Top 10 Metro Cities in India

India is the world’s largest democratic country, the seventh-largest country in the world, and the second-largest in terms of population. Metro Cities in India are very populous as well as contribute immensely to the Indian economy. The word Metropolitan is derived from Greek word metropolitanus which means citizen of a mother state. The five chosen Metropolitan city of India are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkatta, and Bengaluru. Over the years lot of people have moved to these metropolitan cities in search of job and better lifestyle and these cities are literally choking due to overcrowding and pollution. Since 2014, there are eight metros in India – Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune.

According to the 2011 census, there were 46 million-plus cities in India, with Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata having populations over 10 million. A metro city can be described as a densely populated city that is an economically and socially well-linked city with its suburban areas, suburbs, and exurbs. In a metro city, you will find densely populated urban core areas all around with the presence of proper administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law and enforcement. These type of cities usually have their own court systems, law enforcement, fire departments, sanitation services, and medical care centers.

The Census Commission of India defines Metropolitan cities as those Indian cities having a population of more than 4 million. Metropolitan cities in India according to the 74th Amendment to the Indian Constitution are cities which have a population of 10 Lakh or 1 Million or more, and comprise of one or more districts and two or more Municipalities or Panchayats or other contiguous areas. In a metro city, you will see more densely populated regions and better infrastructure, better services, and greater options, etc. and so better development and rapid city rush, than those compared to the other cities.

As per the Census of India 2011 definition of more than 4 million population, some of the major Metropolitan Cities in India are: Mumbai (more than 18 Million), Delhi (more than 16 Million), Kolkata (more than 14 Million), Chennai (more than 8.6 million), Bangalore (around 8.5 million), Hyderabad (around 7.6 million), Ahmedabad (around 6.3 million), Pune (around 5.05 million), and Surat (around 4.5 million).

Top 10 largest metropolitan cities in India are:

1. National Capital Region (NCR)

National Capital Region encompasses Delhi and several districts surrounding it from the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Delhi is the capital of India and a fusion of various art and culture. It has the population of 25,735,000. It is the largest commercial center of northern India. Delhi is the venue for several trade conventions and fairs held throughout the year. It is also the headquarters of several core government ministries and departments.

2. Mumbai

Mumbai is the financial hub of India, and home to Bombay Stock Exchange, and India’s cinema industry. Not only is it known for its Bollywood films but also for being the epicenter of several big businesses, startups, etc. Mumbai lies on the Konkan coast on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbor.

Also known as the city of that never sleeps – Mumbai is one of the wealthiest Indian metro cities. It has the population of 20,800,000 and is said to have highest number of millionaires and billionaires among all cities in India.

3. Kolkata

Kolkata earlier known as Calcutta is the capital of West Bengal and the central business and commercial hub of eastern India. It is an important bridge to the underdeveloped north-eastern states of India as well. The city is famous for Howrah bridge and ages old buildings, it has the population of 18,540,000

4. Chennai

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and home to many beautiful temples and citadels. Chennai is regarded as the Detroit of India. Chennai is the metro city where computer, automobiles, hardware, manufacturing , technology, textiles, leather goods and other industries coexist.

5. Bangalore

Bangalore has been dubbed as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ or the tech capital of India, due to the presence of lot of technology company in the state. Karnataka’s capital city is a well known IT hub and some of the world’s major It corporations operate out of the city. Apart from MNCs, Bangalore is also home to many startups and Indian tech companies.

6. Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the city of Nizams and Pearls and joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is also a major hub of the technology industry of the country. It have superior infrastructure including road, power, traffic, metro, safety, good quality of education, easily available talent pool and ease of doing business.

7. Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is an important economic and industrial hub for Gujarat and India. Apart from having good infrastructure it also have some prestigious higher educational institutes like the IIM-A for management, NID for designing, MICA for advertising and GNLU for law, among others.

8. Pune

Pune is also called as “Oxford of the East” due to the presence of various well – recognized educational institutions. It comes second in Maharashtra after Bombay as the largest city. At present, Pune is an emerging manufacturing and IT center with the 6th highest per capita income in India. It also has a large automotive industry

9. Kanpur

The Kanpur metropolitan area is located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh resting on the banks of river Ganga. It houses the famous Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur accommodates many other educational institutions.

10. Visakhapatam

The port city and industrial center of Andhra Pradesh have some of the most splendid beaches. The city coast have helped it to form its economy, industries like fishing, tourism, shipping, and mineral exports are major source of employment here.

People from small towns, often move to metro cities in search of better opportunities be it in studies or employment. Life is all about choices, some people prefer metro cities for economic opportunities. Life in metro cities is fast-paced, there is availability of good infrastructural facilities is what attracts people in large numbers, towards urban city life. But if money has served a purpose in your life and you wish to give a different end to your story, then a small town may just be the right place for you.