Vypin Island

Vypin
Island
Sunset at LNG Terminal in Vypin
Vypin Location in Kerala, India Show map of Kerala Vypin Vypin (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 10°04′50″N 76°12′35″E / 10.08056°N 76.20972°E / 10.08056; 76.20972
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Ernakulam
City UA	Kochi
Government
• Body	6 Grama Panchayats Pallippuram Kuzhuppilly Edavanakad Nayarambalam Njarakkal Elamkunnapuzha
Area
• Total	63.9 km² (24.7 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	176,567
• Density	2,760/km² (7,160/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Telephone code	0484

Vypin (IPA: [ʋɐi̯pːin], Cochin Portuguese: Isla Santa) is one of the group of islands that form part of the city of Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala. Vypin forms a barrier island which lies between the Arabian Sea in the west and the Kerala backwaters (Cochin backwaters) formed by the various distributaries of Periyar river, in the east. The northernmost end of the island lies on the estuary of the Periyar river in Muziris (Kodungallur), and the southernmost end in the mouth of the Cochin backwaters in Kalamukku near Fort Vypin.

The island is about 27 kilometres (17 mi) long and is connected to mainland Kochi by a series of bridges known as the Goshree bridges, which start at Kalamukku in Vypin, touch other two islands and then finish at Marine Drive covering a total distance of around three km (1.9 mi). Vypin is 58th most densely populated islands in the world. Njarakkal is one of the most densely populated locations within Vypin.

History

Vypin Island, a 27 km long island in Kochi, Kerala, was formed in 1341 following a major flood of the Periyar river, which also altered the course of the region's geography and the ancient Muziris port. For centuries, the island was governed under the Cochin princely state, Vypin was under the control of the Edappally rulers. It eventually came under the Kingdom of Cochin (whose Maharajas later employed the Paliath Achans as hereditary Prime Ministers to administer the area). Until the 16th century, the island was sparsely populated by small indigenous fishing communities. However, because of its strategic coastal location, Vypin was subject to significant European colonization.

Vypeen's history is deeply intertwined with Portuguese influence. The Portuguese arrived in the 16th century, introducing Catholicism and establishing many churches, including the famous Church of Our Lady of Hope. The Pallipuram Fort, also built by the Portuguese, stands as a testament to this period. Recent research indicates that some Anglo-Indians on the island still use an early form of Creole Portuguese influenced by Malayalam, showcasing the lasting legacy of Portuguese colonization.^[1]

The island and its strategic fort were later conquered by the Dutch and eventually came under the control of the Travancore Maharajas.In fact, parts of northern Vypin (such as Pallippuram Fort) were eventually sold to the Kingdom of Travancore in 1789. The northern parts of Vypin were under the Kingdom of Travancore for a period during the late 18th century before being integrated into the greater Kochi/Kerala region.^[2] Today, Vypin remains a vital suburb of the modern city of Kochi.

The Misra Bhojaam (inter-caste dining) was a seismic milestone in the kerala Renaissance organized by social reformar Sahodaran Ayyappan in kerala on May 29,1917 at Cherai.

Development

The northern tip of Vypin is home to the Munambam Fishing Harbour, the largest fishing harbour in Kochi. Puthuvype has become the major industrial hub in Kerala and the fastest growing city suburb due to the SPM project run by Kochi Refineries, an offshore pumping station of Kochi Port, the Puthuvyp LNG Terminal, the IOC Bottling Plant and the proposed Oceanarium.

There are ten lighthouses in Kerala, one of which is situated at Puthuvype Beach and is the tallest in Kerala.

India's first international container trans-shipment terminal (ICTT) in the Special Economic Zone at Vallarpadam Island, designed to handle the largest container ships, was opened by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 11 February 2011.

There are regular boat services from Fort Kochi to Vypin Island. In 2004 a bridge was built by the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) to connect Vypin to the mainland. The Goshree bridges also connect the islands Mulavukad and Vallarpadam.

Vypin is now a fast-developing suburb of Kochi City. Today, all the basic infrastructure of modern living is available in Vypin. Travellers from North Kerala can use the Vypin–Munambam state highway to reach Ernakulam.

Local Governments

Vypn island is part of the Vypin Assembly constituency.It is also one of the seven state legislative assembly constituencies included in Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency.

Vypin islands local self-government is organised into comprising 3 ernakulam district panchayat wards, 2 block panchayats (Vypin block panchayat and Edappally block panchayat(parts of Elamkunnapuzha grama panchayat)) and 6 grama panchayats. This structure functions under the Kerala Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 to plan and implement development programmes, deliver basic services, and promote participatory governance in rural areas.

Gram Panchayats of Vypin

Block Panchayats of Vypin

Vypin block panchayat (14 wards)
Edappally block panchayat (6 wards from Elamkunnapuzha grama panchayat area)

District Panchayats of Vypin

3 wards from ernakulam district panchayat

Cherai
Njarakkal
Vypin

Post Offices of Vypin

Sl no.	Post Office Name	PIN Code
1	Palliport	683515
2	Cherai	683514
3	Ayyampilly	682501
4	Edavanakad	682502
5	Nayarambalam	682509
6	Njarackal	682505
7	Elamkunnapuzha	682503
8	Ochanthuruth	682508
9	Malipuram	682511

Revenue Villages of Vypin

Vypin island is under the kochi taluk. Vypin Island comprises seven official revenue villages. These villages make up the local administration, which is divided into six grama panchayats.^[3]

Pallippuram
Kuzhuppilly
Edavanakkad
Nayarambalam
Njarackal
Elamkunnapuzha
Puthuvype (part of Elamkunnappuzha panchayat)

Other Villages

Locals and tourism guides also break these revenue villages down into smaller, well-known localized settlements.

Cherai (part of Pallippuram panchayat)
Munambam (part of Pallippuram panchayat)
Chakkarakadavu (part of Pallippuram panchayat)
Ayyamppilly (part of Kuzhuppilly panchayat)
Nedungad (part of Nayarambalam panchayat)
Perumpilly (part of Narakkal panchayat)
Malippuram (part of Elamkunnappuzha panchayat)
Valappu (part of Elamkunnappuzha panchayat)
Ochanthuruth (part of Elamkunnappuzha panchayat)
Murikumpadam (part of Elamkunnappuzha panchayat)
Fort Vypin (part of Kochi Municipal Corporation)

Transportation

Road connectivity

The Vypin-Munambam Road, officially designated as Kerala State Highway 63 (SH 63), is a vital 25.5-kilometer coastal corridor in Ernakulam district, Kerala. Stretching from Vypin (Goshree) in the south to Munambam in the north, it links major tourist and residential hubs like Cherai, Pallippuram, Njarakkal and Vypin.

The Maliankara bridge is a vital infrastructure link connecting Maliankara (part of Moothakunnam in the Ernakulam district) to Pallipuram on Vypin Island. This bridge sits near Munambam and connects the Vypin stretch to the mainland. It is well-known for its wide views of the backwaters, fishing boats, and nearby harbors.

Cherai bridge located in the Perumpadanna area, this is a historic crossing that sits on Republic Road, serving as a direct entry and exit point for visitors heading toward the backwaters and Cherai Beach. The bridge was opened to the public on September 29, 1960. It is a busy, two-lane route that accommodates light and heavy vehicular traffic.

The Goshree bridges are a system of three vital road bridges in Kochi, Kerala. Spanning about 3.5 kmand they were inaugurated in 2004. They connect the Ernakulam mainland to the islands of Bolgatty, Vallarpadam and Vypin, replacing traditional ferry systems and directly benefiting it's residents.

Water transport

1. Kochi Water Metro

Vypin features a modern, air-conditioned Kochi Water Metro terminal providing eco-friendly, fast, and traffic-free transit.
High Court - Vypin: Commutes take only about 7-20 minutes, with frequent departures (every 15 minutes during peak hours). Fares are generally around ₹20.

2. Fort Kochi - Vypin Ro-Ro Service

Operated by the Kerala State Water Transport Department, the Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry is crucial for mainland vehicle connectivity.
Vehicles Allowed: Accommodates cars, auto-rickshaws, bikes, and commercial vehicles, sparing commuters a long, 25-kilometer road detour.
Convenience: Services are highly frequent and allow rapid transit between Fort Kochi and Vypin.

3. Traditional Passenger Ferries

Connecting Vypin to various hubs in Ernakulam, traditional State Water Transport (KSWD) passenger boats are the cheapest and most traditional way to travel.
Provides regular, budget-friendly commuting options for locals and tourists across the backwaters