The AVM canal was formed in July, 1860 during the reign of Marthanda Varma Maharaja of Travancore state. It was a scheme for connecting Thiruvananthapuram with Kanyakumari and thus extending the water communications to the extreme south of the country. The section first undertaken was only a short link of that communication. By 1860 the section between Poovaru Mugham to Colachel was completed.
Marthanda Varma of Travancore state personally supervised and constructed this AVM canal, initially from Pozhiyur to Colachel in order to transport salt from Manakudi near Nagercoil and rice from the ‘Granary of Travancore’ namely the present Kanyakumari district. All the coastal villages numbering around more than 20 including, Pozhiyur, Kollencode, Neerodi, Marthandamthurai, Vallavilai, Eraviputhanthurai, Thengapattinam, Colachel, Kottilpadu, Mondaicaduputhur etc., all depended upon this water resource for most of their needs, including navigation. Moreover, this canal provided employment in the form of transport and communication of men and materials.
But today the purpose was no longer served actually. The canal was completely polluted and encroached upon.
In Mandicadu, coconut husk retting operation was going on nearer to the canal bank. But in some places like Nerodi, Manavalakurichi and south Kollencode, it took place in the canal itself.
Similarly, from Colachel to Mandaicaduputhur, the aquatic weeds posed a nuisance. Even taking bath was impossible as the presence of weed mat floating. Hence, the fishermen has urged administration to do the needful
