Published 2023-04-27
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Copyright (c) 2023 European Journal of Geography
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Abstract
The present work has examined in geographic perspective metropolises in India that
constitute an important component of Indian urban system. There are fifty two metropolises
in India as per final totals of Census 2011. The study follows a systematic approach. The
urban areas in the country have added 91 million persons in the last decade in which 51.8
million persons that is 56.9 percent have been added by metropolitan cities alone. India at a
comparatively low level of urbanisation contains a fairly large proportion of population in its
metropolitan cities. In order to comprehend the trend in growth pattern three time periods
have been identified: British period (before 1951), post-Independence to initiation of
economic liberalisation (1951-1991) and post-liberalisation (1991-2011) period. Succinctly
put, nature of urbanisation has radically transformed from a selective growth of a few port
cities during the British rule to emergence of large number of metropolises doting the entire
length and breadth of country. The post-reform urbanisation in India is economy- driven, topheavy oriented towards larger cities. It is both an economic and administrative process. An
individual million city’s strong linkage with the regional and global economy seems to be the
determining factor of its growth/ spurt in their population. All this requires a massive
investment for providing infrastructure and other civic amenities in metropolises.