Quantum leap in migrants from other states in next few decades,says study

“The total number of migrants coming from other states to the city will be 7,40,287 in 2021 and 22,98,264 in 2051,if the present trend continues. Intra-state migration to Pune city in 2021 will,however,be 67,453 people,which will come down to only 441 in 2051,” says Vijaya P Khairkar,reader in the geography department,in her paper ‘Migration,Quality of Life and Sustainable Development of Pune City’.

The decline in migration to Pune from other parts of Maharashtra,says the researcher who based her findings on past trends,is due to the fact that places like Nashik,Baramati and Aurangabad have been developing and providing employment to its people over the past few years. With the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) being set up in the rural parts of the state,migration from villages to Pune has also come down.

On the other hand,such schemes have not taken off in states like Bihar,Uttar Pradesh,Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka that face an acute job deficit,forcing people to migrate to other states,especially Maharashtra. The trend is likely to continue for many more years,says the study.

Khairkar,who specialises in migrant patterns and also had her earlier research ‘Migration and Social Economics of Pune City’,published by Diamond Publications in 2007,adds that the total migrants in Pune in 2021 will be 14,11,887 people,which in 2051 will go up to 27,21,447.

Giving credit to the city’s reputation of an infotech,manufacturing,services and educational hub,Khairkar says the largest phase of migration was seen from 1961-2001 wherein Maharashtra accounted for nearly two-thirds (73 per cent),of the total migrants,followed by Karnataka (6.37 per cent),Uttar Pradesh (3.21 per cent),Andhra Pradesh (2.58 per cent),Rajasthan (2.10 per cent) and Kerala (2.07 per cent). Of late,Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have emerged as the major contributors to Pune’s migrant population,and their volumes are increasing,she adds.

Vijaykumar Date,head of geography department,UoP,says the research shows the trend over the past years. “But an increase in migrants is bound to happen in an urban city that is growing and offering employment opportunities. Besides,Pune has a huge influx of students every year. While this phenomenon will not stop and should not be stopped either,the city planners need to seriously think of the increasing pressure on the city’s infrastructure,from traffic to water and from environment to jobs. They need to be prepared for it rather than be caught unawares,as the situation at present seems,” says Date.