Punalur

                                                                                Punalur is one of the important industrial centers of kerala. Punalur suspension bridge is very famous. The Suspension bridge accross the Kallada river is the only one of its kind in south India and it is 400 ft long. A  concrete bridge has been constructed near by and now the suspension bridge is only of archaeological interest. 

Punalur suspension bridge crossing the river is the only suspended-deck type in south India. Built in 1877 by Albert Henry across the this huge bridge was suspended by three spans and was used for vehicular movement. Construction took more than six years. It is said that after completion of the bridge people hesitated to walk through the bridge. In order to prove the strength of the bridge the engineer and his family passed under the bridge in a country boat while six elephants were walking through the bridge. Now the bridge is only of archeological interest.

 Punalur is the head Quarters of Pathanapuram Taluk. This place is the gateway to Western Ghats and it is connected to the towns of Tamil Nadu like Tenkasi. This place was famous since in 19th century due to the paper mill which operated near to the town. Later a plywood factory was also set up at Punalur. By 2000, both of the industries which had contributed significantly to the growth of Punalur became nonoperational. Right now paper mill has been renovated and would become operational by Jan 2011. The plywood factory is being taken over by KINFRA (Kerala industrial infrastructure Development Corporation) to set up the biggest KINFRA initiative.

Location: It is situated 45 km north-east of Kollam and 75 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. It is 45 kms from Kollam on the Kollam-Shencotta railway line and is also linked with Kollam by road.