The following is constructed using today’s data in the world gazetteer.

 

Notes:

  1. Delhi metropolitan area (not listed above)  has a population of 18,639,762 encompasses the state of Delhi and parts of UP and Haryana.
  2. In the above Chandigarh is listed under Punjab mainly because there is more growth in the Punjab suburbs of Chandigarh. It is actually a centrally administered unit and capital of both Punjab and Haryana.

Considering the close relation between urbanization and other developmental indicators, Orissa must aim to have at least 5 metropolitan areas other than Bhubaneswar with population of 10 lakhs within the next 25 years.  Those are:

  • Rourkela-Kansbahal-Rajgangpur (within 5 years)
  • Berhampur-Chhatrapur-Hinjilicut (within 10 years)
  • Sambalpur-Jharsuguda-Belpahar-Brajarajnagar (within 10 years)
  • Baripada-Balasore (within 20 years)
  • Koraput-Jeypore-Sunabeda (within 25 years)