It is also known for being the oldest place of learning the teachings of Islam at Kottakkal. The municipality of Malappuram is known as the best council in the upkeep of civic amenities and cleanliness. The government of Kerala has awarded it for its excellence in this area. It is now proposed to upgrade Malappuram to a municipal corporation by adding parts of Anakkayam, Koottilangadi, Manjeri, Pookkottur, Kodur and Kottakkal with Malappuram municipality.
Malappuram is a well established trading centre of Kerala. Tourism is a major commercial activity in the city. It attracts lakhs of visitors every year to places like Kottakkunnu, Shanthitheeram, Inkel Greens and Kottakkal Arya Vidya Sala - a place engaged in the propagation of ayurveda and to other institutions that have turned it into an educational hub of higher education in Kerala. It has adequate facilities for the conveyance of men and material to all over Kerala, the major cities of southern peninsula and other parts of the country.
Road Transport in Malappuram
Malappuram has adequate road infrastructure to provide linkage to all the districts, talukas and towns. A well-kept 4000 kms of roads cater to the daily requirements of thousands of workers in manufacturing hubs, students, service people, farmers, tradesmen and others in the district. KSRTC plies more than 300 buses on a daily basis. The services are run from its depots of Malappuram, Ponnai, Nilambur and Perinthamanna.NH 17 is the major artery connecting Malappuram with the main centres of the district. It enters Malappuram from Idimuzikkal, runs through the Calicut University, Kottakkal, Kuttipurum, and Ponnai to terminate at Kadikkad covering more than 80 kms of the district. It cuts across NH 213 at Iykarappadi and runs up to Karinkallathani for about 65 kms connecting all the major towns and talukas of the district. Some important state highways that run through the area are SH 73 from Tirur to Malappuram, SH 24 from Kozhikode to Downhill Malappuram and SH 71 connecting 208kms via road along with 1200 kms of the major district roads. Malappuram has about 160 kms of rural roads also.
