Effect on Migrants Due to Urbanization: A Study of Slum Area in New Delhi

Abstract

Agrarian structure has been the backbone of India's economy since time immemorial. However, present trends have been toward greater levels of industrialization ultimately causing urbanization. Urbanization refers to increase in the physical growth of the urban sectors due to the global urge of different nations to link itself to the processes of modernization, westernization and the sociological process of rationalization. Migration seems to be the 'push' factor, which has accelerated the process of urbanization that has resulted in changes in physical and social organizations of the migrants as well as spatial organization of the cities. The purpose of the study is to analyze the living conditions of the migrants in cities and to figure out their problems. The study is based on the materials obtained through survey and observation. The survey composed of personal interviews which were conducted in a slum area near Mukherjee Nagar, New Delhi. The study showed that urban centers become heavily populated with substandard housing and poor living conditions giving rise to land insecurity, unemployment and increase in crime. This situation often leads to decrease in proximity making survival problematic for the vast majority. Moreover, as the agnates of the family (male members) leave for the cities for better economic gains leaving behind their kin group, it has often led to disintegration of joint families in the rural areas. Imparting education and providing the opportunities in the vicinity of the village and making them aware of the various governmental policies can help promote their well-being.