INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCE RESEARCH
IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY

This paper studies the socio-economic transformation of rural migrants who relocated to Navi Mumbai between 2011 and 2021. A sample of 192 individuals, drawn equally from eight administrative wards, formed the basis of this micro-level inquiry. Each respondent’s pre- and post-migration experiences were recorded through structured physical surveys, focusing on income, employment status, housing conditions, and access to basic urban services. Migration in most cases was initiated due to financial hardship, limited employment in rural areas, or aspirations tied to education and healthcare. While income levels improved modestly for many, most remained in low-paying, unregulated occupations lacking job security or welfare support. Living arrangements, though urban in setting, were often cramped, informal, and costly. Basic amenities such as potable water, electricity, and sanitation were accessed inconsistently, and heavily depended on informal networks rather than institutional systems. Educational qualifications had a statistically significant bearing on income improvement, but this varied across wards and occupations. The findings make it clear that relocation alone does not ensure upward mobility. Without systemic support, the urban experience for many migrants remains uncertain and economically fragile. The paper draws attention to the need for detailed field-based inquiry in urban planning. Migrants continue to remain structurally excluded from the economic benefits they help sustain.