Vekkalam - Thalassery, Kannur
Vekkalam is a village situated in the Thalassery taluka of Kannur district, Kerala. It is located approximately 40 km from the tehsil headquarters in Thalassery and around 45 km from the district headquarters in Kannur. Kolayad serves as the Gram Panchayat for Vekkalam village.
As per Census 2011, the village code of Vekkalam is 627265. The village covers a total geographical area of 1630 hectares and falls under the 670650 pincode. Koothuparamba is the nearest town, located about 25 km away.
Vekkalam village is governed under the Panchayati Raj system, with a Sarpanch serving as the elected head. For political representation, the village falls under the Mattannur Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) constituency and the Kannur Lok Sabha (Parliamentary) constituency.
Population of Vekkalam
As per Census 2011, Vekkalam village has a total population of 7,174 people, consisting of 3,473 males and 3,701 females. The village has 1,740 households and a sex ratio of 1,065 females per 1,000 males. There are 711 children in the 0–6 years age group. The village has 5,955 literate and 1,219 illiterate residents. Additionally, 85 people belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and 979 to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Detailed gender-wise population figures for Vekkalam are given below:
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 7,174 | 3,473 | 3,701 |
| Child Population (0–6 yrs) | 711 | 347 | 364 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 85 | 47 | 38 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 979 | 459 | 520 |
| Literate Population | 5,955 | 2,974 | 2,981 |
| Illiterate Population | 1,219 | 499 | 720 |
Nearby Villages of Vekkalam
Vekkalam is surrounded by several neighbouring villages in various directions. The table below lists these nearby villages along with their approximate aerial (straight-line) distances and directions from the village:
| Nearby Village | Direction | Approx. Distance (Aerial) |
|---|---|---|
| Manathana | North | 4.66 km |
| Kanichar | East | 5.91 km |
| Muzhakkunnu | North | 7.82 km |
| Kannavam | West | 8.30 km |
| Vilangad | South-East | 10.53 km |
| Kelakam | East | 11.56 km |
| Sivapuram | West | 11.73 km |
| Keezhur | North-West | 12.45 km |
| Aralam | North-East | 12.93 km |
| Valayam (ct) | South | 13.02 km |
Transport and Connectivity of Vekkalam
Vekkalam is connected by an all-weather road, and public transport is mainly available through bus services. The nearest railway station is Mahe, while the nearest airport is Kannur International Airport, situated at an approximate aerial distance of 15.1 km.
| Connectivity | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bus Service | Yes | Available within village |
| Private Bus Service | Yes | Available within village |
| Railway Station | No | - |
In addition to basic transport facilities, distances and travel times help define overall connectivity. The road distance from Koothuparamba to Vekkalam is about 25 km, with a usual travel time of around 30-60 minutes. Similarly, the road distance from Kannur to Vekkalam is about 45 km, with the usual travel time around ~1.3 hours. Actual travel time may vary depending on road conditions and mode of transport.
Banking and Postal Services in Vekkalam
Banking and postal services are essential for daily financial transactions and communication. The availability of these facilities for Vekkalam village is detailed below:
| Service Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | Yes | Available within village |
| ATM | Yes | Available within village |
| Post Office | Yes | Available within village |
Health Facilities in Vekkalam
Healthcare facilities play an important role in providing basic medical services to the residents. The details regarding the nearest health centres and hospitals serving Vekkalam village are given below:
| Facility Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Health Sub-Centre (HSC) | Yes | Available within village |
| Primary Health Centre (PHC) | No | Available within 5-10 km |
| Community Health Centre (CHC) | No | Available within 5-10 km |
FAQs about Vekkalam
Where is Vekkalam located?
Vekkalam village is located in Thalassery Taluka, Kannur district, Kerala, India.
What is the gram panchayat of Vekkalam?
The Gram Panchayat of Vekkalam is Kolayad.
What is the pincode of Vekkalam?
The pincode of Vekkalam is 670650.
What is the population of Vekkalam?
Vekkalam has a total population of 7,174, including 3,473 males and 3,701 females.
How many households are there in Vekkalam?
There are 1,740 households in Vekkalam.
What is the literacy rate in Vekkalam?
As per Census 2011, the literacy rate of Vekkalam is 83.01%. Male literacy is 85.63% and female literacy is 80.55%.