Maharashtra third most urbanised state

The latest figures from the Census 2011 shows that shows that at 5.08crore Maharashtra, is now home to the highest number of people living in urban areas.
With an urban population of 45.23%, Maharashtra is third most urbanised among major states, behind Tamil Nadu (48.45%) and Kerala (47.72%).It was second most urbanised in 2001.


Urban population growth has accounted for 62.8% of total population growth in Maharashtra. While Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur and Pune are the most urbanised districts, Gadchiroli, Sindhudurg and Hingoli are the least urbanised.
At 82.91% the state may have recorded an impressive literacy rate, but many development experts may find the huge urban-rural divide between male -female literacy bothersome.
The report calls the extent of urbanisation, “an index of transformation from traditional to modern one,” and adds, “It is an established generalisation that an increase in urbanisation which boosts the secondary sector and reduces the dependence on primary sector is considered as a symbol of economic growth and development.”
In fact it welcomes this change saying, “Urbanisation is an integral part of economic development and any increase in it, is welcome. Most modern economic activity takes place in cities, and growth in productivity and income is easier in an urban context. Economics growth influences the urbanisation while urbanisation in turn affects the rate of economic growth.”
Highest percentage of urban population is found in two districts viz., Mumbai and Mumbai(suburban).
In keeping with the trend in past censuses, total literacy rate for state has risen to 82.91 % out of these 77.09 % found in rural and 89.84 % in urban area. Though the overall state gap between male and female literacy rate is nearly about 14%,butthis gap is 19 % in rural 9% in urban.
Dr Amita Bhide of the School of Habitat Studies, TISS told DNA, “This means that more and more people are being crammed into fewer urban centres increasing the density and congestion which will add to pressures on the already poor infrastructure.”