The pattern of urbanization in Bihar| Urbanization in Bihar| Status of Urbanization in Bihar| Urban development problems in Bihar BPSC ~ Civil Services Self Study

What is urbanization?

Urbanization means the percentage of the population living in urban areas.

Urbanization also means shifting of rural population to the urban population by altering occupation from primary to secondary or tertiary sector.

For example,

if 30 percent of the total population is living in urban areas of the country then we say the country is 30 percent urbanized.

Status of Urbanization in Bihar:

As per the 2011 population census,

Bihar has the highest population density among the major states of India.
Among the states, Goa is the most urbanized state in India with an urban population of 62.2.
Himachal Pradesh is the least urbanized state in India with 10℅ of the urban population.
Bihar is the second least urbanized state in India with an 11.3℅ urban population.
The state of Bihar has 8.6 of the country's population while it only accounts for 3.1 of India's urban population.
The urbanization rate of Bihar is very slow, as it was 9.59 in 1981 and 11.3 in 2011, in 30 years urbanization only grew by about 1.7%.
While urbanization in India increased from 22.89% in 1981 to 31.2 in 2011, urbanization increased by about 8.3% in 30 years.
There is also the regional disparity in urbanization within Bihar, urbanization in Patna is 43.1% while in Banka is 3.5%.

Cause of low urbanization[ urban development problems] in Bihar:

The following are the major causes of the least urbanization in the state:

Primacy features of Bihar cities:

Bihar's urban development is characterized by primacy. For example,

The largest populous city of Bihar is Patna.
The second-largest city of Bihar is Gaya.
As per the 2011 population, the Population of Gaya is approximately one-fifth of Patna.
Due to primacy, the Patna region is pulling the major resources of the state and from surrounding regions. Therefore, very few resources remain for the urbanization of the other region.

Low level of Industrialization:

A large share of the population[ 75 to 77 %) of the state is still involved in primary activities.
The industrialization level in Bihar is around 20 % which is much lower than the national average[29.5]. There are no major industries in Bihar. Low urbanization leads to low economic opportunities in the urban centers [low urbanization low-income trap].
Bihar's urban center offers low economic opportunities as compared to other states, which is why rural-urban migration is not as much as in other states like Tamil Nadu.
In Bihar, urban growth is generally fertility-driven[ natural population growth], not rural-to-urban migration-driven.

No systematic plan for urbanization in the state:

Only Patna city has a systematic plan for urbanization, other cities of state do not have systematic plans for urbanization.

Low urban infrastructure and urban transport:

Basic infrastructure is very low compared to other states.
urban public transport in Bihar is nearly almost nill. Bihar's urban road transport network comprises 43 % of the total against 73 % of the national average.
many cities in Bihar such as Patna, Siwan, Bhagalpur, etc are facing water shortages due to lowering the groundwater table and water pollution.

Urban poor and slum:

Measures needed to overcome the urban development problems in Bihar:

Agro-based industries should be made to increase the economic opportunities in urban areas.
Systematic urbanization plans for the whole state are needed.
Systematic urbanization for city-specific plans is also needed with a focus on regional needs.
Need massive investment in Urban areas to develop urban infrastructure facilities and urban transport.
Sustainable development in cities needed to overcome some basic problems like water shortage due to lowering the groundwater table.
Lighthouse for all needs to be implemented.
Need to change the working environment of government for the safety of individual property in the state.

Try to solve the following questions:

Explain urban development problems in Bihar and suggest measures to overcome the same. ( 64th BPSC 2019)
Why Bihar continues to be one the least urbanized states of India. ( 66th BPSC)

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