Patna,(BiharTimes): Bihar is among the states which witnessed slow increase in its urban population between 2001 and 2011.

Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, in a written reply, informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that Himachal Pradesh witnessed only 0.20 per cent increase in urban population while Uttar Pradesh (0.50 per cent). Bihar(0.80 per cent), Assam (1.20 per cent), Rajasthan (1.50 per cent), Odisha (1.70 per cent) Jharkhand (1.80 per cent) and Maharashtra (2.80 per cent). Thus the growth in these states are below the national average.

All over India there is only 3.3% rise in urban population, that is, from 27.80 per cent in 2001 to 31.10 per cent in 2011.

Four southern states, Gujarat, Goa, Haryana, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura have led this growth in urbanization.

It increased by 21.70 per cent in Kerala, 6.10 per cent in undivided Andhra Pradesh, 4.70 per cent in Karnataka and 4.40 per cent in Tamil Nadu.

The increase in respect of Union Territories has been - Daman and Diu (39.00per cent), Lakshadweep (33.60 per cent), Dadra and Nagar-Haveli (23.80 per cent), Chandigarh (7.50), Delhi (4.30 per cent), Andaman and Nicobar Islands(5.10 per cent). Puducherry reported an increase of only 1.70 per cent.
According to the minister other states to have exceeded national average in urbanisation included Goa (22.40 per cent), Sikkim (14.10 per cent), Nagaland (10.70 per cent), Haryana(6.0 per cent), Gujarat (5.20 per cent), Uttarakhand (4.50 per cent), West Bengal (3.90 per cent) and Punjab (3.60 per cent).
However, the minister said that people living in urban areas have increased by over nine crore during this period.