60

CHAPTER - Ill

----------------------------------------------------------------
PATTERN OP URBANISATION

----------------------------------------------------------------

3.1 INTRODUCTION

3.1.1 The Process of urbanisation in a reaion ~ust be viewed

in the context of the nature and level of economic development.

The state of Andhra Pradesh reflects a low level of development

but its economic development seems to have progressed well in

seventies when compared to that in the precedina decade. The

state is also marked by sharp disparities in levels of develop-

ment with a larae number of backward districts.

In the present chapter. an analysis of the arowth of

urban centers by size classes and distri~ts/reaions over the

years in the state is presented. An attempt has been made in this

chapter to examine the influence of different aspects of economic

development on urban growth during seventies. Correlation coef-

ficients have been worked out between urban arowth and different

indicators of economic development at district level. For a

better understandina of the impact of industrial development on

urban arowth. the districts have been divided into the categories

backward and developed - and correlations worked out. The

density of urban centers at district level. the spatial distribu-

tion of fast arowina and staanating urban centers and new towns

and declassified towns have been examined.

 61
3.2 URBANISATION TRENDS SINCE 1901

3.2.1 The level of urbanisation in Andhra Pradesh (in

teras of percentage of urban to total population) has been less

than that in the country since 1901 except in 1951 (Table 3.1).

Only 9.65 per cent of population lived in towns in the state in

1901 as against 10.84 per cent in the country as a whole. In

1951, the country had 17.29 per cent of its population in urban

centers whereas 17.42 per cent of the population were urban in

the state. The proportion of urban to total population was 23.25

per cent in the state in 1981 which was only slightly less than

the national average of 23.73 per cent. On the whole the state

and the country are more or less at par in terms of the level of

urbanisation.

3.2.1 Regarding the decadal variation of urban population,

Andhra Pradesh had recorded higher growth rate than the country

in all decades since 1901 except during 1911-21, 1951-61 and

1961-71 (Fig.3.1). The low growth of urban population during

1911-21 in Andhra Pradesh and in India has been attributed to the

influenza epidemic in 1918 which claimed the lives of a larae

number of people all over the country. Inspite of that, there

was a slight increase in the percentage of urban population

during that decade which indicates that there might have been a

large scale migration of population from rural to urban areas.

The hiah growth rate of urban population during 1941-51

both in the state as well as the country was mainly due to loose
application of the census definition of town by which a large
number of overgrown villages were classified as towns. Besides
 TABLE 3.1

DECADAL VARIATION AND PERCENTAGE OF URBAN TO TOTAL POPULATION

IN ANDHRA PRADESH AND INDIA : 1901-81

Andhra Pradesh India

Year Decadel percent- Percentage of Decadel percent- Percent of

age variation urban to total _age variation Urban to total
population population

1901 9.65 10.84

1911 + 17.68 10.09 + 0.35 10.29

1921 + 1. 03 10.21 + 8.27 12.58

1931 + 2 3. 17 11.13 + 19. 12 11.99

1941 + 36.07 13.43 + 31 . 9 7 13.86

1951 + 47.86 17.42 + 41.43 17.29

1961 + 15.76 17. 4 4 + 2 6. 41 17.97

1971 + 33.92 19.31 + 38.23 19.90

1981 + 48.26 23.25 + 46.02 23.73

Source: Census of India, 1971, Andhra Pradesh, Part VI-A, Tovn Directory,
p.10 upto 1971.
 63

DECADAL GROWTH RATE OF URBAN

POPULATION IN ANDHRA PRADESH AND
\ N D I A : 19 01-19 81

50
/
/

/
/"' \
/ \
/
/
/
/
z 30 / "
0
/
~
<( /
/
ii /
~ /

w 20 /
/

~ /
/
$
z
w
u
a:: 10
w
Q.. Andhra Pradesh
India
0
1921-31 1931-41 1941-51 1951-61 1961-71 1971-Sl

DECADE

Fig 3.1
 64

this, the Second Uorld Uar and larae scale influx of refuaees due

to the partition of the countr¥ have contributed to the high

1
urban arowth durina 1941-51 .

The rural-urban miaration was also an important factor

behind the rapid urban arowth durina the forties. Out of the

total increase in urban population of about 18.3 millions (from

44.1 to 62.4 millions) during 1941-51, it has been estimated that

natural increase contributed about 5.8 millions, the net influx

of refuaees
about 2.5 millions and the rural-urban migration
2
about 10 millions .

In Andhra Pradesh, the definition of 'town' seems to

have been applied more arbitrarily in 1951 by which its percent-

aae increase in urban population during 1941-51 was much hiaher

(47.86 per cent) than that of the national average (41.33 per

cent). A riaorous definition of 'town' and its stricter applica-

tion in 1961 census resulted in the declassification of a large

number of towns and a sharp fall in the growth rate of urban

population in the country as well as the state. The decline in

urban growth rate from 47.86 to 15.76 per cent during 1941-51 to

1951-61 in the state is much steeper than the correspondin2

decline for all-India from 41.33 to 26.41 per cent. It has been
estimated that urban population in the country during 1951-61

would have arown at about 34 per cent during 1951-61 had the

1. Victor Petrov (1985): India-•potliaht on population A

Deaoaraphic Outline, Progress, Moscow, p. 206. Also see
Bose, Ashish.(1973) : p.54, op.cit.
2 . Quoted from various sources in Raj Bala (1986): Trends in
Urbani•ation in India: 1901-1981, Rawat, Jaipur, p. 80.
 65

the definition of 'urban' used in 1951 census been followed in

3
1961 as well However, there was no decline in the percentaae

of urban to total population in 1961 both in India and Andhra

Pradesh. Durina 1961-71, the urban arowth rate for Andhra Pra-

desh was 33.98 per cent which is double the rate of the earlier

decade. For country as a whole, the urban arowth rate has in-

creased to 38.23 per cent during 1961-71. The decade 1971-81 has

witnessed a phenomenal rate of urbanization in the country. The

state of Andhra Pradesh had recorded urban growth rate (48.26 per

cent) hiaher than that of the national averaae (46.02 per cent)

during the seventies.

3.2.2 The number of urban centres in the upper three cateao-

ries (class I, II and III) have been increasina in the state

while those in the lower three cateaories (class IV, V and VI)

have been declining (Table 3.2). Also, the proportion of urban

centres in the upper three categories to total urban centres has

increased from 17.18 to 58.98 per cent from 1951 to 1981. For

the country as a whole there has been an increase in the number

of towns in all size cateaories except in class V and VI from

1951 to 1981. The percentaae share of towns in the last two

categories has also been declining (Table 3.3). The increase in

the share of towns in the upper size categories and decline in

the lower size categories indicates that the towns in the lower

sizes might be growina rapidly and aettina promoted into higher

size classes.

3. Bose, Ashish. (1973):

~o,..,~, f. f.o .
 TABLE 3.2

NUMBER OF TOWNS IN EACH SIZE CLASS AND THEIR PERCENTAGE

TO TOTAL TOUNS - ANDHRA PRADESH : 1951-81

1951 1961 1971 1981

Size Class -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------·--
Per·centage
Number of Percentage Number of Percentage Number of Percentage Number of
toiJns to total toiJns to total toiJns to total tOIJnS to total
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class I 6 2.06 11 5.19 13 6.28 20 8.55

Class II 10 3.44 8 3.77 17 8. 21 30 12.82

Class III 34 11.68 50 24.06 59 28.50 88 3 7. 61

Claas IV 81 28.18 71 33.49 76 36.71 64 2 7. 3 5

Class v 114 39.86 70 33.02 38 18.36 28 11.97

Class VI 33 14.78 2 0.47 4 1.93 4 1.71

All Classes 278 100.00 212 100.00 207 100.00 234 100.00
 TABLE 3.3

NUMBER OF TOUNS IN EACH SIZE CLASS AND THEIR

PERCENTAGE TO TOTAL TOUNS-INDIA : 1951-81

1951 1961 1971 1981

Size Class Number of Percent- Number of Percent- Number of Percent- Number of Percent-
to\Jns age to to\Jns age to to\Jns age to towns age to
total total total total

(lr\SS 74 2.60 102 4.38 145 5.73 216 6.66

Cla!>s II 95 3.34 129 5.54 178 7.03 270 8.32

Class III 330 11.60 449 19.23 570 22.52 739 22.77

Class IV 621 21.84 732 31.41 847 33.46 1040 32.29

Class v 1146 40.30 739 31.72 641 25.33 742 22.87

Class VI 578 20.32 179 7.68 150 5.93 230 7.00

All Classes 2844 100.00 2330 100.00 2531 100.00 3245 100.00
----------------------------------------------------------~------------------------------------
Note : Figures for all-India exclude the states of Assam and Jammu & Kashmir.
 •
68

Lookina at the composition of urban population by

different size-classes, the share of cities (class I) has aone up

from 32.52 to 53.69 per cent in Andhra Pradesh and from 44.31 to

60.37 per cent in the country from 1951 to 1981 (Table 3.4). The

proportion of population of class II towns has also been slightly

increasina in the state while that of the lower categories has

been declinina. The percentaae distribution of urban population

by different size classes reflects the structure of urban arowth.

In Andhra Pradesh 8.55 per cent of urban centres (class I ) ac-

counted for about 54 per cent of total urban population whereas

in the country 6.66 per cent of urban centres (class I) accounted

for about 60.37 per cent of urban population in 1981. In Andhra

Pradesh the class II and class I I I towns toQether accounted for

slightly above 37 per cent in 1?81 while the comparative figure

for the country as a whole was only 26 per cent. The above

analysis thus reveals that the "top-heavy" nature of urban struc-

ture with a few large urban centres claiming a large share of

urban population at the apex with a weak base below is more

pronounced in the country.

This also indicates the hiQhly distorted nature of

urban settlement pattern due to "hypertrophy" of larae urban

centers in the country. This is the direct outcome of the colo-

nial policy of concentrating investments and administrative and

political power in a few large urban centres. It has also been

noticed that the pattern of urban and metropolitan development in

independent India has not been much different from that during
colonial times. The dualism in the economic structure of India,
wide inter-reaional disparities in levels of development, inade-
 TABLE 3.4

DISTRIBUTION OF URBAN POPULATION BY SIZE

CLASSES - ANDHRA PRADESH AND INDIA : 1951-81

Class
Total
Yeat' I I I III IV v VI

ANOHRA PRADESH 1951 32.52 12.75 16.73 20.31 15.38 2.31 100.00

1961 42.66 8.48 24.24 15.82 8.74 0.06 100.00

1971 48.36 13.35 20.92 13.41 3.78 0.18 100 .. 00

1981 53.69 16. 17 20.95 7.32 1. 75 0.12 100.00.

INDIA 1951 44.31 9.95 15.79 13.79 13.04 3.12 100.00

1961 50.77 11.00 17. 41 13.00 7.03 0.79 100.00

1971 26.21 11. 2 4 16.32 11.20 4.57 0.46 100.00

1981 60.37 11.65 14.35 9.52 3.61 0.50 100.00

------·----------------------------------------------------------------------------
states of Assam and Jammu & Kashmir.
Note F'igur-es for- all-India exclude the
 70

quacy of linkages between the urban and their surroundina rural

areas, dysfunctional developaent of urban centres and miscon-

ceived developmental strategies and policies of private and

public sectors etc. are considered to be some of the important

factors for such a hiahly distorted settlement system in the

4
country .

3.3 GROUTB RATE 8T SIZE CLASSES

3.3.1 The arowth rates of urban centres by size classes

have been arrived at by adopting "Continuous" method as against

"Instantaneous" method used in the census. The latter method

shows the chanaes in the population distribution by size classes

at each census irrespective of the chanaes in the number of

towns. In the continuous method the arowth rates are calculated

by keeping the urban centres in each category the same as in the

base year irrespective of their shifts in the terminal year.

Thus, the size classifications of 1961 and 1971 form the bases

for computing the arowth rates durina 1961-71 and 1971-81 respec-

tively. It must be ensured that no declassified town is excluded

from the analysis and that the (rural) population figures of all

such towns are added to the terminal year population while work-

ins out the growth rates. The growth rates computed by this

method are given in the Table 3.5. The class VI towns have been
excluded due to their small number and subsequent declassifica-
tion of many of them.

4. Alam,S.M.(1980):"Distortions in Settlement System of India",

Geoaraphical Review of India, Vol.42, No.4, pp. 305-22.
 TABLE 3.5
GROWTH RATES OF POPULATION IN URBAN CENTRES OF DIFFERENT SIZE CLASSES
IN THE BASE YEARS DURING 1961-71 AND 1971-81 IN ANDHRA PRADESH ANO IND~

-------------------~----------------------------------------------
Class All Classes

Decade I I I I I I IV v (I - V)

1961-71 41.38 19.90 34.52 27.66 28.15 34.43

ANDHRA PRADESH
1971-81 45.61 44.66 45.30 44.82 36.93 45.00
--~--------------------------------------------------------------
~ ~

1961-71 35.10 .31.86 30.31 29.38 30.19 32.51

INDIA
1971-81 40.62 37.59 38.37 N.A N.A N.A

Sout'ce: Figut'es for' India ar'e taken ft'om Kundu, A. (1983).

N.A Not Available

 72

3.3.2 It may be noticed from the Table that the growth rates

during 1971-81 are higher than those of the preceding decade for

all cateaories of urban centres in the state. The cities (class

I) have reaistered a very hiah arowth rate durina sixties as well

as seventies. The arowth rate for cities has been sianificantly

hiaher than all other size cateaories in the sixties. In seven-

ties, however, the growth rate of class III towns has almost

approached that of the cities. The growth rates of class II,III

and IV towns are sianificantly higher in seventies when compared

to sixties. The acceleration in the growth rate for class I I

towns is far higher than others during this period. However, the

class V towns have recorded a relatively lesser growth during

seventies. A similar trend has been observed at the all-India

level also but the acceleration in the growth rate was the high-

est in case of the cities with population between one to five

5
lakhs

5. J<undu, A. (1983): "Theories of ·city Size Distribution and

Indian Urban Structure -A Reappraisal", Econoaic and Polit-
ical Ueekly, Vol.18, No.31, pp. 1361-68.
 73

3.4 DISTRICT LEVEL URBAN SCENARIO

3. 4. 1 The arowth rate of urban population has increased in

6
almost all the districts from sixties to seventies in the state

(Table 3.6). The percentage of urban to total population in 1981

and the growth rate of urban population during seventies reveal

that the pattern of urbanisation is not uniform within the state.

The Krishna-Godavari delta region (comprising the delta districts

of Guntur, Krishna, East Godavari and Uest Godavari) and the

Visakhapatnam district are relatively urbanised with 20-30 per

cent of population living in urban centers in 1981 (Fig. 3.2 ).

The urban growth rate has been less than fifty per cent in the

four delta districts mentioned above and more than fifty per cent

in Visakhapatnam district. As discussed earlier, all these

districts are relatively highly developed in the state.

6. The decline of urban population (by -16.98 per cent) in

Nalgonda district during 1961-71 is due to a decline in the
population of Vijayapuri North during sixties. Vijayapuri
was classified as urban in 1961 with a population of 55,300.
It was divided into Vijayapuri North and Vijayapuri South in
1965 and the latter was transfered to Guntur district.
Therefore, Vijayapuri North recorded a negative growth rate
of -70.79 per cent during sixties. However, even the com-
bined population of both the towns comes only to 21,311 in
1971 and 25,883 in 1981 and the growth rate works out to be
-61.46 and -53.19 per cent during sixties and seventies
respectively. The main reason for such a drastic decline in
the population of Vijayapuri in the sixties is that o(
migration of thousands of construction labourers, along with
their families, following a near completion of the multi-
purpose Nagarjuna Sagar Project. If Vijayapuri town is
excluded, the urban growth rate of Nalgonda district would
have been +15.63 per cent during sixties and +126.86 per
cent during seventies.
 74

TABLE 3o6

LEVELS OF URBANIZATION AND URBAN GROUTH RATE

IN THE DISTRICTS OF ANDHRA PRADESH :1961-81

Name of the Percentaae of urban Population aro~th rate

District to total population

1961 - 71 1971 - 81
1961 1971 1981
Total Urban Total Urban

1 2 3 4 6 7 8

1o Srikakulam 8o 7t 9o24 11014 13o68 34 710 7 51

0 32o73

2o Vizianaaaram 13o87 16o02 14o00 31 710

3o Viaakhapatnam 18o03 25o39 31o58 18o45 48o15 23o76 52o93

4o Eaat Goaavari 18o54 19o23 22o20 17 97

0 22o78 19o90 38o47

5o Ueat Goaavari 15o87 17o71 20084 19o54 33097 20 330 41o60

6o Krishna 23o51 27o25 32o65 19o71 38o98 22.00 46 0 13

7o Guntur 20o83 24098 27o60 22o03 llo 63 20o48 33o08

8o Prakaoam 11 07
0 l4o20 14o65 29o27 27 97 0 64o05

9o Nellore 11o00 15o59 20o79 14o97 25o82 23.27 64o39

lOo Chittoor 11. 4 7 13o56 l6o82 19 011 39o12 21o14 50.23

11. Cuaaapah 13o20 14 18

0 19o41 17o43 26o32 22o22 67o32

12o Ananthapur 17 40
0 17o77 20o26 19o68 22.04 23078 41 0 12

13o Kurnool 19o23 20o30 24o52 26o05 22.28 21.30 46o51

l4o 11ahabubnaaar 10004 8o97 10092 21031 8072 26o63 54.12

15o Ranaareaay 24o00 Ho43 141055

16o Hyaerabaa 62o18 65o88 100o00 35o20 4 3. 4 3 33 16 0 33ol9

17o Meaak 7o73 8o51 11 84

0 18o53 31043 24o50 7 3. 18

18o Nizamabaa 14o51 15094 19028 28o92 40o64 27087 54o65

19o Aailabaa 15o49 15o92 19o34 27041 3lo14 27.15 54048

20o Karimnaaar 1o06 10o72 15o72 20o65 83.23 24.04 81096

21o Uaranaal 14o10 13o43 17026 20o38 15.42 23.01 58o08

22o Khama~am 12 14
0 l3o59 16079 29o46 53o91 27o38 57o45

230 Nalaonda 9o31 6o69 l1o39 16ol0 -16.98 2S.o4 112.93

ANDHRA PRADESH 17o44 19031 23025 20.60 33o8l 23 19 0 48.26

 75

ANDI-IRA PRADESI-1
LEVELS OF

URBANISATION

1 9 81

H Y DERAB'-\0

PERCENTAGE

• 25 and above

• 20-25

§ 1 5 - 20

D Le s s than 15

6l. 0 32 96

l<ms

Fig 3.2
 7£)

In Rayalaseema as a whole (comprising Cuddapah, Chi-

ttoor, Ananthapur and Kurnool districts), only about 20 per cent

of the population are in urban centres. Chittoor and Cuddapah

districts have recorded more than 50 per cent urban arowth rate

durina seventies. The urban scenario is totally different in

Telanaana region. Excluding Hyderabad and its surrounding Ran-

gareddy districts, in all the districts only about 10-20 per cent

of the population were urban in 1981 and also all these districts

have witnessed more than 54 per cent of urban growth during

seventies. The urban growth rate has been very high in the

districts ·of Rangareddy (141.55 per cent), Nalgonda (112.93 per

cent), Karimnagar (81.96 per cent), Medak (73.18 per cent) in

Telangana; Cuddapah (67.32 per cent) in Rayalaseema; and Nellore

(64.39 per cent) and Prakasam (64.05 per cent) in Coastal Andhra

during seventies in the state(Fig. 3.3).

At the regional level Coastal Andhra has recorded

higher urban growth rate (36.96 per cent) followed by Telangana

(35.61 per cent) and Rayalaseema (22.22 per cent) during sixties.

However, during seventiea Telanaana recorded higher urban growth

rate (52.83 per cent) followed by Rayalaseema (49.39 per cent)

and Coastal Andhra (43.85 per cent). The foregoing analysis at

district level thus suggests that along with backward districts

some of the relatively developed districts also have witnessed

7
high urban growth during seventies in the state .

7. At the all-India level also the highest urban growth during

1961-71 was recorded by Orissa and Madhya Pradesh, the two
poorest states of the country. These two states have wit-
nessed high growth rate during 1971-81, also with the addi-
tion of Haryana and Karnataka. See Kundu, A. (1987):
"Urbanisation and Organisation of Space - The Trends in the
Indian Economy and their Implications for Planning",. in
Alam, S.M. and Fatima Ali Khan (Eds.): Per•pectivee on
Urbanisation and ftiaration - India and USSR, Allied, New
Delhi, pp. 145-184.
 77

ANDI-IRA PRADESI-1
URBAN GROWTH RATE

{ Percentages )
1971-81

INDEX

•m
l

>< Jl 60 and above

>c )<

50 - 60
lll::
~

5'\.o ...4...
C'
><~

§ 40 - 50

·-· D L<?S s than 40

64 0 32 96

l<ms

Fig 3. 3
 78

3.4.2 Using the demographic statistics of 1961, for the towns

with a population 30,000 and above the state has been divided
8
into four regions :

1. The Hyderabad urban reaion comprisina all the districts

of Telangana;

2. The Vijayawada-Guntur urban reaion comprising the four

delta districts;

3. Visakhapatnam urban region comprising the Srikakulam

and Visakhapatnam districts; and

4. The Kurnool-Nellore urban reaion comprising the four

Rayalaseema districts and Nellore district.

In the light of the present analysis, it becomes obvious that

Hyderabad city has emerged as a highly urbanised pocket in a vast

underdeveloped reaion of Telangana. Uhile the Vijayawada-Guntur

urban region along with Visakhapatnam districts seems to have

emerged, there is no strong evidence ~f the emergence of the

Kurnool-Nellore urban region centered around any one or two major

urban centres.

Ryalaseema region has a more balanced and decentralised

urban settlement pattern when compared to Telangana and Coastal

Andhra. There is no large urban centre that can act as major

nodal point in this region. The presence of three large metro-

politan cities - Hyderabad in the north, Bangalore in the south-

west and Madras in the south - might be responsible for this

8. Alam, S.M. (1968): "A Note on the Realignment of the Urban

System of Andhra Pradesh", Quoted in Alam, S.M. and U. Khan
et al (1970): ftetropolitan Ryderabad and ite Reaion A
Strategy for Developaent, Asia, New Delhi, p. 6.
pattern in Rayalaseema. The largest urban center in the region,

Kurnool, had a population of only 206,661 in 1981. There are 14

urban centres with a population of 50,000 and above that account

for a substantial proportion of the region's urban population and

these are more or less evenly distributed.

3.5 URBAN GROVTH AND ECONOftiC DEVELOPftENT

3.5.1 A attempt has been made to investigate the impact of

economic development on urban growth during seventies in the

state. After a macro level analysis at district level for the

state as a whole, the districts have been grouped into the levels

of levels of development - developed and backward - and correla-

tiona worked out for a better understanding of the inter-rela-

tionships of urban growth (1971-81) with the indicators of indus-

trial development.

The correlations have been worked out between urban

growth (1971-81) and the following indicators at district level

for 1970s and 1980s reflecting different dimensions of develop-

ment:

I. Agricultural development

1. Agricultural output per hectare (Rs.)

2. Agricultural output per male agricultural worker

(Rs.)

3. Percentage of gross irrigated area to gross

cropped area.

4. Number of diesel engines and electric pumpsets per

thousand hectares of gross cropped area.

 80

5. Number of tractors per thousand hectares of arose

cropped area.

I I. Industrial development

6. Percentaae of male workers in non-household indus-

try to total male workers.

7. Per capita industrial output (Rs.)

8. Per capita value added by manufacture (Rs.)

III. Transport and Communications

9. Road length per thousand sq. km. of area (kms.)

10. Number of motor vehicles per thousand population

11. Number of post offices, telegraph offices and

telephone exchange per thousand population.

IV. Others

12. Percentage of urban to population

13. Percentage of literates to total population

3.5.2 The correlation coefficients of urban growth (1971-81)

with the above indicators for 1970s and 1980s are given in the

Table 3. 7. It is clear from the Table that all the indicators

of agricultural development except that of diesel engines and

electric pumpsets a~e negatively correlated with urban growth~

This indicates that a higher level of agricultural development

may discourage people in movina from rural to urban areas. The

positive correlation of the indicator of diesel engines and

electric pump sets may be explained in terms of urbanisation

promoting higher level of mechanisation in irrigation.

 8f

TABLE 3.7

CORRELATION COEFFICIENTS OF URBAN GROUTS (1971-81)

VITI SELECTED INDICATORS AT DISTRICT LEVEL
IN ANDRIA PRADESH POl 1970• 6 19808.
S.No. Indicator 1970s 1980s

1. Agricultural output per hectare (Rs.) -0.548 -0.384

2. Agricultural output per male

agricultural workers (Rs.) -0.450 -0.307

3. Percentage of gross irrigated area

to gross cropped area -0.368 -0.293

4. Number of diesel engines and electric

pumpsets per thousand hectares of
gross cropped area 0.377 0.323

5. Number of tractors per thousand

hectares of gross cropped area -0.233 -0.049

6. Percentage of male workers in

non-household manufacturing to total
male workers 0.221 0.259

7. Per capita industrial output (Rs.) 0.154 0.569

8. Per capita value added by

manufacture (Rs.) 0.251 0.687

9. Road length per hundred sq. kms.of

area (Kms.) -0.289 -0.211

10. Number of motor vehicles per

thousand population 0.206 0.014

11. Number of post offices, telegraph

offices and telephone exchanges per
thousand population -0.046 -0.048

12. Percentage of urban to total population 0.067 -0.150

13. Percentage of literates to total

population -0.201 -0.217

---------------------------------------------------------------
 82

All the three indicators of industrial development are

positively correlated with urban growth. The positive correla-

tion of the industrial output and value added with urban arowth

which was less sianificant in the seventies has become hiahly

sianificant in the eiahties. This indicates that the influence

of industrial development on urban growth has been only marainal

durina seventies in the state. It is the process of urban growth

during seventies which is responsible for a hiaher degree of

relationship between industrialisation and urbanisation in the

eighties. The rest of the indicators had no significant influ-

ence on urban growth.

3.5.3 To further investiaate the impact of industrial devel-

opment of seventies on the urban growth, the districts have been

arouped into two cateaories based on the composite index of 1970s

developed (with the value of composite index of 3 and above)

9
and backward (with composite index below 3) . Out of the 21 dis-

tricts that existed in 1971, 11 districts fell in the developed

category. They are Hyderabad, Medak, Krishna, Guntur, Uest

Godavari, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Kurnool, Nellore, Nizama-

bad and Prakasam. The remaining 10 districts which fell in the

backward cateaory are Cuddapah, Chittoor, Uarangal, Adilabad,

Ananthapur, Karimnagar, Nalsonda, Srikakulam, Khamman and Mahbub-

nagar. The correlations of urban growth (1971-81) with selected

indicators for the two categories of districts are given in the
Table 3.8.

9 See chapter II for a detailed discussion on the levels of

development in the state.
 83

TABLE 3.8

CORRELATION COEFFICIENTS OF URBAN GROUT& (1971-81)

UITB SBLBCTBD INDICATORS FOR DBVELOPBD AND
BACIUARD DISTRICTS IN ANDBRA PRADESH

S.No. Indicator Backward Developed

Districts (10) Districts (11)

1. Percentage of male 0.396 0.395

workers in non-household
manufacturina to total
male workers (1971

2. Per capita industrial

output (1973-74) -0.319 0.626

3 . Per capita value

added by manufacture
(1973-74) -0.361 0.702

4. Composite index of
1970s 0.000 0.560

The figures aiven in the Table indicate that industrial

development had influenced urban growth only in the developed

districts in Andhra Pradesh during seventies. The overall eco-

nomic development in 1970s (based on composite index) had also a

positive impact on the urban growth in these districts. On the

other hand, in the backward districts neither industrial develop-

ment nor overall economic development had any influence on urban

growth during seventies. Hence the hypothesis that the high

urban growth in the state during seventies has been caused due to
backwardness is established only when backward districts are
 84
10
taken into account The positive and similar levels of corre-

latlon of non-hous~hold workforce with urban growth during both

the cateaorles of districts may be explained in terms of the

employment in non-household sector havina a positive impact on

urban arowth. However, the level of industrial development is

better explained by the indicators of industrial output and value

added. Thus, the state of Andhra Pradesh presents a mixed see-

nario in which urban arowth during seventies has been caused by

economic development as well as backwardness.

10. Uhen the growth rates of industrial employment, industrial

output and value added from 1973-74 to 1982-83 are correlat-
ed with urban growth during 1971~81 for the two categories
of districts, the correlations work out as positive for both
the groups of districts. But the figures are significantly
higher in the backward districts because of higher growth
rates of the selected indicators. This is largely due to
low base of urban population as also industrial employment,
output and value added in the backward districts.
 85
3.6 SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF PAST GROUING AaD STAGNATING URBAN
CENTRES

3.6.1 To aet further insiahts into the spatial patterns of

urban arowth in Andhra Pradesh, urban centres with more than

fifty per cent arowth rate (considered fast arowina) and those

with less than ten per cent arowth rate (considered stagnating)

durina 1961-71 and 1971-81 have been analysed. There were 16

fast growing urban centers during 1961-71. A good number of

these towns are located in the backward districts of Rayalaseema

and Telangana regions. There are three towns each in Khammam and

Karimnagar districts, two each in Ananthpur and Chittor districts

while the remaining ones are scattered (Fig 3.4). The rapid

growth of Visakhapatnam might be due to massive industrialisation

programmes and Tirupati and Tirumala in Chittoor district due to

their educational and religious importance. The rapid growth of

other towns may be attributed to the rural-urban migration in

the backward districts.

There were 15 stagnating towns during 1961-71 which are

scattered over the districts of Telanaana and Coastal Andhra.

The two stagnating towns of Narsipatnam and Madugula are in close

proximity to the rapidly growina Visakhapatnam city and Kosigi

and Narayanpet are under the influence of metropolitan Hyderabad.

Kothagudem and Bellampalle are the old mining towns that have

been growing slowly since the minina·activities have been shifted

towards new mining centers like Mandamarri and Godavari Khani

which are growing very rapidly in Telanaana region.

 B6

ANDI-JRA PRADESI-1
URBAN CENTRES GROWl NG

BY MORE THAN r-1 F TY PER

INDEX

§ > 50 P<?r Cent

D < .
.
.
. 10 Per Cent

CLASS I
CLASS II

CLASS III

CLASS IV

64 0 32 CLASS V
96

Kms

Fig 3.4
 87

The situation is sianificantly different in the seven-

tiea when the nuaber of fast arowina urban centres has increased

to 62 and their spatial spread haa also increased sianificantly

(Fia. 3.5). There is a relativel~ hiah incidence of these cen-

ters in the adjacent areas of Adilabad-Karimnaaar districts,

Khaamam-Nalaonda districts, Prakasaa-Guntur districts and Cudda-

pah-Ananthapur districts. The concentration of these urban

centres may also be observed in nedak and nahabubnagar districte

which are on either side of Hyderabad aetropolitan city. The

whole of Telanaana along with four adjacent districts of Praka-

sam. Guntur, Krishna and Uest Godavari in Coastal Andhra appears

as a reaion of rapid urban growth in the state. Another area of

concentration of fast growina urban centres seems to be emerain&

in the south-western part of the state in Rayalaseema. There

were only nine stagnating towns in seventies-two each in Adila-

bad, Visakhpatnam and Srikakulam distric~s and one each in Anan-

thapur, Guntur and nedak districts. These urban centers are

highly scattered.

3.6.3 The percentage of fast arowina and stagnating urbon

centres· to total urban centres in different size classes in the

base years durina 1961-71 and 1971-81 in the state have been
worked out to get further insights into the nature o! urban

growth (Table 3.9). During 1961-71 about 7.55 per cent of urban

centers (16) have recorded a growth rate of more than fifty p~~

cent. However, in seventies as many as 62 urban centers (30

cent) were identified as fast growing including 25 centers which

recorded a growth rate of more than 70 per cent.
 ~ ~------------------------

.8 8

ANDI-IRA PRADESI-1
URBAN CENTRES GROWING
BY MORE THAN FIFTY PER
CENT AND LESS THAN TEN

PER CENT

1971-81

\NDEX

> 50 Per Cent

< 10 Pc:-rCent

CLASS 1
CLASS II
CLASS III
CLASS IV
CLASS V
CLASS VI
0 32 96
K ms

Fig 3.5
 TABLE 3.9

PERCENTAGE OF CITIES/TOUNS GROUING AT MORE THAN FIFTY AND

LESS THAN TEN PER CENT DURING 1961-71 AND 1971-81

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class

I II III IV V&VI Total

-----·--------------------------------~----------------------------------------------------
ANDHRA PRADESH a) 9.09 12.50 11.71 5.63 5.63 7.55
A
b) 46.15 41.18 33.90 30.26 14.29 30.00

a) 0 25.00 11. 7 6 4.23 5.63 7. 08

B
b) 0 0 1. 69 3.95 11.90 4.35

I NO I A* a) 22.55 14.17 12.93 11.56 12.66 12.95

A
b) 32.41 18.96 19.26 15.09 17.34 18.07

a) 4.90 5.83 6.92 7.70 11.25 8.62

B
b) 2.06 2. 2 9 5.69 6.79 11.00 7. 17
-·-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note a) 1961-71 b) 1971-81

A. With more than fifty percent grovth rate - fast growing.

B. With less than ten percent grovth rate - stagnatlna.

* The all-India figures are taken from Kundu, A.(1987):op.cit.,

p.162
* All-India figures exclude the states of Assam and Jammu &
Kashmir.
 90
The percentage of fast growing towns has increased

significantly in all the size categories in seventies as compared

to sixties and the increase in class I and class II categories is

relatively very high. The per cent of fast growing towns de~

clined with decrease in the size class during sixties and seven-

ties. The number of stagnating towns has declined from 15 (7. 08

per cent) in sixties to 9 (4.35 per cent) in the seventies.

Uhile there has been no stagnating town in class I category

during both the decades, no stagnating town is observed in seven-

ties in class II also. There is an increase in the percentage of

stagnating urban centres with decrease in the size class in the

seventies. A similar trend exists at the all-India level also.

The rapidly growing urban cent~es have increased from 13 per cent

in sixties to 18 per cent in ~eventies, the increase being sig-

nificant in class I centres f~om 22.55 to 32.41 per cent. The

staanatina centres declined from 9 to.7 per cent during this

Uhile the percentage of rapidly growing centres de-

l

creased, that of stagnating centres increased with the decrease

11
in the size classes

11. In a
.
study of declining and slow growing urban centres
during 1961-71. Narula obS.erves that only 15 per cent of the
cities (class I) have grown negatively or slowly, consider-
ing slow growth rate as l~ss than the natural growth rate of
population in urban areas. The corresponding figures for
class II, III, IV, V and ;VI are 15.30, 21.56, 29.02, 40.21
and 50.92 respectively, t~us clearly indicating a negative
relationship between the percentage of slow or negatively
growing urban centres and: the average size of the catego-
ries. For more details,; see Narula (1981): "Declining,
Slow Growing Urban Settlements - 1961-71" in Bhargava, G.
(Ed.): Urban Problea• and Policy Per•pectiv••· Abhinav, New
Delhi. ·
 91
The absence or decline of stagnatina urban centres in

class I and class II categories and a relatively high percentage

of fast arowina centres in the above two cateaories confirms the

existence and strengthening over time of "top-heavy" nature of

urban structure. It has been observed that the variation in

terms of averaae arowth performance of cities is reducing over

time which is considered as an evidence of "temporal stability in

the economic base of cities". The increase in disparity in the

growth rate of smaller size categories in the seventies is con-

sidered to be due to "weak and volatile" economic base of small

12
towns in India A town level study by Khan (1976) identifies

the following four factors as possible causes for slow growth,

stagnation or decline in the population of small and medium

13
towns

1. A high proportion of population dependina upon

agriculture either as cultivators or agricultural

labourers;

2. Preponderance of the unoraanised household indus

try sector in the economic structure of the town;

3. The low level ~f economic development of the

town's hinterland; and

4. Inferior location of the town vis-a-vis its own

hinterland as also other urban centers.

12. Kundu, A. (1983): loc.cit.

13. Khan,U. "Growth and Stagnation of Small and Medium size

Towns in Telangana- An Exploratory Enquiry", in Alam, S.M.
and V.V. Pokshishevsky.(Ed.) (1976): Urbaniaation in De-
velopina Countriea, Indo-Soviet Collaborative Voluae, Osma-
nia University, Hyderabad, p. 376.
 92

3.7 TOUN DENSITY AND ORGANISATION OF SPACE

3.7.1 Town density - defined as the number of urban centres

per·lOOO sq. kms. of area- is an indication of spatial distribu-

tion of urban centres. This index is less than one in Andhra

Pradesh in 1981 which is extremely low. Only eight districts

Medak and Karimnagar in Telangana and six others in Coastal

Andhra except Nellore, Prakasam and Visakhapatnam - have town

densities of more than one in 1981 (Table 3.10). Rangareddy and

Hyderabad districts together have a town density of 0.91. All

the remaining districts are characterised by low town densities

with many of them having figures below the state average of 0.85.

3.7.2 The high percentage of urban to rural population

(46.15) along with a low town density in Visakhapatnam district

(0.81) is because Visakhapatnam urban agglomeration alone ac-

counts for about 74.61 per cent of the total urban population of

the district. Hyderabad-Rangareddy and Uarangal districts also

have low town density and in these districts 96.51 and 84.60 per

cent of urban population are concentrated in class I urban cen-

tres of Hyderabad and Uarangal respectively. Nell ore, Cuddapah,

Kurnool and Nizamabad are the districts with low town densities

but with more than fifty per cent of their urban population in

their respective class I centres. The less urbanised districts

of Medak and Karimnagar in Telangana and Srikakulam and Viziana-

gram in Coastal Andhra have low percentage of urban to rural

population but their town densities are equal to one and above.
This is mainly due to the fact that a large number of towns
 TABLE 3.10

PERCENTAGE OF URBAN TO RURAL POPULATION AND TOUN DENSITY

IN ANDBRA PRADESH :1961-81

Name o£ the Percent: o£ urban t:o Urban c:ent:rea

Dlet:rlc:t: rural population per 1000 eq. kms.

1961 1971 1981 1961 1971 1981

2 3 4 6 7

1. Srikakulam 9.55 11. 9 3 12.88 1. 29 1. 64 1. 89

2. Vizianaaaram 19.08 1. 53

3. Visakhapat:na 22.00 28.08 4 6. 1 s 0.74 1. 09 0.81

4. East: Godavar 22.75 23.90 28.54 1. 29 1. 19 1. 48

5. Uest Godavar 18.87 21. 63 26.32 1. 29 1. 29 1. 4 2

6. Krishna 30.73 37.53 48.47 1. 49 1. 83 1 . 72

7. Guntur 26.31 33.36 38.11 1. 33 1. 41 1. 32

8. Prakasam 12.48 16.55 0.51 0.62

9. Nellore 12.36 18.75 26.25 0.44 0.54 0.61

10. Chlt:t:oor 12.96 15.46 20.21 0.86 0.82 0.86

11. Cuddapah 15.20 16.54 24.09 0.59 0.52 0.85

12. Anant:hapur 21.07 21.58 25.40 0. 7 3 0.56 0.58

13. Kurnool 23.80 25.49 32.49 0.67 0.53 0.62

14. l1ahabubnaaar 11. 16 9.89 12.26 0.76 0.60 0.69

15. Ranaareddy 31.57 1.94 2. 21 0.91

16. Hyderabad 164.38 194.07

17. 11edak 8.38 9.33 13.43 0.83 0.83 1. 03

18. Nizamabad 16.97 18.89 23.89 0.75 0.75 0.88

19. Adilabad 18. 33 18.97 23.98 0.61 0.68 0.74

2 0. Kar i amaaar 7.60 12.01 18.65 0.61 0.93 1. 02

21. Uaranaal 16. Ql 15.63 20.86 0.62 0.31 0. 31

22. Khammam 13.82 16.86 20. 18 O.JI 0.38 0.44

23. Nalaonda 10.26 7 .19 12.85 0.56 0.42 0. 7 0

ANDHRA PRADESH 21.12 24.00 30.28 0.81 0.81 0.85

 94
belong to the lower size cateaories in these districts.

The remainina districts are characterised by low level

of urbanisation, low per cent of urban to rural population and

low town densities. It is obvious from the foregoing analysis

that urban population in Andhra Pradesh is concentrated in a few

larae urban centers in many districts. The poor organisation of

urban centres in space and the problem of inadequate 'urban

support' to rural economy is prevalent in the state.

14
3.8 SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF DECLASSIFIED TOVHS AND NEU TOUNS
3. 8. 1 The rigorous and strict application of the definition

of town in 1961 led to the declassification of as many as 74

towns in the state. There were only two declassified towns in

Rayalaseema while all the remaining ones were reported from

Telangana and Coastal Andhra reaions (Fig.3.6). The four delta

districts in Coastal Andhra and Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar

and Nalgonda in Telangana accounted for nearly sixty five per

cent of the declassified towns i'n 1961. Of the 74 declassified,

12 were in class IV, 35 in class V and 267 in class VI cat ego-

ries in 1951. Only 10 new towns were identified in 1961, of

which five were in Krishna district alone.

3. 8. 2 Altoaether 37 towns were declassified in 1971 of which

6 belonged to class IV, 29 to class V and 2 to class VI cat ego-

ries of 1961 (Fig.3.7). There w~re only 7 declassified towns in

Coastal Andhra in 1971 as against 33 in 1961. This clearly

14. A settlement classified as 'urban' for the first time is

termed as 'new town'in the present analysis.
ANDHRA PRADESH
DECLASSIFIED TOWNS

and

NEW TOWNS

1 9 61

NEW

CLASS

CLASS

CLASS
II

III

IV
•e
•

0
CLASS

CLASS

DI:::CLASSIFIED
V

VI
•
64 0 32 96

Fig 3-6
 96

ANDI-IRA PRADESH
DECLASSIFIED TOWNS
and

NEW TOWNS

1 9 71

NEW DECLASSir-IED

CLASS In

CLASS IV

CLASS V

0 CLASS VI

64 0 32 96
Kms

Fig 3. 7
 97

indicates that the small urban centres in the underdeveloped re-

gions of Rayalaseema and Telangana are characterised by more

unstable economies than their counterparts in the relatively

developed districts of Coastal Andhra.

There were 40 new urban centres in 1971 of which 8 came

within the jurisdictions of four urban agglomerations in the

state. Of the remaining 32 new towns, 15 have emerged in Coastal

Andhra (6 in Visakhapatnam district alone), 4 in Rayalaseema and

13 in Telengana region. There is a slight concentration of these

towns in the bordering area of Srikakulam - Visak:hapatnam dis-

tricts and Adilabad - Karimnagar districts. Massive industriali-

sation programmes in case of the former and increasing mining

activities in the latter are the possible reasons. Rayalaseema

remained unfortunate in not having new urban centres.

3.8.3 In 1981, only one town was declassified while 32 new

urban centres emerged on the scene. Five among these new towns

fell within the Hyderabad urban agglomeration. Of the remaining

27 new towns, 6 are located in;Rayalaseema (5 in Cuddapah alone),

10 in Coastal Andhra (4 in Eas~ Godavari) and 13 in Telengana (4

in Nalgonda) regions (Fig. 3.8). Among the 27 new urban centres,

2 belonged to class Ill, 9 to .class IV 14, to class V and 2 to

class VI categories.

Decline in the number of declassified towns, emergence

of a sood number of new towns and rapid srowth of a larse number

of existing urban centres have contributed to the hish srowth of

urban population in the state ~urins seventies.

 -
98

ANDI-IRA PRADESH
DECLASSIFIED TOWNS
and

NEW

CLASS III

CLASS IV

CLASS V

CLASS VI

OCCLASSr-1 ED

0
I
CLASS IV
·'
I
0 32 96 I
Kms

Fig J. 8
3.9 CONCLUSION

I
3. 9.1 1
The proportion of urban to total population in the

state has been slightly less than that of the national averaae

since 1901 except in 1951. The definition of town was more

loosely applied in Andhra Pradesh in 1951 which resulted in a

very high urban growth during 1941-51. A stricter application of

it in 1961 led to the declassification of a larae number of towns

and a steeper decline in the arowth rate during 1965-61 than that

in the country as a whole. The state has recorded an urban

growth rate (48.26 per cent) higher than that in the country

(46.02 per cent) during seventies.

The number as well as proportion of urban centres in

class I, I I and III categories have been increasing and in lower

cateaories decreasing from 1951 to 1961 in the country and the

state. The cities (class I) account for a very high proportion

of urban population which reveals the top-heavy nature of urban

structure with a weak base below. The growth rates during 1971-

81 are higher than those in 1961-71 for all classes of urban

centres in the state. The cities have recorded a very high

growth rate during both the decades. However, the acceleration

in the growth rate from sixties to seventies is far higher in

class II towns.

3.9.2 All the districts in the state have experienced a

higher urban growth during seventies than that in the sixties.

The pattern of urbanisation, in terms of proportion of urban to

total population and urban growth rate, is not uniform within the
 }00

state. The relatively developed districts in the Krishna-

Godavari delta region and Visakhapatnam district in Coastal

Andhra are relatively urbanised in the state. The most backward

reaion of Telenaana has a low level of urbanisation. This region

has recorded a very high urban growth in the state durina seven-

ties followed by Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra. Rayalaseema

region has a more balanced and decentralised urban settlement

pattern when compared to the other two regions. /The rapid growth

of urban population has taken place in the backward districts as

well as some of the developed districts during seventies in the

state. Economic and industrial development influenced urban

growth during seventies only in the developed districts whereas

in the backward districts these factors did not cause urban

growth. Thus, there is a mixed,scenario of urban growth having

been influenced by economic development as well as backwardness

during seventies in Andhra Pradesh.

3.9.3 There were 16 fast growing and 15 stagnating urban

centres during 1961-71 in the state. The number of fast growing

centers has increased to 62 while that of stagnating towns de-

clined to 9 during 1971-81. The whole of Telengana region along,,

with Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna and Uest Godavari districts ap-

pears as a region of rapid urban growth. ~he percentage of fast

growing tovns has increased in all the size categories in seven-

ties as compared to sixties. The per cent of fast growing towns

declined with decrease in the size class during sixties as well

as seventies. The per cent of stagnating towns increased with

decrease in the size class during seventies.
 101
3.9.4 The state of Andhra Pradesh has a town density of less

than one in 1981 which indicates very low level of spatial dis-

tribution of urban centres. Many of the districts which have low

town densities have very high proportion of their urban popula-

tion in their class I urban centres. The less urbanised dis-

tricts like Medak, Karimnagar, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram have

town densities of one and above. This is because a large number

of towns in these districts belong to the lower size categories.

3.9.5 As many as 74 towns were declassified in 1961 in the

state. These were mostly in Telengana and Coastal Andhra re-

gions. Only 10 new towns were identified in that year. In 1971,

most of the declassified towns belonged to Telangana and Rayalas-

eema regions. However, Coastal Andhra has reported more of the

new towns in 1971. Only one town was declassified in 1981 while

32 new towns emerged on the urban scene in the state. Rapid

growth of a large number of existing urban centres and the emer-

gence of a good number of new towns have contributed to the high

growth of urban population in the state during seventies.