India, June 11 -- In a major push to revive grassroots democracy, the Maharashtra Urban Development Department on Tuesday issued a crucial notification kickstarting the ward formation process for municipal corporations across the state. The move sets the stage for long-pending civic elections in 29 urban bodies that have remained under administrative control in the absence of elected representatives.

Notably, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the richest civic body in India, will retain its existing structure of 227 single-member wards. While the state has opted for a four-member ward system in all other municipal corporations, Mumbai remains an exception. The BMC commissioner will oversee the ward formation process for the c...