has recently achieved a significant socio-economic milestone, being proclaimed as the first state in India to completely eliminate extreme poverty [5]. This achievement is the result of long-term welfare schemes and inclusive development programs that identified and supported over 64,000 families across the state [2]. The "Kerala Model" of Development
Kerala’s relationship with its poorikal is also tragic. The devastating floods of 2018 and 2019 exposed a critical flaw: many bridges, designed for historical flow rates, were too low. The (part of the Idukki Dam complex) faced near-overtopping for the first time. Furthermore, the practice of narrowing river widths to build cheaper bridges led to catastrophic backflow, flooding upstream villages. Post-2018, a new concept emerged: flood-resilient poorikal —bridges that are higher, longer, and have fewer piers to allow debris to pass. The demolition of the old Malampuzha bridge and its replacement with a single-span arch is a direct result of these hard-learned lessons. kerala poorikal exclusive
, there is a deeper, more exclusive side to the state that remains hidden in plain sight—its people, its ancient traditions, and its untouched corners. The Pulse of Tradition: More Than Just a Show While popular spots like Fort Kochi The devastating floods of 2018 and 2019 exposed
: Submitted to the government in 2019, it sat unreleased for nearly 5 years. It was finally made public in August 2024 after a State Information Commission directive, with sensitive portions redacted to protect victim privacy. it faces unique modern challenges:
While the state has eliminated extreme poverty, it faces unique modern challenges: