Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Anantapur Seeks Expansion to Improve Smart City Prospects
Anantapur is growing, but its city limits cover only about 17.5 square kilometres.
Some growing areas are still governed by nearby village councils called gram panchayats.
Planners want seven to nine of these panchayats to join the city corporation.
This could make the city about 30 square kilometres in size.
A larger city area would make it easier to plan roads, drainage, water, sanitation and transport together.
Officials believe this could improve Anantapur’s chance of receiving Smart City status.
An IIT Delhi team has already visited to offer planning advice.
The merger may happen only after elections because officials want to avoid legal problems.
Anantapur Municipal Corporation currently covers about 17.5 square kilometres.
Urban planners recommend merging seven to nine adjoining gram panchayats with the corporation.
The proposed expansion could increase the urban area to roughly 30 square kilometres.
Expansion would support integrated planning for roads, drainage, water, sanitation and transport.
The proposal may be considered after local elections to avoid legal complications.
- Who
- Anantapur Municipal Corporation, urban planners, Anantapur MP Ambika Lakshminarayana and adjoining gram panchayats are involved.
- What
- The proposal seeks to expand the corporation by merging seven to nine surrounding gram panchayats.
- When
- The proposal may be considered after elections to the corporation and adjoining gram panchayats.
- Where
- Anantapur, including areas such as JNTU Anantapur, Tapovanam and Rudrampeta.
- Why
- To support planned urban growth, improve infrastructure planning and strengthen Anantapur’s prospects of securing Smart City status.
- Current urban area
- About 17.5 square kilometres
- Proposed urban area
- About 30 square kilometres
- Proposed mergers
- Seven to nine adjoining gram panchayats
- Areas mentioned
- JNTU Anantapur, Tapovanam and Rudrampeta
- Planning support
- An IIT Delhi team recently inspected the city
- Requested by
- Anantapur MP Ambika Lakshminarayana
- Timing condition
- Consideration after elections to avoid legal complications