Greater Cochin Development Authority (
GCDA) is the statutory body overseeing the development of the
City of Kochi in the
state of Kerala, India. Technically, GCDA oversees the development of the major part of
Greater Cochin area which consists of the
Cochin Corporation, 9 surrounding
municipalities (
Thrippunithura,
Thrikkakara,
Aluva,
Kalamassery,
Maradu,
Eloor,
North Paravur,
Angamaly, and
Perumbavoor) and 25 intervening panchayats ((
Chellanam, Kumbalanghy,
Cheranelloor,
Varappuzha,
Chennamangalam,
Kadamakkudy,
Kadungalloor,
Alengad,
Chengamanad,
Nedumbassery,
Chottanikkara,
Choornikkara,
Edathala,
Kumbalam,
Kottuvally and others) covering an area of 632 km
2. This has a population of 2,589,038 (2001 census). GCDA is one of the two development authorities in
Kochi, the other being
GIDA which oversees development in the islands towards west of the Kochi mainland, and north of the harbour, covering a total area of 100 km
2.