# 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. 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. 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.

## History

Kollam, was an ancient trade hub and one of the largest port cities in Asia in ancient times. 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.
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). 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).

## 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. 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. The corporation has eight standing committees for smooth governance of the city. Each of these committees is headed by an elected councilor, who serves as its chairperson. 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 and Thrikkadavoor Zone.

## 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

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:
* 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.

### 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 | 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 | 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 |
| 2020 | 39 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 55 | LDF 3 |
| 2015 | 36 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 55 | LDF 2 |
| 2010 | 34 | 19 | 0 | 2 | 55 | LDF 2 |
| 2005 | 36 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 52 | LDF 11 |
| 2000 | 25 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 50 | LDF |

## 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): ||||

## 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): ||||

## 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 |
| 2024-25 | ₹192.08cr | ₹1090.59 cr | ₹1181.42cr | ₹90.83 cr |
| 2023-24 | ₹243.54cr | ₹1098.44 cr | ₹1187.15cr | ₹88.71 cr |
| 2022-23 | NA | ₹1193.41 cr | ₹1292.81cr | ₹99.40 cr |
| 2021-22 | ₹165.41 cr | ₹1077.41 cr | ₹1124.23 cr | ₹46.82 cr |
| 2020-21 | ₹117.56 cr | ₹336.21 cr | ₹384 cr | NA |
| 2019-20 | NA | ₹584.74 cr | ₹617.13 cr | ₹32.38 cr |
| 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 |

## Kollam Corporation projects under construction/ completed
### Chinnakada Underpass

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. 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. 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.

### 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.

## 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.
* 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.
* 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.

## 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.