Valiyathura













Valiyathura is a suburb of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India. This was once the only port along the South Kerala coast. When Kochi became the prominent port in Kerala, Valiyathura lost its significance as a major port. Now Valiathura is considered as a fishing port.

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