Political Representation
The current MLA is Adv. G. Steephen of the CPI(M), elected in May 2021, defeating the INC incumbent K. S. Sabarinadhan by about 5,046 votes. Aruvikkara recorded one of the highest voter turnouts in the capital district — 73.27 % in the 2021 election.
Geography & Demographics
Aruvikkara constituency spans roughly 387 km², stretching from riverine plains near the Aruvikkara Dam to the Agasthyamala foothills. The terrain includes hilly hamlets like Vithura, Kuttichal, and Poovachal. The Aruvikkara village alone had a population of approximately 33,909 in 2011, with a literacy rate exceeding 92%, a significant SC/ST proportion, and a workforce largely engaged in agriculture and small-scale trade.
Economic Life & Income Strata
The economy is a hybrid of agricultural hill farming, tourism, small business, and public employment. Rubber, spices, vegetable cultivation, and tourist services around the dam and forest regions are key income sources. Many households receive NRI remittances. A modest number hold government jobs; fishery and blue economy are minimal. Most residents belong to the middle-income group, with BPL pockets in tribal settlements and remote villages, while high-income families are fewer and typically linked to remittances or business ventures.
Unique Features
Kerala’s first geoinformatics panchayat: Aruvikkara implemented detailed geo-mapping of its assets — houses, ponds, utilities — for efficient planning and resource allocation.
Water-resource significance: Home to the historic Aruvikkara reservoir, a critical water source for Thiruvananthapuram. Its catchment includes the Peppara and Neyyar dams, connecting urban water supply to forested hills.
Recent Development Activities
Road upgrades totaling ₹20 crore were inaugurated in October 2024—key routes such as Mailottumoozhi–Chaikkulam, Nettichira–Poovachal, and Vellanad–Mulayar were reinforced for improved rural connectivity.
Desilting of the Aruvikkara reservoir began in May 2025 to restore storage capacity from 43% to full potential. The ₹14 crore project, executed by KIIDC, aims to secure six months’ supply for city residents and mitigate flood risk.
Conclusion
Aruvikkara Assembly Constituency uniquely blends water-shed ecology, rural landscapes, and suburban governance. Its economic fabric is woven from agriculture, public service, small enterprise, and remittances, with a predominantly middle-class profile. Led by G. Steephen and leveraging innovations like geoinformatics mapping and large-scale infrastructure works, the region is shaping into a model for integrated rural-urban development. Platforms such as weone can enhance citizen awareness, especially on water resource projects and local infrastructure planning.
