Rural to Urban Migration in India: A ‘pull’ or ‘push’ Syndrome—Evidence from Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums

Urban dynamics in developing region did not follow exactly the European model of industrialization-driven urbanization, where ‘pull’ factors were more significant. Relationship between urbanization and industrialization is weak for developing countries and it is dominated by the ‘push’ factors. This has led to ‘urbanization of poverty’. This study attempts to verify the cause of rural urban migration in India. It considers Dharavi as a case study to ascertain the exact cause of migration. It uses primary survey to assess what migrants perceive as the advantages/disadvantages of rural and urban areas and what has triggered the migration. Random sampling is used where the sample size of households will be decided on the basis of 90% confidence level and 10% confidence interval. In order to identify the difference across various groups based on occupation, education, income, place of migration, and social groupings one way ANOVA is used. Follows ethnographic approach, the study also presents case studies of some migrants. The study concludes with finding policies, tools, and approaches essential for smoothening rural-urban migration in India while minimising forced or undesirable migration.