In a significant move to improve urban governance and infrastructure, the Tamil Nadu government has upgraded seven town panchayats to municipalities, ensuring better administration, increased funding, and improved public services.
According to D. Karthikeyan, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, the town panchayats of Polur, Chengam, Kanniyakumari, Sankagiri, Kothagiri, Avinashi, and Perundurai have now been designated as municipalities. This is part of the stateās broader effort to strengthen urban local bodies and enhance governance.
Systematic Urban Expansion
Tamil Nadu has been undertaking a systematic reorganisation of its urban local bodies over the past few years.
2021: The state established six new municipal corporations and 28 municipalities, significantly expanding the reach of urban governance.
August 10, 2024: The government announced the formation of four new municipal corporationsāTiruvannamalai, Namakkal, Karaikudi, and Pudukkottaiāby merging two town panchayats and 46 village panchayats into these urban centers.
August 12, 2024: Government Orders (GO) were issued proposing the conversion of Mamallapuram, Sriperumbudur, and Tiruvaiyaru into municipalities, recognizing their growing urban potential and infrastructural needs.
January 1, 2025: The government issued a GO outlining plans for the creation of 134 new municipalities and 25 new panchayats, marking one of the largest administrative overhauls in recent years.
This expansion aims to provide better civic amenities, urban planning, and governance, ensuring that rapidly growing areas receive adequate infrastructure and public services.