Demography & Economic Overview
As a town with a 2011 population of ~40,400, Kattakada is semi-urban yet rooted in agrarian economy and hill product trading. It remains one of the principal markets for hill produce after Nedumangad, including vegetables, spices, and fruits.
The constituency’s economy is diversified: agriculture, inland aquaculture, small-scale agro-processing, trade, and service-sector employment dominate. NRI remittances and government service jobs also contribute. Though blue economy is not central, fish farming in public ponds under the Jalasamrudhi programme has been promoted through several panchayats.
A land-use board initiative covering 271 hectares aims to convert wasteland into organic farmlands, cultivating crops like mushrooms, plantains, vegetables, and medicinal plants — a zero-budget effort supported by MGNREGS and Kudumbashree workers.
In income profile, the middle-income group forms the majority, supported by farming, government or service jobs, remittances, and small business; BPL households persist in rural sections of Malayinkeezhu, Maranalloor, and Vilappil — surveyed to have 71 households without toilets and 69 homes without electricity as of 2025.
Unique Features of the Constituency
Kattakada is envisioned as a green-industrial corridor. Its Kattal Industrial Development Council (KIDC) guides investment and entrepreneurship opportunities, especially with proposed links to Vizhinjam Port and Outer Ring Road, projected to turn the area into an industrial hub.
A micro-forestry programme, “Vidyavanam,” planted over 1,000 saplings in school campuses across Malayinkeezhu, Maranalloor and Kandala to engage children in environmental restoration efforts.
Recent Development Initiatives
Investor Summit 2023 delivered proposals worth ₹381 crore across sectors such as IT, tourism, green tech, Ayurveda, and food processing — anchored by the KIDC.
Vision Kattakada workshop outlined a multi-year roadmap — projects like Jalsamrudhi (water conservation), Koottu (drug-free initiative), carbon-neutral modelling, waste management legislation, and public education (Kattal Educare).
The Jaivasamridhikoppam programme converts wastelands to organic farms, while Jalasamrudhi inland fish ponds aim for self-sufficiency in local fish production.
Conclusion
Kattakada Assembly Constituency blends agro-hill culture, semi-urban services, and entrepreneurial aspiration. With leadership under I. B. Satheesh and active investor outreach, the region is charting a transformation from a neglected agrarian region to a dynamic model of sustainable development. Its middle-income households engage in farming, trade, employment, and remittances, while development schemes aim to uplift marginal communities. Platforms like weone can further bridge local needs with responsive governance and build public awareness.
