Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
the major programmes of the Plans have always been sectoral, with a regional
impact that was uncertain. The licensing system mentioned above in connection
with textiles merely meant that no regions could claim special attention or have
industries focused upon them. Special attention was given to providing industries
in some peripheral states, and Bangalore was a beneficiary, with an integrated
steel industry and help for its booming electronics industries. Because of the
wide range of new industries set up in India, and the licensing system, there was
scope for spreading industry to many new sites, and most states have enjoyed
industrial growth.
Instead of the three great cities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, dominant in
colonial times, there are now some 50 large cities with substantial industrial
development. Rather than textiles and food industries, which accounted for 70
per cent of manufacturing when Nehru set up the programme, there is a host of
large industries in cities all over the country ( Fig. 7.1 ). The primary
concentrations are well distributed, in the regions of Calcutta (jute, engineering),
Bombay-Poona (cotton textiles, engineering, chemicals, electronics),
Ahmadabad-Vadodara (cotton textiles, petrochemicals, iron and steel), Madurai-
Coimbatore-Bangalore (cotton textiles, electronics, electrics, aircraft, machine
tools) and Chotanagpur (the traditional heavy industry region, with iron and
steel, engineering, aluminium manufacturing and vehicles).
The central state played an important role in spreading industrial growth to all
parts; chemical industries were widely dispersed, with a slogan that called for a
fertilizer factory in every state of the union. Thus, although development is not
even, India could be regarded as having a geographically well-distributed
industrial development process, which may be said to be advantageous,
other things being equal. The heavy environmental and congestion costs of over-
centralization are reduced by the location of textile mills, for example,
throughout the country (although still with major concentrations in the cities of
Bombay, Ahmadabad, Madras and Calcutta). As the individual states have taken
over much of the industrialization process, advertising their own industrial
estates and competing for incoming firms, the spread of development is
increased by the political decentralization. In terms of achievement to date,
however, India has a dismal record.
One point might be made regarding the spatial effects of this striving for
equality, including spatial equality. Given the kind of industries supported by the
Indian state, such as steelmaking, it seems unlikely that a dispersed pattern of
investment would be advisable. Other industries too, such as those based on
human skills, are from evidence elsewhere highly concentrated, and dispersal
merely poses a barrier.
Agriculture
Throughout the industrialization process, agriculture could not be forgotten.
Apart from Gandhi's ideas for an idyllic Ruritania, it was necessary to support
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