The Tamil Nadu government has increased the number of village panchayats in the Nilgiris district from 35 to 88.
New village panchayats were formed by splitting 27 existing village panchayats. The remaining eight village panchayats were not disturbed. The government took the decision considering factors like hilly terrain, lack of transport and village residents unable to reach panchayat union offices.
As a result, the government decided to increase the number of village panchayats in the Udhagamandalam panchayat union from 13 to 38: in the Coonoor panchayat union from 4 to 11; in Kothagiri panchayat union from 7 to 19; and in the Gudalur panchayat union from 3 to 20.
On November 27, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj issued an order to this effect.
The decision is part of the government’s drive to reorganize rural local authorities. The official clarifies that currently no other district will see any increase in the number of village panchayats and the government must not elevate Udhagamandalam municipality to a municipal corporation.
Published – 01 Dec 2025 20:53 IST
