Bengaluru: That claustrophobic feeling!

Bengaluru: While many countries across the world on Monday observed World Population Day, it comes as a remainder of how rapid the population of Bengaluru is increasing. What is shocking is the fact that Bengaluru that extends to more than 800 sq kilometers of area is home to 15.75 percent of the total state population of 6.10 crore.

According to the Census of India report 2011 in just a decade the city has witnessed a whopping 63.88 percent of total number of households, while the percentage decadal change for Bengaluru district from the year 2001-2011 is 47.18 percent. It can be noted that the city now ranks 23rd in the world in terms of population. A study by IISc reveals that greater Bengaluru is among the fourth largest cities in India emitting greenhouse gas, where is the city heading towards?

According to the provisional population totals, Census of India report 2011, the city of Bengaluru in its 198 wards under the control of BBMP has a total population of 84, 25,970, with a population density of 11, 876 per square kilometer, making it rank 23rd largest city in the world in term of population — slightly lesser than New York city which is home to 85, 50,405 people (United States Census Bureau report 2015).

And among the districts within the State of Karnataka, Bengaluru as a district including the city (BBMP limits) and its outskirts such as Anekal has a total population of 96,21,551.

An official from the Directorate of Census Operations Government of Karnataka said that the city is witnessing growth in terms of population and its is evident from the decadal growth rate from 2001 to 2011.

“The city jurisdiction too has increased in the recent years from 100 wards to 198 and with additions of new city municipal corporations like Mahadevapura and many more,” an official said.

The Eight erstwhile Statutory Towns of 2001 Census are namely Byatarayanapura, Yelanka, Dasarahalli, Mahadevapura, Krishnarajapura, Patanagere, Bommanahalli and Kengeri were merged with Bengaluru city to form Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) after 2001 Census.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Census Operations Government of Karnataka the Census maintains only decadal growth rate and the 2011 census report shows that the percentage decadal change in population of Bengaluru district for year 2001-2011 is 47.18 percent. It has also witnessed a decadal growth of 63.88 per cent in the number of Households.

While the city has made it to the global list of populated cities in the world, it has become a major source of pollution causing cities in India reveals a research study. The report titled “Comparative analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from major cities of India” by Prof T V Ramachandra from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Sridevi Hari of Manipal University shows that greater Bengaluru is the fourth largest city in India after Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai in terms of CO2 emissions.

India is third biggest  greenhouse gas emitter contributing about 5.3% of the total global emissions.  The report reads, “Major cities in India are witnessing rapid urbanization. The quality of  air  in the major Indian cities which affects the climatic conditions as well as health of the community is a major environmental concern. Emissions levels depend on economic growth, which has increased  the consumption of energy.”  Meanwhile, the estimated population of Bengaluru is estimated to be more than a crore with a floating population of about 10 lakh. The city also has the highest number of vehicles in the state. As many as 61, 08, 936 vehicles have been registered as of March 2016.