Between 2001 and 2011, the number of census towns trebled from 1,362 to 3,894, making for nearly 30% of the total increase in the urban population during this period. In other words, rural-to-urban migration and the natural growth of urban hubs are not the only factors driving urbanization in India. In addition, the census towns have certain new economic activities: Para-transit and building construction are most important. India is the only country in the world that has such a three-tiered framework of prerequisites, each of which sets a fairly high benchmark for urban qualification. Census towns closer to metropolitan cities have different characteristics than those away from urban hubs.

Source: Mint January 09, 2017 18:13 UTC