Railways - Kollam is covered by 132 kms. Of railway line, of which 51 kms. are broad guage and 81 kms., metre gauge. There are 22 railway stations of which 9 are on broad gauge line and 13, on the metre gauge line. Kollam is an important railway junction. The Trivandrum-Ernakulam (via Kottayam and Alappuzha) line pas through Kollam. Kollam is the terminal junction of Madras - Egmore - Kollam metre gauge line.

There are 17 large, and one medium scale industries in the district, of which, two are Central Government undertakings i.e., the Indian Rare Earths, Chavara and Parvathi Mills Ltd., Kollam.

Kollam is an important maritime district of the state with a coast line of 37.3 kms. Fishing has a prominent place in the economy of the district. Neendakara and Sakthikulangara villages thrive in fishing. An estimated number of 1,34,973 persons are engaged in fishing and allied activities. Cheriazheekkal, Alappad, Pandarathuruthu, Puthenthura, Neendakara, Thangasseri, Eravipuram and Paravoor are eight among the 26 important fishing villages.

Kollam district ranks first in livestock wealth in the State. Dairy farming is fairly well developed. There are 3.12 lakh milch cattle (1987-88 livestock census). A network of one district veterinary centre, 2 polyclinics, 48 veterinary dispensaries, 14 veterinary hospitals; and 167 artificial insemination centres, cater to the needs of the district. The number of cows increases annually by five per cent.

With two rivers, Kollam is endowed with perennial supply of water. In order to augment the irrigation potential, several plans were evolved during 1953 to undertake river basin schemes. Kallada Irrigation Project, the biggest multipurpose project, undertaken by the State Government, is intended to utilise the water of Kallada river, mainly for irrigation purpose in Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts. There is also a proposal to generate 50 M.W. of electricity from the dam at Thenmala.

Kollam has a prominent place in the field of agriculture. The total extent of land under cultivation is 2,18,267 hectares. The principal crops are paddy, tapioca, coconut, rubber, pepper, banana, mango and cashew. About 70 per cent of the work force is engaged in agriculture.

The Kollam district is divided into :- 1 Corporation - 2 Municipalities - 13 Blocks - 69 Panchayats.

Corporation, Municipalities, Blocks and Panchayats Offices with Phone Nos

Corporation and Municipalities

Kollam Coporation 0474-2746193
Paravoor Municipality 0474-2512340
Punalur Municipality 0475-2222683

Anchal Block 0475 - 2273217,2274217

Kulathupuzha Panchayath 0475- 2317526
Eroor Panchayath 0475- 2273253
Alayamon Panchayath 0475- 2304229
Anchal Panchayath 0475- 2273236
Ariencavu Panchayath 0475-2344533
Edamulakkal Panchayath 0475-2273344

Kunnathur Taluk headquarters is at Sasthamcotta which is an attractive village situated about 19 Km from Kollam Town. It is a beauty spot, a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage.

The extensive fresh water lake here is said to be the biggest of its kind in Kerala. Water supply to Kollam Town is met by purifying the water from this lake.

Busses are frequently operated to Sasthamcotta, which can truly be called as Queen of Lakes.

Jr Telecom Officer (Group Mtce) Off 2830200
Kunnathoor rural housing socity ltd:, Office q-151 Poruvazhy po 2831528

Karunagappally is situated 27 Kms north to Kollam. It is linked with Kollam by rail and road. There is a mini civil station at Karunagappally. Padayanarkulangara, which forms part if the town, was once the military station of the Kayamkulam Rajas.

An idol of Budha, recovered from a local tank here, is now preserved in the Krishnapuram Palace, situated north of Oachira. The town has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, two old mosques and a Mar Thoma Church.

Pathanapuram is situated on the eastern part of the district, it covers an area of 248.32 sq.kms. Live-stock activities like dairying, poultry, goat rearing etc and industrial activities like brick making, bamboo weaving etc are the main occupation. The block is rubber predominant.

Population is 1.57 lakh. Panchayats are Pathanapuram, Pattazhivadakkekkara, Piravanthoor, Thalavoor, Vilakuddy and Pattazhy

Pathanapuram is an important trading center on the banks of the Kallada river. It is only 13 kms away from Punalur.