LEVEL OF URBANISATION AND THEIR DISPARITIES IN MAHARASHTRA STATE

The one day has seen the birth of thousands of towns and cities, many of which have largely expanded during the last 50 years. Towns and cities have taken shape as centre of administrative and cultural significance through the centuries. As we can observe that the population in urban area is increasing too rapidly. Mostly people are moving to urban from rural area to have a more comfortable life, higher salary and better educational environment. At the moment, India is among the countries of low level of urbanization. Number of population residing in urban areas has increased from 2.58 crores in 1901 to 37.71 crores in 2011. India is the most populous countries in the world. Our country covers only 2.4 per cent of the land area of the world, whereas it is the home of more then 16.87 per cent of the world‟s population. Since the new economic policies were adopted in the country, Maharashtra has seen fast urban growth. Maharashtra has the highest level of urbanization in India at 45.23 per cent compared to 29.5 per cent as the all India average. Census data were used to study the nature and pattern of urbanization in India with special reference to the state of Maharashtra. Urbanization depends on the socio-economic system of the society and the rate of its development. Maharashtra state urban population growth is considered for the period 1901 to 2011. It has increased from 3217202 persons in 1901 to 50818259 persons in 2011. The highest urban population growth in the all census was 1961 i. e. 62.42 per cent, and Lowest urban population growth in the census 1911 i.e. 0.99 per cent. According to 2011 census, urban population was recorded 50818259 persons out of which male were 26704022 and female population were 24114237.