MalissaHoskins at 18:12, 17 January 2026

2026-01-17T18:12:21Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kalamassery
| native_name =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = [[Municipalities of Kerala|Municipality]] In [[Kochi]]<ref>{{Cite web| title=Grama Panchayaths | url=https://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417130137/http://lsgkerala.gov.in:80/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf | archive-date=2018-04-17}}</ref>
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 290
| perrow = 1/2/1
| image_style =
| image1 = Administrative Block , Cusat.jpg
| image3 = Kalamassery Toyota Office.JPG
| image2 = Kalamassery Town Metro station.jpg
| image4 = NUALS, Kochi.jpg
}}
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Clockwise from top: [[CUSAT|Administrative office of CUSAT]], [[Toyota|Toyota office]], [[Kalamassery metro station]], [[National University of Advanced Legal Studies]]
| pushpin_map = India Kerala#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|10.0519694|N|76.3157719|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of million-plus agglomerations in India|City UA]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kochi]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Municipal Council]]
| governing_body = Kalamassery Municipality
| leader_party = [[Indian National Congress|INC]]
| leader_title = Chairperson
| leader_name = [[Jamal Manakkadan]]
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 27
| elevation_m =
| elevation_footnotes =
| population_total = 70776
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Malayalam]] and English
| leader_name2 = TBD
| leader_title2 = Deputy chairperson
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 683 503,683 104
| registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India#KL.E2.80.94Kerala|KL]]-07
| website = {{URL|https://kalamasserymunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in/en}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Kalamassery''' ({{IPA|ml|kɐɭɐmɐʃːeːɾi|}}) is a major industrial region in the city of [[Kochi]] in the state of [[Kerala]], India. It is located around {{convert|9|km|1|abbr=on}} northeast of the city centre.

Kalamassery is a major hub for industrial and [[Information Technology|IT]] activities in Kochi. In local administration it is a [[Municipalities of Kerala|municipality]]. The Kalamassery Industrial Estate set up by the [[Government of Kerala]] is home to many major companies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kalamassery Development Plot Industries Association |url=https://www.kdpia.com/ |access-date= |website=www.kdpia.com}}</ref> Kalamassery is also home to educational institutions such as the [[National University of Advanced Legal Studies]], [[Government Medical College, Ernakulam|Ernakulam Medical College]], and the [[Cochin University of Science and Technology]]. The area's location along the [[National Highway 66 (India)|NH 66]] and proximity to the IT centres in [[Kakkanad]] has enabled it to see a large spurt in economic development since the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kalamasserys-potential-remains-untapped/articleshow/67413257.cms | title=Kalamassery's potential remains untapped | newspaper=The Times of India | date=7 January 2019 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations|align = left
|1991| 54,342
|2001| 63,176
|2011| 71,038
|footnote = Source: <ref>Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner (web), Delimitation Commission of India (web), Rand McNally International Atlas 1994, School of Planning & Architecture (web).</ref>
}}
As of 2001 India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Kalamassery had a population of 63,176. Sex ratio is 956 females per 1000 males. Kalamassery has an average literacy rate of 84%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 87%, and female literacy is 82%. In Kalamassery, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Hinduism is the most professed religion at 41%, followed by Islam (34%).

{{#chart:Religion in Kalamassery.chart}}
'''[[:c:Data:Religion in Kalamassery.tab|Raw data]]'''

==Economy==
[[File:Kalamassery Municipal office.JPG|thumb|right|Kalamassery Municipal office]]
FACT, India's 1st large scale unit was set up in 1943 for production of fertiliser. In 1947, FACT Udyogamandal started production of [[ammonium sulphate]] with an installed capacity of 10,000 MT nitrogen. FACT became a Kerala State Public Sector Enterprise on 15 August 1960 and on 21 November 1962; the Government of India became a major Shareholder. FACT engineering works was established on 13 April 1966. [[Aluminium oxide]] is also produced in Kalamassery.<ref name="KumarNair1992">{{cite book|last1=Kumar|first1=A. Suresh|last2=Nair|first2=E. N. Muraleedharan|last3=Babu|first3=N. R. S.|title=An Information guide to Kerala's industrial scenario 1992: towards industrial thought & action|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tc7sAAAAMAAJ|access-date=23 March 2012|year=1992|publisher=Arya Fine Arts}}</ref> [[Apollo Tyres]] acquired the Premier Tyres plant in Kalamassery.<ref name="Business world">{{cite book|title=Business World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=haRaAAAAYAAJ|access-date=23 March 2012|date=October 1996|publisher=Ananda Bazar Patrika Ltd.|page=151}}</ref> The [[Hindustan Machine Tools]] also known as HMT is also located at the hearts of Kalamassery . Merchem and Carborundum Universal Electro-minerals division has its offices at South Kalamassery. Many Vehicle aftersales - service centres like [[Toyota]], [[Renault]], [[Nissan]], [[Volkswagen]], [[Fiat India Automobiles]] etc., are located at Kalamassery. The [[Kerala State Electricity Board]] or KSEB sub-division is at Kalamassery . The Kochi Metro Casting Yard and Metro Village is located at HMT Colony in Kalamassery . The Science City, Startup Village, [[Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation|KINFRA]] are at Kalamassery. The Water from Periyar is supplied to Kochi City by Various pipes placed which are managed by the PWD and the Kerala Water Authority. India's first telecom incubation center located in kalamassery.

There are also many small-scale industries in Kalamassery, like St. Antony Industries, Micro Tools, Ambadan Industries, Vellappally Manufacturing Industry, Pottekattu Rubbers Pvt. Ltd., Logiwiz, Bajaj, etc. A part of South Kalamassery serves as an industrial area that hosts small-scale industries, including perfume-making and plastic recycling. These industries employ a large number of people. There are also [[Kudumbashree]] associations, employing many women.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kudumbashree.org/?q=bsup|title=Basic Services To The Urban Poor (BSUP)|publisher=Kudumbashree.org|access-date=23 March 2012}}</ref> The main headquarters of [[Vodafone India]] is at South Kalamassery. The largest shopping mall in India<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/news/article1496045.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315005148/http://newindianexpress.com/business/news/article1496045.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 March 2013|title = Biggest shopping mall in India opens in Kochi}}</ref>- [[Lulu International Shopping Mall, Kochi|LuLu International Shopping Mall]], which opened in 2013, is located at Edapally toll, within the Kalamasserry Municipality.

Kalamassery is home to 3 [[Kochi Metro]] stations:

* The [[Kalamassery metro station|Kalamassery Town metro station]] is located at the Premier Junction in Kalamassery, in front of the Apollo Tyres factory.
* The [[Cochin University metro station|CUSAT metro station]], which is located close to [[Cochin University of Science and Technology]] in South Kalamassery.
* The [[Pathadipalam metro station]], located near MILMA, ERCMPU LTD in Koonamthai.

[[File:Administrative_Block_,_Cusat.jpg|thumb|
* Administrative Block, Cusat
]]

{| style="right; margin:0 0 0 0;"
|
{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Areas of Kochi'''
|Northwest = [[North Paravur]] [[Eloor]]
|North = [[Choornikkara]], [[Aluva]]
|Northeast = [[Edathala]]
|West = [[Kadamakkudy]]
|Centre = Kalamassery
|East = [[Pukkattupadi]]
|Southwest = [[Vallarpadam]]
|South = [[Edappally]]
|Southeast = [[Thrikkakara]]
}}
|}

==Etymology==
The name Kalamassery is derived from '''Kalabhasery'''. In [[Malayalam]], a word can have multiple meanings:<ref>{{cite web|title=Multiple meaning for kalabham |url=http://www.maxgyan.com/malayalam/english/meaning-of-%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%B3%E0%B4%AD%E0%B4%82-in-english.html|access-date=2015-09-11}}</ref> in common usage "kalabham" means yellow [[sandalwood]] paste, and in literary Malayalam, it can mean [[Elephant]]. Kalabhasery, a location near HMT, was where elephants from [[Thrikkakara Temple]] was taken for rest after celebrations at the temple. During the course of time Kalabhasery became Kalamassery. Historically, the prominent area was called Njalakam, place with a prominent Juma Masjid,<ref>{{cite web|title=Njalakam Juma Masjid, Kalamassery|url=http://www.islamicfinder.org/phone/getitWorld_phone.php?id=55092|access-date=2015-09-11}}</ref> but during the time of creation of Kalamassery [[Panchayati raj|Panchayat]] which includes Njalakam, it was decided to name the area Kalamassery instead of Njalakam due to the growth of Kalamassery. A primary driver of growth was the nearby Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT) in Udyogamandal. Employees of FACT would regularly visit Kalamassery for shopping and other purposes. Many settled down in Kalamassery after retirement in places like Santhinagar and Santhinagar Annexe. This growth was brought about by new industries like HMT in that area. Later, the rapid growth of Kalamassery led to it being promoted to a Municipality.

==Geography==
The soils consists mainly of recent sediments (Alluvium, Teri's, Brown sand etc.). Red colored sticky soil is also found in these areas. The climate is generally tropical, heavy rains from the southwest and northeast monsoon are common from June through September. The average annual rainfall is about 350 cm.

== Civic administration ==
Kalamassery is a major suburb of the city of [[Kochi]]. It is administered by the Kalamassery Municipality, established on 1990. The municipality is divided into 46 wards, each represented by an elected [[councillor]], who together form the [[Municipal council (India)|municipal council]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2025-12-16 |title=With a comfortable win, UDF has a smooth road ahead in Kalamassery |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/with-a-comfortable-win-udf-has-a-smooth-road-ahead-in-kalamassery/article70403242.ece |access-date=2025-12-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The council is headed by a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson, elected from among its members.<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} Kalamassery Municipality |url=http://kalamasserymunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in/en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250121132130/http://kalamasserymunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in/en |archive-date=2025-01-21 |access-date=2025-12-17 |website=kalamasserymunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2025 Kalamassery Municipal Elections ===
In the [[2025 Kerala local elections|2025 municipal elections]], the [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|UDF]] won 28 seats, followed by the [[Left Democratic Front|LDF]] with 11, [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] with 1, and Independents with 6 seats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Body Elections 2025 - TREND by State Election Commission Kerala |url=https://trend.sec.kerala.gov.in/ |access-date=2025-12-17 |website=trend.sec.kerala.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2025-12-16 |title=With a comfortable win, UDF has a smooth road ahead in Kalamassery |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/with-a-comfortable-win-udf-has-a-smooth-road-ahead-in-kalamassery/article70403242.ece |access-date=2025-12-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Education==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| image1 = RajagiriPublicSchool,Kalamaserry.JPG
| width1 = 220
| alt1 =
| caption1 = Rajagiri Public School
| image2 = SCMS,Kalamaserry.JPG
| width2 = 220
| alt2 =
| caption2 = SCMS School of Management
| image3 = Rajagiri college of social science.jpg
| width3 = 220
| alt3 =
| caption3 = Rajagiri College of Social Science
}}

*[[Co-operative Medical College, Kochi|Government Medical College Ernakulam]]
*[[Model Engineering College]]
*[[Rajagiri College of Social Sciences]]
*[[St. Paul's College, Kalamassery]]
*[[Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship]]
*Government Polytechnic College
*Little Flower Engineering Institute
*Government I.T.I Kalamassery
*Food Craft Institute
*LBS Centre for Science & Technology
*[[Cochin University of Science and Technology]]
*[[National University of Advanced Legal Studies]]

==Places of interest==

===Museum of Kerala History===
Museum of Kerala History is situated near [[Pathadipalam metro station|Pathadippalam Metro Station]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaheritagewalkfestival.com/museum-kerala-history-art-artists-and-history|title=India Heritage Walk Festival}}</ref> It has representations of 87 figures who shaped the history and culture of Kerala in the last two thousand years. The museum has a collection of 150 dolls, all hand-made and detailed, representing the cultural and ethnic diversity of India.<ref name="Dolls"/> The dolls represent young men and women from [[Gujarat]] to [[Nagaland]] and from [[Kashmir]] to [[Kanyakumari]].<ref name="Dolls">{{cite web|url=http://artandkeralahistory.org/dollsmuseum.html|title=Dolls Museum|publisher=Artandkeralahistory.org|access-date=23 March 2012}}</ref> The gallery depicts mainly specimens of Indian contemporary art (painting and sculpture) over a period of the last two hundred years. The gallery also displays a mural painting based on the classical Sanskrit drama ''Shakuntalam'' executed in the traditional Kerala. The mural, at 25 feet long and 5 feet wide, is one of the largest in Kerala.

====Kochi Science City====
The [[Science Park]] is a project of the [[Kerala]] government and is located near the [[Government Medical College, Ernakulam|Government Medical College]], Kalamassery. It houses various attractions for children including an amphitheatre and a planetarium.

==Places of worship==
{{unsourced section|date=October 2025}}
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* St. John of God Roman Catholic Church, Angel Mary Nagar, Kalamassery.
* [[Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple|Thrikkakkara Vamana Moorthy Temple]]
* SNDP Temple, Kangarappady
* Peringazha Sree Durga Bhagavati Temple
* Palakkamughal Juma Masjid
* Korakkambilly Sri Durgabhavathi
* St. Pius Xth Church, Kalamassery
* Ponnakudam Bhagavathy Temple
* Puthuserymala Sri Bhadrakali Temple
* Vidakkuzha Sree Krishna Swami Temple
* Kavungalkavu Durga Temple
* Ilfathul Islam Juma Masjid, Pallilamkara
* Jnanasidhi Ayyappa Temple
* Kudilil Sree Kurumba Bhagavathi Temple
* Puthalath Devi Temple
* Pratheeksha Nagar Masjid
* St. George Orthodox Church, Seaport Airport Road, Kalamassery
* [[Njalakam Juma Masjid, South Kalamassery]]
* Hayathul Islam Masjid, Changampuzha Nagar
* [[Kalamassery Mahaganapathy Temple]]
* [[St. Thomas Marthoma Church Kalamassery]]
* All Saints CSI Church
* St Marys Jacobite Church
* St Jude Knayana Church
* Kavungal Kaavu Shri Durga Bhagavathi Temple Pallilamkara
*Ibrahim Masjid, Mannopilly
*Hidayathul Islam Masjid, Changampuzha Nagar
*St. Joseph's Church Kalamassery (Social Church)
}}

==See also==
*[[Kangarappady]]
*[[Koonamthai]]
*[[Thrikkakkara|Thrikkakara]]

==References==
{{commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Kerala}}
{{Neighbourhoods of Kochi}}
{{Ernakulam district}}

[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Kochi]]

Kalamassery - Revision history

MalissaHoskins at 18:12, 17 January 2026