Meerut Pincodes

History

The ancient city of Hastinapur, discovered at Vidura-ka-tila, linked to the Mahabharata’s Kauravas and Pandavas, lies 37 km north-east of Meerut. This site, previously submerged by Ganges floods, unveiled remnants through 1950–52 excavations. Meerut also hosts historic treasures: the Harappan settlement Alamgirpur and a crucial Indus Valley outpost. Once a hub of Buddhism during Ashoka’s reign, the city preserves remnants of Buddhist structures near Jama Masjid. The renowned 6th Ashoka Pillar, initially from Meerut, now rests in the British Museum; Firuz Shah Tughluq transferred it to Delhi, later restored post-damage in 1867, after an explosion in 1713.

Demography

As of the 2011 census, Meerut Urban Agglomeration (Meerut UA) housed about 1.42 million people, akin to Bahrain or Trinidad and Tobago’s population. Within this, the municipality accounted for roughly 1.31 million inhabitants. The UA encompasses Meerut Municipal Corporation, Meerut Cantonment Board, and four census towns. Ranking 33rd in urban population and 28th in city populace in India, Meerut UA exhibits a sex ratio of 887 (lower than the state’s 908) and a child sex ratio of 845 (below the state’s 899). Approximately 12.99% are under 6 years old. The literacy rate stands at 76.28%, surpassing the state’s average of 69.72%. Within the Municipal Corporation, 83.78% speak Hindi, while 15.25% speak Urdu as their primary language.

Geography

Meerut, second only to Delhi in the NCR, earns its moniker as India’s sports hub. Nestled amid the Ganges and Yamuna plains, Meerut district sprawls over 2,522 km2, surpassing Delhi’s expanse. Its humid subtropical climate delivers scorching summers from April to June, peaking at 49°C, followed by a monsoon from June to September. October sees a temperature uptick, leading to a mild, dry winter till March. The city experienced its lowest at −0.4°C in January 2013. With 845mm rainfall yearly, favoring agriculture, the monsoon dominates. Humidity fluctuates between 30% to 100%, shaping Meerut’s diverse weather tapestry.

Economy

Meerut stands as the 63rd fastest-growing urban area globally and the 14th in India’s rapid development landscape. Renowned for its vibrancy, a Morgan Stanley report in June 2011 placed it 5th on the vibrancy index, surpassing Delhi and Mumbai. While job creation remains a challenge, indicators spotlight immense urbanization potential and forthcoming employment prospects. Booming infrastructure, including projects like Expressways, Metro, and Freight corridors, characterizes Meerut’s current phase. The completion of the Upper Ganga Canal Expressway signifies ongoing development. Notably, Meerut’s ascent in the India City Competitiveness Index—from 45th in 2010 to 39th in 2012—reflects its escalating competitiveness.