Kollam Municipal Corporation

Kollam Municipal Corporation (KMC) is an ISO 9001:2015 certified civic body that governs the city of Kollam in the Indian state of Kerala.^[2][3][4][5] It is the fourth-largest city corporation by population in the state, and the fifth-largest by area. Constituted in 1903 it was officially recognized as a city corporation in 2000.^[6] The body governs an area of 73.03 square kilometres (28.20 sq mi) centered at Kollam, with about 55 divisions and a population of 397,419.^[7]

Kollam Municipal Corporation
Logo of KMC
Type
Type	Municipal Corporation of Kollam
Term limits	5 years
History
Founded	1 October 2000; 24 years ago (2000-10-01) Became Municipality in the year 1921.
Leadership
Mayor	Honey Benjamin, CPI
Deputy Mayor	Kollam Madhu
Municipal Corporation Secretary	Anu R S
Structure
Seats	55 councils 6 Zones Central Zone Sakthikulangara Vadakkevila Kilikollur Eravipuram Thrikkadavoor
Political groups	Government   CPI(M): 29 seats   CPI: 10 seats Opposition   INC: 6 seats   RSP: 3 seats   BJP: 6 seats   SDPI: 1 seat
Committees	8 Development standing committee Education & Sports standing committee Finance standing committee Health standing committee Public works standing committee Tax appeal standing committee Town planning standing committee Welfare standing committee
Elections
Last election	2020 - LDF Won
Meeting place
Corporation Office, Cantonment, Kollam
Website
www.kollamcorporation.gov.in
Footnotes
ISO 9001:2015 certification (May 2019) for the best Municipal administration and services.[1]

History

Kollam, was an ancient trade hub and one of the largest port cities in Asia in ancient times.^[8][9] The city became a municipal board in 1888 and a municipality in 1921. In 20th century city became a major cashew processing and export center and industrial center. The high population density, population and economic activity eventually led to Kollam Municipality getting upgraded to a Municipal Corporation by the Kerala Government on 1 October 2000.

Corporation office Kollam

The city population of Kollam increased substantially from 139,852 in 1991 to 346,013 in 2011 since Vadakkevila, Sakthikulangara, Eravipuram and Kilikollur Panchayats were merged with Kollam City when city was upgraded to a Municipal Corporation. As a result, the area run by the Municipal Corporation increased from 18.48 square kilometres (7.14 sq mi) to 58.18 square kilometres (22.46 sq mi).^[10] In May 2015, Thrikkadavoor Panchayat was also merged with Kollam city, increasing the total population to 397,419, with a total area of 73.03 square kilometres (28.20 sq mi).^[11][12]

Structure

Kollam Municipal Corporation (KMC)

Mayor	Prasanna Earnest
Police Commissioner	P. K. Madhu IPS
Deputy Mayor	Kollam Madhu
Secretary	Anu R S
District Collector	Shri. Devidas. N IAS

The City Corporation of Kollam has a 55-member council headed by a mayor, who is assisted by a deputy mayor.^[13] The average population of every ward is around 7,000. Each ward is represented in the Municipal Council by an elected councilor. The Kerala Municipalities (KM) Act, 1994, governs all functions in the KMC.^[10] The corporation has eight standing committees for smooth governance of the city.^[14] Each of these committees is headed by an elected councilor, who serves as its chairperson.^[15][16] The standing committees are: Finance, Development, Welfare, Health and Education, Public works, Town planning, Tax appeal and Education and Sports.

Zones

Map of Kollam City

For ease of administration, the KMC is divided into the following seven zones, each housing a zonal office: Central Zone - 1, Central Zone - 2, Sakthikulangara Zone, Vadakkevila Zone, Kilikollur Zone, Eravipuram Zone and Thrikkadavoor Zone.^[17]

Councils

The KMC consists of 55 divisions or councils spread across its seven zones.

Councils of Kollam Municipal Corporation

No.	Ward	Councillor	Party
1	MARUTHADI	Sumi M.	INC
2	SAKTHIKULANGARA	M. Pushpangadhan (Babu)	RSP
3	MEENATHUCHERY	Deepu Gangadharan	RSP
4	KAVANAD	Kollam Madhu	CPI
5	VALLIKEEZHU	S. Jayan	CPI(M)
6	KUREEPUZHA WEST	Sreelatha	CPI(M)
7	KUREEPUZHA	Girija Thulasi	CPI(M)
8	NEERAVIL	Sindhurani	CPI(M)
9	ANCHALUMMOODU	S. Swarnamma	RSP
10	KADAVOOR	Girija Santhosh	CPI
11	MATHILIL	Tylus Thomas (Suma)	RSP
12	THEVALLY	B. Shylaja	BJP
13	VADAKKUMBHAGAM	Honey	CPI
14	ASRAMAM	Sajithanand Teacher	BJP
15	ULIYAKOVIL	Abhilash T.R.	BJP
16	ULIYAKOVIL EAST	Ambili	CPI(M)
17	KADAPPAKADA	Kripa Vinod	BJP
18	KOYIKKAL	Santhosh	CPI(M)
19	KALLUMTHAZHAM	Sabu B.	CPI
20	MANGADU	TG Gireesh	BJP
21	ARUNNOOTTIMANGALAM	Asha Biju	CPI(M)
22	CHATHINAMKULAM	Krishendhu	SDPI
23	KARIKODE	Sujakrishnan	CPI(M)
24	COLLEGE	S. Geethakumari	CPI(M)
25	PALKULANGARA	Arathi S.	CPI(M)
26	AMMAN NADA	Prem Ushar	CPI(M)
27	VADAKKEVILA	Sreedevi Amma	INC
28	PALLIMUKKU	M. Sajeev	CPI(M)
29	AYATHIL	Adv G. Udayakumar	CPI(M)
30	KILIKOLLOOR	A. Noushad	CPI
31	PUNTHALATHAZHAM	V. Praji	CPI
32	PALATHARA	A. Aneeshkumar	BJP
33	MANACADU	Naseema Shihab	CPI(M)
34	KOLLOORVILA	Hamzathbeevi	INC
35	KAYYALAKKAL	Mehrunissa M	CPI(M)
36	VALATHUNGAL	Suja	CPI
37	AKKOLIL	Maya S. Balu	CPI(M)
38	THEKKUMBHAGAM	Sunil Jose	INC
39	ERAVIPUARAM	V.S. Priyadarshan	CPI(M)
40	BHARANIKKAVU	S. Savitha Devi	CPI
41	THEKKEVILA	T.P. Abhimanyu	CPI(M)
42	MUNDAKKAL	Kuruvila Joseph	INC
43	PATTATHANAM	M.H. Nizamudeen	CPI(M)
44	CONTONMENT	Adv. A.K. Savad	CPI(M)
45	UDAYAMARTHANDAPUARAM	Sajeev Soman	CPI
46	THAMARAKULAM	Prassanna Earnest	CPI(M)
47	PALLITHOTTAM	N. Tomy	CPI
48	PORT	George D. Kattil	INC
49	CUTCHERY	G. Somarajan	CPI(M)
50	KAIKULANGARA	Minimol G.R.	CPI(M)
51	THANGASSERY	J. Stanly	CPI(M)
52	THIRUMULLAVARAM	Pavithra U.	CPI(M)
53	MULANKADAKAM	J. Sethulakshmi	CPI(M)
54	ALATTUKAVU	Asha S.	CPI(M)
55	KANNIMEL	Aswathy A.	CPI(M)

Functions

Apartments built at Cantonment area in Kollam Corporation under RAY Project for providing housing in the urban places

As per the Kerala Municipal Act of 1994, the Government of Kerala transferred powers and functions to local self-governments in 1995, along with institutions, offices, and functionaries. Consequently, 18 functions are maintained by the Municipal Corporation:^[10][18]

• Regulation of land use and construction of buildings
• Roads and bridges
• Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
• Slum improvement/upgradation
• Urban poverty alleviation
• Provision of urban amenities such as parks and playgrounds
• Promotion of cultural, educational, and aesthetic aspects
• Burial grounds and crematoria
• Cattle pounds
• Public health - Sewerage, water supply
• Registration of births and deaths
• Public conveniences including street lighting, parking lots, etc.
• Regulation of slaughterhouses
• Spatial planning (urban and socio-economic planning)
• Urban forestry
• Fire fighting
• Education
• Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections

Revenue sources

The following are the Income sources for the corporation from the Central and State Government.^[19][20][21]

Revenue from taxes

Following is the Tax related revenue for the corporation.

• Property tax.
• Profession tax.
• Entertainment tax.
• Grants from Central and State Government like Goods and Services Tax.
• Advertisement tax.

Revenue from non-tax sources

Following is the Non Tax related revenue for the corporation.

• Water usage charges.
• Fees from Documentation services.
• Rent received from municipal property.
• Funds from municipal bonds.

Kollam City Corporation Election history

The first local body election after Kollam municipality was upgraded to a corporation took place in 2000.

Election Result - 2020

S.No.	Political Front/Party	Major Party's symbol	Number of Corporators
1	Left Democratic Front (LDF)		39
2	United Democratic Front (UDF)		9
3	National Democratic Alliance (NDA)		6
4	Others		1

Election Result - 2015

S.No.	Political Front/Party	Major Party's symbol	Number of Corporators
1	Left Democratic Front (LDF)		36
2	United Democratic Front (UDF)		16
3	National Democratic Alliance (NDA)		02
4	Others		1

Election history

Since the incorporation of the KMC in 2000, only the LDF has been in power.

Year of election	LDF	UDF	NDA	Others	Total seats	Winner	Source
2020	39	9	6	1	55	LDF 3	[22]
2015	36	16	2	1	55	LDF 2	[23]
2010[24]	34	19	0	2	55	LDF 2	[25]
2005	36	10	0	6	52	LDF 11	[26]
2000	25	20	0	5	50	LDF	[27]

Mayors of Kollam

Mayors of Kollam

Incumbent	From	Until	Party
Sabitha Beegam	5 October 2000	30 September 2005	CPI(M)
N. Padmalochanan	6 October 2005	25 February 2010	CPI(M)
V. Rajendrababu	16 March 2010	1 October 2010	CPI(M)
Prasanna Earnest	9 November 2010	7 November 2014	CPI(M)
Honey Benjamin	25 November 2014	31 October 2015	CPI
V. Rajendrababu	18 November 2015	20 November 2019	CPI(M)
Honey Benjamin	16 December 2019	4 November 2020	CPI
Prasanna Earnest	27 December 2020	Present	CPI(M)
Source(s):[28][29][30][31][32][33][34]

Former Municipal Chairmen of Old Quilon Municipality

Former Municipal Chairmen of Old Quilon Municipality

Incumbent	From	Until	Party
C. Sankara Menon	1921	1922
Barrister Padmanabhapillai	1922	1925
M. R. Govinda Pillai	1925	1927
M. R. Madhava Varrier	1927	1930	Travancore State Congress
Paravoor Narayana Pillai	1930	1932
K. G. Parameswaran Pillai	1932	1948
Palakasseri Raghavan	1948	1952
P. R. Kochukrishna Pillai	1952	1956
K. Kesavan Potti	1956	1960
Sankaranarayanan Potti	1960	1962
T. K. Divakaran	1962	1967	RSP
S. Abdul Rahuman Koya	15 March 1967	29 April 1968
N. Thankappan	13 May 1968	7 March 1980
Karumalil Sukumaran	2 June 1980	7 May 1982	INC
K. Thankappan	28 August 1982	22 November 1983	CPI(M)
C. Raghavan Pillai	1 December 1983	29 September 1984
Gopalakrishnapillai	26 October 1984	10 April 1985
C. V. Ananda Bose IAS	26 April 1985	9 July 1987	( IAS officer appointed by Govt.)
Neelagangadharan IAS	5 August 1987	4 February 1988	( IAS officer appointed by Govt.)
Karumalil Sukumaran	17 November 1988	30 September 1995	INC
K. Thankappan	4 October 1995	1 April 1998	CPI(M)
Prof. N. G. Moorthy	4 May 1998	5 October 1999
Uliyakovil Sasi	29 October 1999	30 September 2000	CPI
Source(s):[35]

Annual budget

A budget will be presented on either January or February month of every year in Kollam Corporation. It usually envisages expenditure, revenue and surplus for that financial year.

Budget Year	Actual Surplus (from last FY)	Expenditure	Revenue	Surplus
2025-26		₹1145.12 cr	₹1228.57 cr	₹83.45 cr
2024-25	₹192.08cr	₹1090.59 cr	₹1181.42cr	₹90.83 cr[36]
2023-24	₹243.54cr	₹1098.44 cr	₹1187.15cr	₹88.71 cr[37]
2022-23	NA	₹1193.41 cr	₹1292.81cr	₹99.40 cr[38]
2021-22	₹165.41 cr	₹1077.41 cr	₹1124.23 cr	₹46.82 cr[39]
2020-21	₹117.56 cr	₹336.21 cr	₹384 cr	NA
2019-20	NA	₹584.74 cr	₹617.13 cr	₹32.38 cr[40]
2018-19	NA	NA	NA	NA
2017-18	NA	NA	NA	NA
2016-17	NA	NA	NA	NA
2015-16	NA	₹716.17 cr	₹754.88 cr	₹38.71 cr[41]

Kollam Corporation projects under construction/ completed

Chinnakada Underpass and Clocktower

Chinnakada Underpass

Marine Aquarium under construction at Kollam Beach

The Chinnakada underpass is a public road infrastructure project for the city of Kollam, as part of the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project. It is supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to ease traffic congestion at Chinnakada, the city CBD of Kollam.^[42] The presence of an existing railway over-bridge and three close intersections with heavy traffic limits options for traffic management measures, including junction improvement. This caused the authorities to conceptualize the underpass at Chinnakada. Chinnakada is a complex junction where roads from Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Downtown, Sengottai, Ashramam(Residency Road), Kollam Beach and the City bus stand road meet.

The preliminary design prepared for the underpass by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) involved the acquisition of 0.08 hectares (0.20 acres) of government land on a temporary basis.^[43] The height of the road passage above the underpass was increased to 5.5 metres (18 ft) from 5 metres (16 ft) to facilitate movement of modern container trucks through the underpass. The underpass was opened to the public at the end of May 2015.^[44][45]

Marine Aquarium at Kollam Beach

On 22 June 2014, construction work started on a marine aquarium at Kollam Beach—the first of its kind in the state of Kerala. The Harbour Engineering Department constructed the aquarium on the eastern side of the beach for the KMC. The foundation stone for the project was laid in March 2014 and it was inaugurated on 14 July 2019. The aquarium has 24 tanks worth Rs. 25 lakh, a pool with a 12,000-litre capacity, and 18 varieties of fish. The facility is open to the public in the evenings.^[46][47]

Popular activities/ achievements

• ISO 9001:2015 certification: In May 2019, Kollam City Corporation achieved the ISO 9001: 2015 certification for the best municipal administration and services.^[48]
• IUDI Conclave: The city hosted a three-day national conclave, 'Kollam City Vision', 20–22 September 2019. Jointly organised by the KMC and the Institute of Urban Designers India (IUDI), this was the second-ever IUDI conclave and the first one outside New Delhi.^[49][50]
• E-governance facilities: On 4 November 2019, the KMC launched the Intelligent Property Management System (IPMS) to regulate the recording and tax-filing of properties, and Integrated Management System (IMS), an e-governance facility. A touch-screen ‘information kiosk’ has been placed in front of the KMC headquarters in Kollam Cantonment for the public to clear their queries, track applications and search for information. A digital screen, replacing notice boards, has been placed inside the office to provide information to the public.^[51]

Recognition and criticism

In 2014, Mrs. Prasanna Earnest, then-mayor of Kollam was selected as the Best Lady Mayor of South India by the Rotary Club of Trivandrum Royal.^[52]

See also

• Kollam
• Kollam District
• Kollam Lok Sabha constituency
• Kollam Assembly Constituency
• 2020 Kollam Municipal Corporation election
• People's Planning in Kerala