Chennai, August 27: The Greater Chennai Corporation, formerly known as the Madras Municipal Corporation, holds the distinction of being the oldest municipal corporation in India and the second oldest in the world after London. Established on 29 September 1688 by a Royal Charter of King James II, the civic body continues to play a pivotal role in the development and governance of the city.
The Corporation of Madras was set up during the British colonial era to improve civic amenities, regulate trade, and maintain law and order in the rapidly growing port city. Initially, it had just 12 aldermen and 29 burgesses as members. Today, it has grown into a massive governing body administering an area of over 426 sq km with a population of more than 70 lakh residents.
Over the centuries, the Chennai Corporation has overseen the transformation of the city—from colonial-era trading hub to modern-day metropolitan capital of Tamil Nadu. It manages vital urban functions including roads, health, sanitation, water supply, waste management, and heritage conservation.
On the global stage, Chennai’s civic body is celebrated for its historic continuity, being older than many municipal corporations across Asia and even some in Europe.
As India focuses on rapid urbanization and the Smart Cities Mission, the Chennai Corporation stands as a reminder of the country’s long history of structured civic governance.