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The Square Yards report highlights that 2,136 sq km of urban land has been added since 1995, taking the combined built-up area across these metros to 4,308 sq km in 2025.
Mumbai MMR recorded the slowest expansion, at 43%, with its footprint growing to 588 sq km.
India’s top eight metropolitan regions have witnessed their urban built-up footprint double over the past three decades, according to a report by online real estate portal Square Yards. The study, ‘Cities in Motion, Tracing 30 Years of Urban Expansion in Key Indian Cities’, highlights that a total of 2,136 square km of urban land has been added since 1995, taking the combined built-up area across these metros to 4,308 square km in 2025.
The analysis covered Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai MMR and Pune, cities that represent the country’s largest real estate and economic hubs.
“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,” said Tanuj Shori, CEO & founder, Square Yards. “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.”
Shori added that while metros remain the focus of urban growth, Tier 2 and 3 cities are fast emerging as the next drivers, powered by improved infrastructure and rising capital flows.
City-Wise Growth Trends
Ahmedabad: Expanded by 102% from 141 square km in 1995 to 285 square km in 2025. The city’s diversification into finance, IT and automotive sectors, supported by projects like GIFT City, has fuelled growth.
Bengaluru: Recorded a 186% increase, rising from 174 sq. km. to 498 sq km, driven by its IT ecosystem and projects such as the Namma Metro.
Chennai: Expanded by 137%, growing from 197 sq km to 467 sq km. Economic diversity — spanning automotive, IT and medical tourism — underpins this rise.
Delhi NCR: Added the largest absolute footprint of 400 sq km, taking its built-up area to 967 sq km (a 71% increase). Large-scale infrastructure projects have supported its polycentric economic model.
Hyderabad: Grew 95% to 519 sq km, with technology and pharmaceutical sectors acting as catalysts.
Kolkata: Expanded 87% to 611 sq km, anchored by its IT hub role and planned township developments.
Mumbai MMR: Recorded the slowest expansion, at 43%, with its footprint growing to 588 square km. High-density vertical development and major connectivity projects define its growth model.
Pune: Saw the fastest expansion among metros, up 332% from 86 sq km to 373 sq km, powered by its transition from manufacturing to a global IT and start-up hub.
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h…Read More
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h… Read More
September 10, 2025, 17:34 IST
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