DEFINITION AND TYPES
Rural-urban migration refers to population movement from villages to cities seeking better opportunities. Types include permanent, temporary, seasonal, and circular migration.
CAUSES OF MIGRATION
Push Factors
- Agricultural Distress: 2016-17 drought in Thanjavur district forced 40,000 farmers to migrate to Chennai construction sites
- Rural Unemployment: Sivaganga district’s declining handloom industry displaced 25,000 weavers to urban centers
- Social Issues: Dalit families from Dharmapuri migrating to escape caste violence, seeking anonymity in cities
Pull Factors
- Economic Opportunities: IT sector in Chennai attracted 3 lakh professionals; Coimbatore textile mills employ 50,000 rural migrants
- Better Infrastructure: Apollo Hospital Chennai draws patients from 200+ villages, creating service sector jobs
- Social Mobility: Madurai’s educational institutions like Thiagarajar College attract rural students becoming permanent residents
MIGRATION PATTERNS IN INDIA
- Inter-state Migration: Andhra Pradesh techies in Chennai IT corridor; 2 lakh Bihari workers in Tamil Nadu construction
- Intra-state Migration: Salem steel plant workers from surrounding 15 districts; Erode farmers moving to Tirupur garment units
- Seasonal Migration: Ramanathapuram fishermen working in Kochi ports during monsoon season
TAMIL NADU’S URBAN DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSFORMATION
Migration Trends
- Chennai Metropolitan Area: Population grew from 4.6 million (1991) to 8.9 million (2011)
- Coimbatore: Textile industry attracted migrants from Western Tamil Nadu districts
- Tirupur: Garment hub drawing workers from rural Kongu region
Demographic Impact
- Age Structure: Youthful urban population with 65% in working age group (15-59 years)
- Sex Ratio: Male-dominated migration created gender imbalances (Chennai: 946 females per 1000 males)
- Linguistic Diversity: Telugu, Hindi speakers increased in Chennai due to inter-state migration
CONSEQUENCES
Economic Impact
- Positive: IT exports from Chennai ₹45,000 crore (2022); Remittances support 60% households in Dindigul district
- Negative: Cauvery delta faces acute labor shortage during harvest; 15% agricultural land lies fallow in Nagapattinam
Social Consequences
- Urban Slums: Kannagi Nagar (Chennai) houses 1 lakh relocated slum dwellers; Ambattur slums accommodate textile workers
- Cultural Integration: T.Nagar hosts Marwari, Telugu communities; Sowcarpet maintains North Indian cultural identity
URBAN CHALLENGES
- Infrastructure Stress: Traffic congestion, water scarcity (Chennai Day Zero in 2019)
- Housing Crisis: Affordable housing shortage, proliferation of informal settlements
POLICY RESPONSES
- Tamil Nadu Urban Development Mission: ₹15,000 crore investment for urban infrastructure
- Slum Rehabilitation: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana implementation in major cities
- Skill Development: Tamil Nadu Skill Development Mission for migrant integration