Tenali Town is a flourishing town of great historic importance. The relics from the excavations of the Archeology Society of India in Tenali vicinity indicate that it has the roots of Jainism and Buddhism.
The Archeological monuments revealed that the village ‘Teravali’ gradually became Tenali and it is also reputed for devotees, intellectuals, orators, artists and educationalists from ancient days.
The earliest accounts of the Country tell that this region formed part of the famous kingdom of “Andhra-Satavahana” Dynasty from 225 B.C. to 225 A.D. Subsequently the region was under the rule of the various dynasties for various periods.
As known as a center of an oriental learning, Tenali is the home of many outstanding scholars. It is the birth place of Sri Garlapati Ramalingam known popularly as Tenali Ramakrishna one of 8 poets who adorned the court of Sri Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagar. Tenali has also established for itself a unique place in the field of dramaties and fine arts.
The Krishna main canal (Nizampatnam canal) along with two parallel irrigation canals passes through this town. Construction of canals and dams in Tenali Taluk by Captain Alexander Orr in 1890 gave a boost to irrigation in the region with the sizable population, commercial, educational and social importance, Tenali has acquired a great name in this part of the country.
Tenali is the third largest urban cluster in the VGTM-UDA region after Vijayawada and Guntur City. It is one of the important commercial and transport centres of the region. The town is the head quarters of the Tenali Taluk .Over years the town has grown as a major economic, cultural and administrative nerve centre of the region.
Tenali town is situated at northern latitude of 16o–15' and eastern longitude of 80o–35' and is 9.8m above the Mean Sea Level.
Tenali, once hailed, as “Andhra Paris” is one of the oldest municipalities formed in 1909, located about 30 km from Bay of Bengal. Tenali municipality is special grade municipality, spread over an area of 15.11 sq. km.
Tenali is divisional head quarter’s mandal and revenue division. The mandal was formed on 25th may 1985 with an area of 131.82 sq. KMs. There are 13 revenue villages and 18 gram Panchayats and one municipality (Tenali, Pinapadu and Chinaravuru) in Tenali mandal.
Tenali is given the status of “Special Grade Municipality” in 1965 and comprises of 36 Election wards. In general, Chairperson will be elected by direct elections and he will act as per the powers and functions given in section 47 to 52 of A P M Act 1965. Every ward is represented by a councilor. The General administration is under the control of Municipal Commissioner who is assisted by Municipal Manager, Municipal Engineer, and Town planning officer, and Public Health Officer with a host of other officers.
The Municipal Council as on 2003 was elected in February, 2000 and is the authority of the Municipality for 5 years from the date of Election. Out of 36 Ward members there are 25 Male members and 11 Female members.
The area of the Municipality has increased from 7.98 sq. km in 1981 to about 15.11 sq. km in 1991 as per record and 17.01 sq.km as interpreted from satellite imageries. The municipal administrative area comprises 36 electoral wards. In the context of Perspective Planning, the zone is divided into 22 planning wards.
Future Vision of the Urban Zone:
“A growth point with increasing dominance of medium and small scale secondary sector activities using regional raw materials, To attain pollution free, congenial, serene Tenali Town with optimum vegetation and rendering responsible, accountable, incorruptible administration with strategic reforms”.
The paramount concern is poverty reduction through mutually cooperative and coordinated efforts of elected representatives, public servants, residents and other higher officials heading forward to halcyon days in “Andhra Paris”.
The Infrastructural developmental works includes:
a. New roads, construction of flyover, bridges and bypass roads to reduce the traffic problems.
b. Increasing water supply distribution pipeline network to provide better water facilities
c. Improvement in the drainage system and treatment plants.
d. Developing a clean and green zone, with the allocation of large parks and tourist spots.
e. Establishment of training and marketing centres for Industrial, cottage and handicrafts oriented products.
Towards this end, this perspective plan, as an elaborated version of a typical zonal development, will provide much needed impetus to accomplish the vision for the future of the zone.