Panchayats Within the Constituency
The constituency includes eight gram panchayats across two taluks:
In Chirayinkeezhu Taluk: Anchuthengu (Anjuthengu), Azhoor, Chirayinkeezhu, Kadakkavoor, Kizhuvilam, Mudakkal
In Thiruvananthapuram Taluk: Kadinamkulam, Mangalapuram.
Geographic & Demographic Character
Chirayinkeezhu is a blend of coastal and inland terrain. Backwaters, estuaries and canals near Kadinamkulam and Anchuthengu support a blue-economy ecology, while further inland lie fertile agricultural zones and small villages.
The Chirayinkeezhu grama panchayat (area ~43 km²) had a population of ~44,387 in 2011, with literacy at an impressive 96.9 %, exceeding the state average. Panchayat-level data also notes Chirayinkeezhu population ~29,907 with balanced gender ratios and moderate density. The constituency’s SC population hovers around 15 %, aligned with its reserved status. District-level literacy is near 92 %, lending support to a highly educated demographic.
Economy & Livelihoods
Key sources of income include:
Agriculture: Paddy, coconut, wetland rice, and small-scale cultivation in hinterland villages.
Blue economy: Fisheries, inland prawn farming, and coastal fishing, especially around Anchuthengu and Kadinamkulam.
Remittances: Substantial NRI inflows from Gulf-based job-holders contribute heavily to household incomes.
Local trade and small business: Shops, markets, services, and cottage industries — particularly coir-based crafts — play a steady role in rural commerce.
Economic Strata
The majority of households in the region belong to the middle-income strata, buoyed by consistent remittance receipts or sustainable agriculture/fishing incomes. A smaller segment — mostly those with successful NRI members or active business owners — fall under upper-income. Pockets of below-poverty-line (BPL) households persist, usually among subsistence-level fisherfolk or agricultural laborers without access to remittances.
Recent Developments
Though direct references to Chirayinkeezhu-specific projects were limited, broader trends in Thiruvananthapuram district point to strengthening local infrastructure across Assembly constituencies like Chirayinkeezhu. Initiatives include local road renovations, school and market upgrades, water supply system improvements, and coastal protection measures. Under the schemes rolled out in early to mid-2025, panchayats are empowered to propose local road works for expedited implementation.
More generally, the Kerala government has prioritized decentralized planning through local self-governments, giving constituencies like Chirayinkeezhu leverage in executing small-scale infrastructure and welfare programs.
Chirayinkeezhu Assembly constituency is a dynamic mix of coastal communities and fertile hinterlands, characterized by high literacy and a resilient middle-class profile anchored in agriculture, fishing and remittance incomes. While some families benefit from upper-income status, minimal BPL prevalence remains mostly among traditional fisherfolk. With recent emphasis on road connectivity, water access, public amenities and coastal resilience, the constituency is gradually seeing grassroots-level progress towards inclusive development.
