കുട്ടമ്പുഴ
ഗ്രാമ പഞ്ചായത്ത്

The old Aluva - Munnar Rajapatha is one of the most important in the history and geography of the hill tourism region of Kerala. The main information about this historical route, which laid the foundation for the development of the high range and the growth of the tea industry, is explained in the following three parts.

1. Historical Background and Construction

This Rajapatha was built with the permission of the King of Travancore during the British rule to transport tea and other products grown in the plantation areas of Munnar to the port of Cochin. This route, which was formed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, started from Aluva and extended to Munnar via Perumbavoor, Kothamangalam, Thattekad, Kuttampuzh, Pooyamkutty, Manali and Kunchithanni. Apart from road transport, water transport via boats through the Kuttampuzhayar near Pooyamkutty and the Periyar was also used in connection with this route. The early designs of the monorail system that was later built to transport goods to Mattupetty in Munnar were related to this route.

2. The 1924 flood and the collapse of the road

The great flood of 1099 (the floods that occurred in July-August 1924) that shook the Malayalam coast changed the history of this royal road. Heavy rains and landslides that lasted for several days completely destroyed the roads and bridges in forest areas like Pooyamkutty and Manali. This road, which passed through the forest area adjacent to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, later became so overgrown that it could not be restored to its original state. Following this, the British built the present-day Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway (NH 85) via Kothamangalam, Neryamangalam and Adimali to reach Munnar. With the construction of the bridge built by Rani Sethulakshmi Bhai across the Periyar at Neryamangalam, the old royal road was completely forgotten.

3. Current status and tourism potential

Currently, most of this old royal road is within the dense Periyar Tiger Reserve forest. Although there is now excellent road transport facilities in the sections up to Kothamangalam, Kuttampusha and Pooyamkutty, the old road from Pooyamkutty to Munnar through the forest is completely under the control of the forest department. Traveling through this forest road, which is rich in natural beauty, is extremely dangerous due to the presence of wild animals including elephants. However, it is a very attractive place for history seekers and off-road trekking enthusiasts. There is also a demand from many quarters to develop this old road as an eco-tourism project without harming the environment.