in Valiyathura
Chellam Textiles
Address:
Main Road, Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Phone:
098471 38336
Rehoboth
Textile
Address:
Cheriyathura Road,
Valiyathura,
Vallakkadavu PO,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Phone:
097446 90857
Bakeries in Valiyathura
S.R. Bakery
Address:
Main Rd, Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Phone: 0471-2502395, 094472 11616
Electric Shops in Valiyathura
Omni Electricals
Address: Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
Phone: 0471 250 8129
Studios in Valiyathura
Mini Studio
Address: Valiyathura - Beemapally -
Poonthura Rd,
Valiyathura, Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Phone: 098956 96858
Vijaya Studio
Address: valliyathura, Jn,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
Phone: 094951 84353
Jubilee HD Studios
Address: Grace Bhavan OLG,
SL Gardens Rd, Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
Auditoriums / Halls in Valiyathura
St. Antony's Church Parish Hall
Address: Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
Assumption
community hall
Address: Valiyathura,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695008
