Intra State Infrastructural Disparity in Maharashtra

Abstract

Maharashtra is the economically leading state in the country. The state comprises 36 districts that are divided into six revenue divisions. There is a wide disparity in the state at the regional level and among the districts in terms of development. Infrastructure being the important accelerator of economic activities in any region is not balanced in the state. This paper highlights this intra state disparity considering nine broad infrastructural categories. The method of ranking analysis is used for this purpose. It is observed that Pune, Konkan, Nashik and Nagpur are the regions of comparatively good infrastructure development in state whereas Aurangabad and Amravati are the regions of comparatively low level of infrastructure development. At district level most of the districts are falling in the Pune, Konkan, Nashik and Nagpur region but there is a change in ranking position in various districts during 2010 to 2015. The widening gap in infrastructure development in resent past highlights the serious concern of governmental intervention in bridging the development gap in infrastructure and resultant inequalities.