The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is the planning and development authority of the metropolitan area of Cochin. The jurisdictional area of GCDA comprises of the Cochin City, the commercial capital of Kerala, Kochi corporation, 9 surrounding municipalities and 21 intervening panchayaths covering an area of 632 sq.km. The Greater Cochin Development Authority has come into existence on 24-01-1976 under the Madras Town Planning Act of 1920 and Travancore Town Planning Act IV of 1108 readwith G.O. (MS) No.19176/LA & SWD dated 23-01-1976.
