CDP link - JnNURM

Preparation of City development Plan (CDP) for Meerut
in the state of Uttar Pradesh under JNNURM
City Development Plan
Final Report
During the decades 1951-61 and 1961-71, the population in the city grew by 23.14% and
26.08% respectively against the national growth rates of 26.14% and 38.23% during the
same periods. Between 1971 and 2001, there has been a rapid increase in population in
the city which exceeded over 58% in the 70s, when the population growth in Meerut
surpassed the national average. The growth of population in the city is presented in Table 3.3
Table 3.3: Population Growth
Year Population (Lakh) Average Annual Growth Rate (%)
1981
5.37 3.74 (1971-81)
1991 8.50 4.70 (1981-91)
2001 11.61 3.26 (1991-01)
2005 (Estimated) 13.20 3.03 (2001-05)
2011 (Projected)* 15.27 2.70 (2001-11)
* Semi-log graph method Source: Census 2001
The increase in population rate during the decade of 1991-2001 was 37.8%, which was
less than that of the previous two decades and a little more than the national average of
36.17%. It is evident from the above analysis that the population rate decreased steadily
in the recent years. The drop in population growth in Meerut can be attributed to the
development of new housing areas in several competing towns in the neighboring areas
which are indeed equipped with better and modern infrastructure facilities such as
NOIDA, Ghaziabad, Greater NOIDA and Gurgaon. Meerut on the other hand could not
continue the phase of infrastructure development started in late 60’s and 70’s.
The main reason for this phenomenon was the creation of numerous housing and
industrial development plans by various development authorities, development of
infrastructure facilities and the arrival of the green revolution in the agricultural sector in
several parts of the west Uttar Pradesh, which resulted in immigration of population from
the villages. Due to various administrative policies encouraging industrial development,
many industrial units were set-up which in turn created new employment opportunities
and increased the population.
In the Master Plan of National Capital Region 2001, it was foreseen that Meerut would be
developed as a regional centre where many administrative offices and economic activities
of Delhi would be shifted, thus encouraging the development of this city. In this context,
the development authorities established many infrastructure facilities and a large increase
in the population was foreseen but the failure to shift either the administrative offices or
the economic activities resulted in the disproportionate increase in population growth.
Composition of Growth
The main components of the composition of growth are Natural growth, In-migration and
Increase in population due to Jurisdictional changes. In-migration as highest contributor
to the population increase in Meerut city accounts for nearly 73% of total increase and
20% of total population during the last decade.
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