Between backwaters and sea
NH 66 runs south from Alappuzha along a narrow strip between the backwaters and the Arabian Sea, through Ambalappuzha, Haripad, Kayamkulam and Karunagappally to Kollam. At about 82 km, a household can usually be loaded in the morning and placed in a Kollam home by afternoon, though the many towns on the way slow the truck.
Road works on NH 66
Parts of NH 66 along the Kerala coast have been under widening, with diversions and slow stretches in places. Ask the mover about the current state of the road when you book, and allow extra time.
Leaving Alappuzha
Homes beside canals or in Kuttanad may need goods carried across footbridges or along paths to a waiting vehicle, and occasionally moved by boat. Plan this with the mover and allow extra crew. Coir or fishing stock should go on a separate list.
Arriving in Kollam
From the north, the truck reaches the colonies along the highway first. Kollam's commercial centre around Chinnakada, the clock tower and Main Road is busy and tight for parking, while Kadappakada, Thevally, Asramam and Uliyakovil have quieter residential streets with houses in compounds. Towards the coast, the harbour and fishing areas have narrow lanes. Tell the mover the exact address.
Monsoon on the coast
Both towns get heavy rain from about June to September, and low-lying areas near the backwaters can flood. Ask for waterproof wrapping, a covered vehicle and loading in a dry spell, and keep a back-up date.
December to February is usually the most comfortable window.
Coir, cashew and fishing
Alappuzha's coir and Kollam's cashew industries, and the fishing harbours at both ends, employ many families on this route. If you're moving stock, tools or gear as well as household goods, keep them on a separate list with their own paperwork, and check whether the risk coverage includes business goods.
Festivals and dates
Onam, Christmas, the boat races at both ends and the temple festivals along the route keep crews busy, and the Chettikulangara festival near Kayamkulam draws large crowds. Choose a date clear of these if you can.
Transfers and paperwork
Government, bank and port transfers are common on this route. If an employer is paying, ask what documents they need; every mover we work with provides a GST invoice.
Damp-proof packing
Ask for wooden furniture to be dried and wrapped in blankets before plastic goes on, mattresses covered and electronics packed with padding. Label each carton with the room it's going to.
Two boat-race towns
Both towns are famous for their snake boat races, Alappuzha's on Punnamada lake and Kollam's on Ashtamudi, and race days draw big crowds to the lakeside roads. If your date is close to either, check the schedule and ask the mover to avoid the lakeside stretches on race day.
Settling in
Find out how water and power backup work in the new home, keep good ventilation for the damp, and book internet as soon as you have the address. Malayalam is spoken at both ends.