Edathala: History of a Panchayat East of Aluva

Ashraf Gents Hostel

Key facts

Edathala grama panchayat covers 34.99 km² and had a population of 77,811 in the 2011 census, according to Wikipedia.
Edathala lies in Aluva taluk, which Wikipedia says was formed in 1956 from parts of Mukundapuram, Kanayannur, Kunnathunad and North Paravur taluks.
The panchayat’s official list of past presidents begins with K. C. Ahammed, who served from 1969 to 1979.
The Naval Armament Depot, Aluva, which gives NAD Road its name, was inaugurated on 19 September 1958, according to the Indian Navy.
Wikipedia lists Nochima, Manalimukku, Kuzhivelippady, Pukkattupady, Chunangamvely and Kunjattukara among Edathala’s localities.

Exterior of the Ashraf Gents Hostel building on NAD Road, Kalamassery. See all hostel photos

Before the panchayat

The oldest event linked to Edathala in public sources is a battle at Padamattam. Wikipedia says it was fought about 300 years ago between the ruler of Edappally and a local chief called Kalathil Kartha. No exact date is given, so we cannot date it more precisely. Wikipedia also notes that the Navy’s armament establishment now stands near the old battlefield. Old temples, including Kurumbakkavu, Kunjattu and Mukkottil, hold annual festivals, and Wikipedia mentions folk forms such as Pulluvanpattu, Onapattu and Oppana. Kuzhivelippady’s Juma Masjid is described as being well over a century old, though again without a firm founding year.

A taluk, a depot and a panchayat

Three administrative steps shaped modern Edathala. In 1956 the Aluva taluk was formed, according to Wikipedia’s Aluva entry, and Edathala has been part of it since. On 19 September 1958 the Indian Navy inaugurated the Naval Armament Depot, Aluva. It gave the area its best-known landmark and the name of NAD Road, and the post office beside it now serves PIN 683563. Edathala’s own sub post office uses 683561.

We could not find a published date for the panchayat’s formation. The panchayat’s website lists its past presidents, and that list starts in 1969. It runs: K. C. Ahammed (1969–1979), P. M. Kochumuhammed (1979–1984), M. K. Koyan (1988–1994), A. Muhammadali (1995–1999), Ramani Krishnankutty (2000–2003), Manikuttan (2003–2005), Lalitha Gopinath (2005–2010), M. A. M. Muneer (2010–2015), Sajitha Abbas (2015–2020), Preeja Kunjumon (2020–2024) and Liji C. K. (2024–2025). The list has a gap between 1984 and 1988, which we have not been able to explain. For the results of recent polls, see Edathala panchayat elections, 2020 and 2025.

Timeline

Date	What happened	Source
c. 18th century (approx.)	Battle at Padamattam between the Edappally ruler and Kalathil Kartha (date not documented)	Wikipedia: Edathala
1956	Aluva taluk formed; Edathala falls within it	Wikipedia: Aluva
19 September 1958	Naval Armament Depot, Aluva inaugurated	Indian Navy
1969	First name on the panchayat’s list of past presidents (K. C. Ahammed, 1969–1979)	Edathala Grama Panchayat website
2011	Census: 77,811 people on 34.99 km²	Wikipedia: Edathala
2020–2025	Presidents Preeja Kunjumon (2020–2024) and Liji C. K. (2024–2025)	Edathala Grama Panchayat website

From farmland to colleges and workshops

By the 2011 census Edathala was a large, mixed place: 38,454 men and 39,357 women, with literacy of about 82% by Wikipedia’s figures. Its later growth came less from heavy industry than from institutions and small manufacturing. Wikipedia lists the KMEA engineering, architecture and arts colleges at Kuzhivelippady, MES College for Advanced Studies, Al-Ameen College and Rajagiri Hospital. It also lists small industries such as plastics, tyre and tube units, pharmaceuticals and structural fabrication at Pukkattupady. Cochin International Airport is about 20 km away.

The Seaport–Airport Road’s planned second phase through NAD Junction is the newest chapter. Its history is told in our Seaport–Airport Road history.

Localities and what their names suggest

Wikipedia lists about a dozen localities within the panchayat: Pukkattupady, Chunangamvely, Kuzhivelippady, Manalimukku, Kunjattukara, Njarakkattumoola, Maidanimugal, Malekkapady, Kuzhikkattukara, Nalammile, Mulepally, Nochima and Kodikuthumala. Several end in common Malayalam place-name elements. *-pady* or *-padi* usually marks a stop or junction on a road, *-kara* a bank or settlement area, and *-mukku* a corner or meeting point. These are general patterns of the language, not documented histories of each place. Mosques at Njarakkattumoola, Maidanimugal, Malekkapady and Nalammile and the Devi temples listed by Wikipedia show how many of these localities grew around a place of worship.

Near the NAD signal, OpenStreetMap maps Kuzhikkattukara’s Juma Masjid about 780 m east of the junction and St Mary’s Church, Nochima about 350 m south-east. A bus stop simply called Kuzhikkattukara lies about 860 m east. These small landmarks are still how residents give directions.

What we could not confirm

The year Edathala grama panchayat was first constituted. Its president list starts in 1969, but the panchayat may be older.
The date of the Padamattam battle.
Whether the panchayat’s boundaries changed when Kalamassery became a municipality in 1990.

Why this history matters near the NAD signal

The NAD signal is where Kalamassery municipality, Edathala panchayat and the naval depot meet. So a resident may pay waste fees to one local body, walk to a shop in another and post letters through an office named after the depot. Ashraf Gents Hostel sits at that meeting point, at Ashraf house, NAD Road, signal (PIN 683563). It offers monthly and daily stays for men, and you can call +91 90746 23855 to ask which local body handles its services. Practical pages: Edathala guide, Edathala panchayat services and Nochima and the NAD area. The full archive is at Kalamassery history archive.

Frequently asked questions

When was Edathala panchayat formed?

We could not find a published formation date. The panchayat’s list of past presidents begins with K. C. Ahammed in 1969.

How big is Edathala?

Wikipedia gives an area of 34.99 km² and a 2011 census population of 77,811.

Is Nochima part of Edathala?

Wikipedia lists Nochima among Edathala’s localities. Check ward details with the panchayat for a particular house.

What is Padamattam known for?

Wikipedia says a battle was fought there about 300 years ago between the ruler of Edappally and Kalathil Kartha. No exact date is documented.

Sources

Facts about Ashraf Gents Hostel come from the hostel’s own profile and photos; rates are indicative and confirmed on the call. Last reviewed 8 October 2026. How we write these guides: editorial notes. Map embeds © Google.

Cite this guide: Ashraf Gents Hostel. “Edathala: History of a Panchayat East of Aluva.” Published 8 October 2026. https://ashrafgentspghostel.adserr.com/edathala-history/ Plain-text (Markdown) version · quoting with a link back is welcome.