Mumbai . formerly Bombay, is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the mos tpopulous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million. Along with the neighbouring urban areas, including the cities of Navi Mumbai and Thane, it is one of the most populous urban regions in the world. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. In 2009, Mumbai was named an Alpha world city. It is also the wealthiest city in India, and has the highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia.
The seven islands that came to constitute Mumbai were home to communities of fishing colonies. For centuries, the islands were under the control of successive indigenous empires before being ceded to the Portuguese and subsequently to the British East India Company. During the mid-18th century, Mumbai was reshaped by the Hornby Vellard project, which undertook the reclamation of the area between the seven constituent islands from the sea. Completed by 1845, the project along with construction of major roads and railways transformed Bombay into a major seaport on the Arabian Sea. Economic and educational development characterised the city during the 19th century. It became a strong base for the Indian independence movement during the early 20th century. When India became independent in 1947, the city was incorporated into Bombay State. In 1960, following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, a new state of Maharashtra was created with Bombay as capital. The city was renamed Mumbai in 1996, the name being derived from the Koli goddess—Mumbadevi
The Essay on Mega Cities
Mega cities are large cities, with a population of at least 8 million people. The amount of Mega cities are rising, due to the fact that for the first time in human history more people live in Urban Areas then rural areas. By 2015 there will be 33 Mega cities and 27 of them are in the developing world. Some examples of Mega cities are : Mexico city, Mumbai (India), Bangkok, Cairo and manilla. ...
there is a saturation of people in Mumbai. The suburbs has a population density of 20,925 per sq km and island city 20,038. Little wonder then that the newest growth in population is in other areas. In contrast, Thane district has a population density of 1,157 people and Pune district 603, though Thane and Pune cities would have higher densities.
Employment and educational opportunities are the main attraction of urban centers. But hopes for a better life are often dashed as overpopulation puts a huge strain on cities’ infrastructures and their ability to provide basic necessities – like clean water and a decent place to live.
Many rural migrants who come to Mumbai fail to find adequate work, and therefore cannot afford decent housing. The World Bank says 54 per cent of Mumbai’s 15 million residents live in slums.
The problem of slums caused by migration is shared by India’s other two megacities, Delhi and Calcutta, as well as urban centers throughout the developing world. The problem is pressing, with the United Nations predicting half the world’s population is expected to be living in cities by next year.
The study summed up the trends of migration to Mumbai in 50 years. “Natural increase- the balance of births over deaths (61.08 per cent)- added to the population more than the migration (38.92 per cent) between 1991-2001. Second, while migration from Northern states remained heavy, it dipped from Gujarat and southern states”
