Urban Expansion in 8 Indian Cities Doubles to 4,308 Sq Km Over 30 Years
Pune leads with a 332% urban expansion, followed by Bengaluru at 186%. Delhi NCR added the most area (400 sq km), while MMR saw the lowest growth at 43%.
Urban ExpansionReal EstateIndian CitiesUrbanisationInfrastructureReal Estate PuneSep 10, 2025
The analysis covers urban areas of Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR (Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Greater Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad), Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai MMR, and Pune. Square Yards defined the urban built-up footprint as the total land area within a city or settlement that is physically covered by human-made structures such as buildings. It represents the visible spatial extent of urbanisation, separating developed land from open or natural areas.
Pune recorded the highest rate of urban expansion at 332%, growing from 86 sq km in 1995 to 373 sq km in 2025 and adding 287 sq km of built-up area. This significant growth is attributed to the city's successful transition from a manufacturing base to a global hub for the IT and start-up sectors, the report said. Bengaluru's built-up area grew by 186%, the second-highest rate among the cities. Its footprint expanded from 174 sq km to 489 sq km, an increase of 315 sq km. This expansion has been fuelled by sustained growth in the technology sector and strategic infrastructure investments like the Namma Metro, it noted.
Chennai’s built-up footprint touched 467 sq km from 270 sq km, an increase of almost 137%. Ahmedabad's built-up area expanded by 102%, growing from 141 sq km in 1995 to 285 sq km in 2025, an increase of 144 sq km. This growth reflects the city's economic diversification from an industrial base to include finance, IT, and automotive sectors, with visionary projects like GIFT City acting as a key driver, the report titled 'Cities in Motion - Tracing 30 Years of Urban Expansion in Key Indian Cities', said.
Delhi NCR added the largest quantum of urban built-up land area at 400 sq km, resulting in a 71% increase from 567 sq km to a total of 967 sq km, the largest footprint among the cities. This development reflects its evolution into a polycentric economic region, supported by large-scale infrastructure projects connecting its various industrial, tech, and financial hubs, it said. Hyderabad's built-up area increased by 95%, growing from 267 sq km to 519 sq km.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region recorded a 43% expansion, the lowest among the eight cities, growing from 412 sq km to 588 sq km and adding 176 sq km, despite being the second most populous region in India. This figure reflects the region's high-density, vertical development model, where growth is managed through upward construction and major infrastructure projects designed to improve connectivity.
“The urban built-up footprint across the top-eight cities has doubled since 1995 to 4,308 sq km in 2025. And while metros continue to dominate, the real excitement is also in Tier 2 and 3 cities, where better infrastructure and capital flows are powering the next wave of growth,” said Tanuj Shori, CEO and founder, Square Yards.
India is stepping into the biggest urban transformation in its history. Around the world, cities drive more than 80% of GDP, and for India too, the journey to becoming a developed economy runs through its urban centres. By 2050, India will add more than 330 million people to its urban population, the equivalent of absorbing the entire population of the United States into its urban fabric. This unprecedented migration means close to 100 million new homes must be built, alongside massive investments in transit, infrastructure, and services, he added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city saw the highest rate of urban expansion?
Pune led with a 332% urban expansion, growing from 86 sq km in 1995 to 373 sq km in 2025.
What factors contributed to Pune's rapid urban growth?
Pune's growth is attributed to its successful transition from a manufacturing base to a global hub for the IT and start-up sectors.
How much did the urban built-up area in Delhi NCR increase?
Delhi NCR added the largest quantum of urban built-up land area at 400 sq km, resulting in a 71% increase from 567 sq km to a total of 967 sq km.
Why did MMR see the lowest urban expansion growth?
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region recorded a 43% expansion, the lowest among the eight cities, growing from 412 sq km to 588 sq km. This reflects the region's high-density, vertical development model.
What is the future outlook for urbanisation in India?
By 2050, India will add more than 330 million people to its urban population, requiring close to 100 million new homes and massive investments in transit, infrastructure, and services.
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