Kollam Municipal Corporation

Kollam, was an ancient trade hub and one of the largest port cities in Asia in ancient times.^[7][8] In 20th century city became a major cashew processing and export center and industrial center and also the seat of British Residency.

In 1894 through second regulation a committee was constituted at Quilon for sanitation and by 1901 this committee got taxation powers. In 1910 this was elevated to Town Development Authority and by 1921 a municipality in 1921. It is also said that a municipal board was constituted in 1888 precursor to this.^[9] In 1928 Regent Maharani proclaimed an order which clearly defined the powers and duties of the municipal council. The council had 17 members which included 11 elected, nominated and ex-officio members and the voting powers was restricted to tax payers and graduates till 1946. The initial chairmen were all advocates of bar council.

In 1948, the council got its first elected chairman and first chairman from a backward community. The council was suspended between 1984–88 and powers where conferred to District Collectors then. The municipality initially had its office at Puthukulangara Palace in Anandavalleshwaram, in 1937 a new building was constructed near Chinnakada flyover and Sri Moolam Thirunal Palace. In 1970's the present day building near Cantonment was purchased from H&C.

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.

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]

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

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
• Thrikkadavoor Zone.^[17]

Functions

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][19]

• 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

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

Corporation Election 2025

More information S.No., Party name ...

S.No.	Party name	Party symbol	Number of Corporators	Change
1.	UDF		27	18
2.	LDF		16	23
3.	BJP		12	6
4.	OTHERS		01
Total			56

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Corporation Election 2020

More information S.No., Party name ...

S.No.	Party name	Party symbol	Number of Corporators	Change
1.	LDF		39	3
3.	UDF		09	7
3.	BJP		06	4
4.	OTHERS		01
Total			55

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Corporation Election 2015

More information S.No., Party name ...

S.No.	Party name	Party symbol	Number of Corporators	Change
1.	LDF		36	2
3.	UDF		16	3
3.	BJP		02	2
4.	IND		01	1
Total			55

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Election history

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

More information Year of election, LDF ...

Year of election	LDF	UDF	NDA	Others	Total seats	Winner	Source
2025	16	27	12	1	55	UDF 18
2020	39	9	6	1	55	LDF 3	[32]
2015	36	16	2	1	55	LDF 2	[33]
2010[34]	34	19	0	2	55	LDF 2	[35]
2005	36	10	0	6	52	LDF 11	[36]
2000	25	20	0	5	50	LDF	[37]

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Prior to formation of the Municipal Corporation, Kollam was a Municipality and in the last elections held to the municipality in 1995 LDF was the winner.

In 2000, Sabitha Beegum became the first Muslim mayor in Kerala and she was one of the youngest person to become mayor in India then. In 2010, then mayor N. Padmalochanan from CPI(M) had to step down from his post following a controversy surrounding him attending an RSS event.^[45][46] In 2025, Prassana Earnest had to step down and make way for a CPI mayor following protest from the alliance partner of LDF.^[47][48][49]

The Chinnakada Clock Tower was constructed in 1944 as tribute to then chairman K.G. Parameshwaran Pillai.

• ISO 9001:2015 certification: In May 2019, Kollam City Corporation achieved the ISO 9001: 2015 certification for the best municipal administration and services.^[59][60]
• 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.^[61][62]
• 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.^[63]

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. She has also faced criticism for nepotism towards her husband X Earnest and lack of governance in the city.^[64] In September 2023, Thozhilurappu Workers staged protest against her for non payment of wages and they were met with police brutality.

The City Corporation is widely criticized for not developing physical infrastructure in the city in proportion to its rising population and traffic. Kollam is the only city corporation in Kerala without a proper Bus station.^[65][66] The major roads leading to the city from neighborhood and nearby towns such as Kottiyam, Kavanad, Kannanalloor, Kundara, Anchalumoodu are narrow and has not seen any major development in last three decades. The Olayilkadavu Bridge that could neither land properly on other side nor be opened partially for three years was subjected to wide Social media criticism.^[67] The corporation face public ire for not catering civic amenities like street lightings, waste management etc. in an effective manner.^[68] The poor governance combined with decline of manufacturing sector has led to stagnation in economy and increase in poverty and crimes.^[69][70][71] The CPIM leadership in corporation invited criticism in 2024 for hindering Kollam Junction railway station redevelopment.^[72]

The corporation faced criticism over poor waste management at Kureepuzha Chandi Depot and also for polluting Ramsar site, Ashtamudi Lake.^[73] In 2021 following National Green Tribunal directive the corporation carried out extensive Biomining in the area.^[74]

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