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Maradu | |
|---|---|
 From top to bottom: 1.The Thevara Canal 2.Crowne Plaza, Maradu | |
  Maradu Location in Kerala, India Show map of Kerala Maradu Maradu (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates:9°53′N76°23′E / 9.89°N 76.38°E /9.89; 76.38 | |
| Country | India |
| City | Kochi |
| District | Ernakulam |
| State | Kerala |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.35 km2 (4.77 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 44,704 |
| • Density | 3,620/km2 (9,400/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam,English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 682304 |
| Telephone code | 484 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-39 |
Maradu (Malayalam pronunciation:[mɐɾɐɖɨ̆]) is amunicipality andcensus town[2] in theErnakulam district ofKerala,India. Maradu is aninner suburb of theKochi metropolitan area and is located 6 km (3.7 mi) south of theKochi city centre. As per the2011 Indian census, Maradu has a population of 44,704 people.
On 8 May 2019, the Supreme Court of Indiaordered five apartments in Maradu to be demolished within one month, for violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules, although only four of these apartments had yet been constructed. The incident received widespread media attention, and generated controversy across Kerala for the alleged corruption in the local government sector.[3][4]The 2nd tallest building of Kerala, Choice Paradise is also located here.
Maradu was formed in May 1953 as aGrama Panchayath and was upgraded to the level ofmunicipality in November 2010.
Maradu is built on various low-lying river islands at the mouth of theVembanad Lake[5]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 34,995 | — |
| 2001 | 41,012 | +17.2% |
| 2011 | 44,704 | +9.0% |
| Source:[6] | ||
As per the2011 Indian census, Maradu has a total population of 44,704 and a population density of 3,620 inhabitants per square kilometre (9,400/sq mi). 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%.
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.[8]
Maradu News is an news network which provides news updates in Maradu and the surrounding areas.[9]The organisation shows news related to politics, local events, crime, and obituaries.
The annualThalappoli festival, also known as theMaradu Vedikkettu, is held in theMaradu Kottaram Bhagavathy Temple every year, in the month ofKumbham in theMalayalam calendar. Though the festival lasts for 8–9 days, it is famous for its large fireworks displays in the last 2 days.[10] However, in 2024, theKerala High Court denied permission for the fireworks displays, citing safety concerns and lack of proper licensing.[11][12]
TheMaradu Subramanya Swami Temple holds an annual festival in the month ofMakaram in theMalayalam calendar duringThaipooyam. The festival is also famous for itsKavadi Aattam in honour of the deityMurugan.[13]
The death anniversary ofFr. George Vakayil (also known as Vakayilachan) is observed every year on 4 November in theSt. Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church, Maradu by thousands of devotees.[14] In 2013, he was declared aServant of God by theArchbishop of Verapoly in the church.[15]
Three National highways pass through Maradu (NH 66,NH 85,NH 966 B). Presence of theNational Highways and its assimilation intoKochi 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 ofPrestige 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 atKundannoor Junction. There is also an underpass in Kundanooor. A new 6 lane flyover has also been opened recently at the busy junction.
Since the currentKochi Bypass carries over twice the traffic it is designed to handle, theNational 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 suburbAngamaly, and end at NH 66 atNettoor region of Maradu.
In addition to this new greenfield National Highway project, the existing NH 85 (Kochi-Dhanushkodi) starting fromKundannoor junction will be widened to a four lane one underBharatmala. As per the plans the new widened NH will avoid the current NH 85 as far asPuthenkurishu, starting around 1 kilometre south of the existing Kundanoor Junction.[16]
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 theGreater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA).