Development disparities across urban localities of Maharashtra: a multilevel analysis

Rising urbanization and economic inequality are concomitant in India and varies by type of urban localities such as Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Census Towns. Studies on developmental disparities by type of urban localities are limited. Using data from 7229 wards of Maharashtra consisting of 2076 wards from Municipal Corporations, 4738 wards from Municipal Councils, and 278 wards from Census Towns, this study examined the variations in the level of development in the wards of urban Maharashtra. Principal component analysis was used to compute the development index using 19 selected variables. Descriptive statistics and multilevel analysis were used in the analyses. In the composite index of development, Cantonment Boards ranked first, followed by Municipal Corporations and Nagar Panchayats. The variations in the level of development were the highest among Municipal Councils (Mean − 0.69; SD = 2.92), followed by Nagar Panchayats (Mean 0.47; SD = 2.88), and Census Towns (Mean 0.05; SD = 2.34). Around 64% of the variability in the development was explained at the ward level in the multilevel analysis. The study found large variations in development within and between urban localities. It suggests multi-sectoral approach including allocating resources in urban localities based on the level of development and relative population size. Ward development needs to be prioritized to reduce the growing urban inequalities among all three urban localities.