The Pondicherry Municipality comprises the erstwhile Communes of Pondicherry and Mudaliarpet and its headquarters is in Pondicherry. The total number of wards is 42. The Municipal Council was dissolved on 31.03.1978 and a Special Officer has been appointed to exercise the powers and to perform the duties conferred and imposed upon the Municipal Council, including the Standing Committee and other Committees and that of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and other authorities other than the Commissioner.