QUES . “Overcrowding leads to the chronic problem of shortage of housing in Indian cities”. Explain citing relevant examples.
HINTS:
Some facts with respect to growth of population in urban areas
India’s urban population of 377 million people or 31 per cent is expected to rise to 535 million or 38 per cent by 2026.
Urban India will house 654 million by 2031, an estimated 40 per cent of the country’s population.
The number of million plus cities in India went up from merely 16 in Census 1991 to 27 ten years later and to 45 in Census 2011.
The projections are, by 2031, nearly 600 million Indians will reside in urban areas – an increase of more than 200 million in just 20 years.
“Overcrowding leads to the chronic problem of shortage of housing in Indian cities”
Overcrowding is a chronic problem in many Indian cities, and it has led to a shortage of housing. The rapid urbanization in India has resulted in a significant increase in the number of people living in cities, and the demand for housing has far exceeded the supply. This has resulted in a number of issues, including slums, informal settlements, and a lack of affordable housing options.
One of the main causes of overcrowding in Indian cities is rural-urban migration. People from rural areas migrate to cities in search of better job opportunities and a higher standard of living. As a result, the population of Indian cities has increased rapidly, leading to a shortage of housing. For example, in Mumbai, the population density is estimated to be around 20,000 people per square kilometer, which is one of the highest in the world.
Another factor that has contributed to the shortage of housing in Indian cities is the high cost of land. As cities have expanded, the cost of land has increased significantly, making it difficult for developers to build affordable housing options. This has resulted in a situation where only the wealthy can afford to live in well-developed areas of the city, while the poor are forced to live in slums and informal settlements.
In addition to these factors, there are also regulatory challenges that have made it difficult to develop affordable housing options. Land-use regulations, building codes, and zoning laws have made it difficult for developers to build housing options that are affordable for middle and lower-income groups. This has led to a situation where many people in Indian cities are forced to live in informal settlements and slums that lack basic amenities like water, sanitation, and electricity.
In conclusion, overcrowding is a chronic problem in Indian cities, and it has led to a shortage of housing. Rural-urban migration, the high cost of land, and regulatory challenges have all contributed to this problem. The lack of affordable housing options has resulted in a situation where the poor are forced to live in slums and informal settlements, which lack basic amenities. It is important for policymakers to address these issues and work towards providing affordable housing options for all citizens.
