State Highway 21 (Kerala)

State Highway 21 (SH 21) or Chalakkudy-Malakkappara Road is a State Highway in Kerala, India that starts in Chalakudy and ends at the state boundary with Tamil Nadu at Malakkappara. The road where its majority of portion passes through Sholayar reservoir is 86.0 kilometres (53.4 mi) long.[1] It passes through one of the most picturesque rainforests and is often described as one of the best scenic routes in India.[2] The Athirappilly falls and Vazhachal falls are located on this route. It connects with Valparai-Pollachi Road in Tamil Nadu.

State Highway 21 shield}}
State Highway 21
Chalakudy-Malakkappara Road
SH 21 highlighted in red
Way to Vazhachal From Athirappilly.JPG
Chalakudy-Vazhachal strech on the road
Route information
Maintained by Kerala Public Works Department
Length86 km (53 mi)
Major junctions
West end NH 544 in Chalakkudy
East endMDR-354 at Tamil Nadu border in Malakkappara
Location
CountryIndia
StateKerala
DistrictsThrissur, Palakkad
Highway system
State Highways in Kerala
← SH 19→ SH 22

Route description
A view of Sholayar reserve forest from a viewpoint on the road

The road begins from Chalakudy in Thrissur district where it meets the NH 544. It then enters the Athirappilly stretch, goes through Vettilapara and reaches Athirappilly Water Falls. It then goes to the Vazhachal-Malakkappara strech from a forest checkpost located at Vazhachal, 4 km from Athirappilly.[3] From here, the vehicles are allowed only from 6 am to 6 pm (6 am - 4 pm for two wheelers). The road then reaches the Malakkappara checkpost near the Tamil Nadu border. It ends near Malakkappara and the Valparai-Pollachi road starts a few distance from there.

The Vazhachal-Malakkappara strech is situated on the banks of the Chalakudy river. The area is covered with thick forest and unauthorised entry into the forest is prohibited and punishable as per Kerala Wildlife Protection Act. Charpa waterfalls viewpoint, Peringalkuthu dam reservoir viewpoint, Anakkayam bridge, Sholayar hydro power station and Nellikunnu viewpoint are located on this stretch. The human habitation on the area is limited to some isolated tribal hamlets.[4]

References
  1. "Kerala PWD - State Highways". Kerala State Public Works Department. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
  2. "Drive along one of India's most beautiful forest road". OnManorama. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  3. "Take a one-day bus ride on the serene Chalakudy-Malakkappara route for just Rs 204!". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  4. "Misty vignettes of a virgin land". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
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