Elathur, Kozhikode

Elathur (Malayalam: എലത്തൂര്‍) is a town which is recently added to Kozhikode corporation in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located about 12 km north of Calicut city on the Calicut-Kannur National Highway 17 and is bounded by Arabian Sea on the west and Korapuzha River (Elathur River) on the north.^[1] The Elathur River is generally considered as the boundary between the North Malabar and South Malabar in the erstwhile district of Malabar.

As of 2001 census, Elathur panchayat had a population of 41,326^[2] which is a blend of almost equal percentage of Hindus and Muslims. The panchayat is spread over an area of 13.58 km². but a major portion of the area has been taken up by National Highway, State highway, rivers and Indian Railways.^[3]

Elathur is well connected by road and rail. The National Highway NH 17 passes through the panchayat. The Elathur railway station is located on the east side of the National Highway.^[4] Kozhikode Regional Office of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) is located close to the railway station.^[5]

To the west of Elathur lies the Arabian Sea and the Elathur beach stretches from Puthiyanirathe to Korapuzha. The marine mussels are found abundant in this part of the sea.

Canoly Canal

The historic Canoly Canal named after the Malabar Collector R. Canoly of the erstwhile British regime runs through Elathur. It was constructed during the tenure of Canoly in 1848 and was used as a major waterway shipping goods and ferrying passengers in the Calicut district till the late 1950s.^[6] The canal links Korapuzha to Kallayi River.

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