Chittoor May Lose Mandals As Madanapalle Dist Demand Gains steam

The move, backed by a preliminary government notification, has not only sparked local concern but also reignited the long-standing demand for the formation of a separate Madanapalle district.

According to the notification, the mandals of Punganur, Chowdepalli, Somala, and Sadum from the Palamaner division, along with Rompicherla and Pulicherla from Chittoor division, are to be brought under the Madanapalle revenue division in Annamayya district. The public and stakeholders have been given 30 days to submit objections or suggestions regarding the proposed reorganisation.

This development marks another reduction in Chittoor’s territorial extent. Once the largest district in the state with 66 mandals, Chittoor now risks of being reduced to 25, following the 2022 reorganisation and the latest proposal. If additional plans to shift the remaining mandals of Nagari, Nindra, and Vijayapuram to Tirupati district are implemented, the district could be left with just 22 mandals.

The move is being justified on administrative grounds, with officials citing the distance of the affected mandals from the Chittoor district headquarters and their proximity to Rayachoti—the headquarters of Annamayya district—and the Madanapalle revenue division. “This reorganisation reflects the ground reality. These mandals are closer to Rayachoti in terms of geography and accessibility. It will help improve governance and service delivery”, said a senior official from the revenue department.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions. In Chittoor, concerns have been raised about the continued erosion of the district’s administrative and political significance. However, in the Madanapalle and Thamballapalle regions, the move has been welcomed as a step toward long-awaited district status. “This is more than a boundary change. It’s about long-overdue recognition for our region”, said K.Srinivasulu, a member of the Madanapalle Zila Sadhana Samithi. “We have been demanding district status for over a decade. This brings us closer to that goal”.

Meanwhile, the development adds weight to the Telugu Desam government’s electoral promise of creating a new district centred on Madanapalle. With the proposed addition of Punganur to the Madanapalle division, observers view this as a potential first step toward carving out a new district comprising the Madanapalle, Tamballapalle, Punganur, and Piler constituencies.

However, political observers believe the decision could also diminish the influence of former minister and YSRC senior leader Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, who has long held sway in Chittoor. “This decision could be both administrative and political. It may help the government strengthen its base in the region while also countering the influence of senior leaders in Chittoor”, said a TD functionary, referring to Peddireddy’s stronghold in the district.