Evolution of Agartala city

1838: Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya set up the 'Old Haveli' at the other side of the river Howrah. The area used to be identified up to Kunjaban tilla at the north Jagaharimura and Rashman tilla to the south,the British India at the west and the river Howrah at the east. Due to frequent invasion of the Kukis and also to keep easy communication with the British Bengal, the Maharaja started the process of shifting of the Capital from Old Haveli to New Haveli (present Agartala) in the year 1849 A.D. The next Maharaja Iswar Chandra Manikya on assuming throne on 1 February 1850 A.D constructed a Palace thereon.

1862: Bir Chandra Manikya started the urbanization of the New Haveli (Agartala)

1871: The Agartala Municipality was established within area of 3 sq. miles having population 875 only by a royal proclamation. Mr. A.W.S. Power, the 1st British Political Agent for Tipperch was appointed as the Chairman of the Agartala Municipality in the year.

1872 A.D. As suggested by the 2nd Political Agent Capt. W.L. Samwell, Maharaja becomes the President of the Municipal Committee. And on behalf of the Maharaja Bir Chandra manikya, Prince Radhakishore took an active role in supervising the Municipal works.

1874: Municipal regulations were introduced with provision of taxation. The main source of income was from water tax levied on tanks and water bodies, realised fine amount of judiciary and state grant. The main task was to look after the development and maintenance of roads /paths.,drainage, bridges and markets and sanitation. During the period, the Akhaura Khal was excavated for drainage.

1897: Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya re-organised the entire administration and the officer-in-charge of the Political Department was entrusted with the Municipal affairs. During the period,. The work of Census, birth and death registration, regular sweeping and cleaning of roads and drains used to be mades

1978: Agartala Municipality was divided into 10 wards for the purpose of election of commissioners for the municipality by enlarging the municipal area to 10.94 km2. The second general municipal election was held in June 1978, Shri Amal Dasgupta was elected chairman of the 10 members elected municipal board. The municipality was further extended to an area of 15.81 sq.k.m and was divided in to 13 wards. The 3rd general municipal election was held in July 1983.

1988 to 1996: The municipality was placed under government nominated administrator. 26 October 1994: The Tripura Municipal Act.1994 was passed as per 74th amendment of the Constitution of India, The 4th general Municipal election was held in December, 1995, and municipal council of 17 elected members and 3 nominated members was formed. After the 5th general municipal election held in the month of December 2000 another municipal council with 17 elected members and 3 nominated members came to power. The municipal area was 16.012 sq. k.m. with population of 1,89,998 as per 2001 census.

2004: The Agartala Municipal Council has further been extended from 16.012 km2 to 62.02 km2 in 2004 with a population of 368493 persons. The total GAPA area covers 92 km2.

2014: Agartala Municipal council turns in Municipal Corporation.

AMC turns Corporation, 10 new municipal councils start functioning :-

The Agartala Municipal Council, northeast India's oldest municipal body, on the day of 42nd Tripura statehood day on January 21, 2014 turned into a corporation.

On the 42nd statehood day the up-gradation of Agartala Municipal Council into a municipal corporation took effect while 10 Nagar Panchayats including Dharmanagar, Kailasahar, Ambassa, Khowai, Teliamura, Mohanpur, Bishalgarh, Melaghar, Udaipur and Belonia in the sub-divisional towns were promoted as municipal councils.

Official sources said that on the occasion of the statehood day on Tuesday, these urban local bodies have been upgraded, including newer areas to give better services to the people of the state.

On the 42nd statehood day, two new Nagar Panchayats Panisagar and Jirania have also started functioning.

With the up gradation of municipal councils, nagar panchayats, now Tripura have 10 municipal councils, nine nagar panchayats and one municipal corporation.

It may be recalled here that the under the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya became full-fledged states on Jan 21, 1972.

With a population of around five lakh, the Agartala Municipal Corporation would look after the urban areas of 76 sq km.

Agartala is the second largest city in northeast India after Guwahati in Assam.

The Agartala Municipality was constituted in 1871 during the reign of erstwhile king, Maharaja Chandra Manikya (1862-96).

The first British Political Agent, A.W.B. Power was appointed for princely ruled Tripura in 1871 and become the chairman of the Agartala Municipality.

Tripura merged with the Indian Union Oct 15, 1949.

The state’s Urban Development department sources added that Dr Prafullajit Sinha and Samar Chakraborty, the incumbent chairman and vice-chairman of the Agartala Municipal Council (AMC), would be the first Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Agartala Municipal Corporation, respectively.