Mains Practice Questions

Introduction:

Internal migration, the movement of people within a country's borders, has been a significant driver of social and urban transformation in India.

• This phenomenon has particularly impacted India's megacities - urban agglomerations with populations exceeding 10 million.
• ISFR-2021 says that India has five megacities: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

Body:

Impact on Social Structures:

• Demographic Shifts: Internal migration has significantly altered the demographic composition of India's megacities.
  • The influx of migrants, predominantly young males seeking employment, has skewed age and gender ratios.
  • Sex Ratio in Delhi is 868 which is below national average of 940 as per the last census, partly due to male-dominated migration patterns.
  • This imbalance has implications for social dynamics, marriage patterns, and even crime rates in urban areas.
• Cultural Diversity and Integration: Megacities have become melting pots of diverse cultures, languages, and traditions.
  • Mumbai, for example, has sizable populations from almost every Indian state, each bringing their unique cultural elements.
  • However, it has also presented challenges that occasionally led to cultural conflicts or the formation of linguistic or regional enclaves within cities.
• Evolving Family Structures: Migration has catalyzed a shift from traditional joint family systems to nuclear families in urban areas.
  • India had an average household size of 4.44 people in 2021.
  • Moreover, there's been a rise in single-person households and live-in relationships, particularly in megacities, challenging traditional social norms.
• Social Networks and Support Systems: Migrants often form new social networks in urban areas, often based on regional or linguistic affiliations.
  • For instance, the Marwari community in Kolkata have established strong networks that provide social and economic support to new migrants.
  • However, this urban migration has also led to the weakening of traditional support systems in rural areas, with many villages experiencing a 'brain drain' and a shortage of working-age individuals.

Impact on Urban Development:

• Housing Challenges: The rapid influx of migrants has put immense pressure on urban housing.
  • This has led to the proliferation of informal settlements and slums.
  • Dharavi is the largest slum in Mumbai, India, located on just over 2 square kilometers and home to over 1 million people.
• Infrastructure and Services Strain: Megacities struggle to provide adequate infrastructure and services for their growing populations.
  • Water scarcity, power shortages, and inadequate sanitation are common issues.
• Economic Landscape Transformation: Migrants have significantly contributed to the urban economy, particularly in the informal sector.
  • Around 90% of all employed persons in India are in the informal sector.
  • The gig economy has also grown, with platforms like Ola, Uber, and Swiggy providing employment opportunities for many migrants.
    • However, this has also raised concerns about job security and workers' rights.
• Urban Planning Challenges: The rapid and often unplanned growth of megacities has posed significant challenges for urban planners.
  • Cities have expanded haphazardly, leading to urban sprawl and environmental degradation.
  • Bengaluru, once known as the 'Garden City,' has lost a lot of its green cover.
• Public Health Implications: The dense populations in megacities, combined with inadequate sanitation and healthcare infrastructure, have created public health challenges.
  • The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted these issues, with slums becoming hotspots for virus transmission.
  • Moreover, air pollution in cities like Delhi has become a major health concern, with the city's air quality frequently reaching hazardous levels.

Conclusion

Internal migration has been a double-edged sword for India's megacities. Addressing challenges related to it requires better urban planning, inclusive policies, and improved data collection. Initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT, and the National Urban Livelihoods Mission aim to create resilient and inclusive cities, ensuring growth and opportunities for all.