Kochi, formerly known as Cochin (the colonial-era name), is a major port city located on the west coast of India by the Arabian Sea. Kochi is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala. Kochi is often called by the name Ernakulam, which refers to the western part of the mainland Kochi. The civic body that governs the city is the Corporation of Cochin, which was constituted in the year 1967, and the statutory body that over sees its development is the Greater Cochin Development Authority.The city of Kochi (pop. 601,574) is Kerala's second largest city and is part of an extended metropolitan region (pop. 1.35 million), which is the largest urban agglomeration in Kerala. Kochi city is also a part of Greater Cochin region and is classified as a B-1 grade city"Re-classification of cities/towns on the basis of 2001 Census – grant of House Rent Allowance(HRA) and Compensatory (City) Allowance(CCA) to Central Government employees". 2006. Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure. Government of India. 18 Nov. 2004 by the Government of India, making it the highest graded city in the state.

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