The Government Engineering College Thrissur (GECT or Thrissur Engineering College) is a technical education institute in Kerala, India. It is the second oldest engineering college established in Kerala and the first engineering college to be established after the formation of Kerala State. In 2009, Mint (newspaper) rated GECT among the top 50 government engineering colleges in India. Reccaanit gave an Excellent grade to the college during its survey of engineering colleges in Kerala for 2009. The college was initially located at the Maharaja Technological Institute Chembukkavu campus in 1957. The foundation stone of the college was laid by the late Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, on 26 April 1958. The college shifted to its present campus in October 1960. The college was formally inaugurated by late Pattom A. Thanu Pillai, Chief Minister of Kerala on 2 February 1962. The campus is spread over an area of 120 acres (0.49 km) and is located at Ramavarmapuram which is 5 km from the heart of Thrissur town and 6 km from Thrissur Railway station. Prof. S. Rajaraman, a civil engineer and author of engineering books, was the first Principal. He, along with Prof.