On an average, a Delhiite earns Rs. 2.01 lakh a year, owns more than two mobile phones, gets a supply of 49 gallons of water each day, and consumes over a case-and-a-half of liquor in a year. These are some of the interesting facts revealed by the Delhi Statistical Handbook-2013, which was released by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday.
Addressing the media, Ms. Dikshit said Delhi has emerged as the richest state in the country, with per capita income increasing by Rs. 27,397 compared with 2011-12. This, she said, reflects prosperity and sound economic situation in the Capital because of proactive economic policies of the Delhi Government.
The Capital's economic well-being is reflected in its mobile phone usage, with around 3.98 crore mobile phone connections as on December 31, 2012. However, this number is lower than the previous year. The number of mobile phone connections in 2010-11 was 3.88 crore, which increased by 37 lakh to reach 4.25 crore in 2011-12. In 2012-13, about 4.28 crore of telephone connections, including landline and wireless phones, were in operation in the Delhi service area of which 29.49 lakh were landline connections.
The report also revealed that around 2.55 crore cases of Indian-made foreign liquor, country liquor, and Indian beer together were consumed by Delhiites during 2012-13. There are 150 cinema theatres and multiplexes in the city, offering 514 average shows per day, with 1.07 lakh persons visiting theatres to watch movies every day.
While referring to the improved road infrastructure, Ms. Dikshit said the road length in 2013 is 33,198 km and around 3.36 lakh vehicles were registered during 2012-13. The number of vehicles on the road in 2011-12 was 74,38,155 which increased to 77,74,403 in 2012-13.
In times of rising fuel prices, the consumption of petrol has decreased from 8.07 lakh metric tonnes during 2009-10 to 7.87 lakh metric tonnes by 2012-13. Ms. Dikshit noted that it was quite heartening that the consumption of diesel, which was 10.98 lakh metric tonnes during 2009-10, came down to 10.37 lakh metric tonnes by 2012-13. The dependence on LPG is decreasing, with the expansion of PNG in the Capital. There were about 3.86 lakh PNG connection/consumers in the city during 2012-13.
The report also revealed the presence of nearly 44,000 beds across 940 hospitals, which she said, was an indication of expanding health infrastructure. Further, there are 227 maternity and child welfare centre, and 1,168 dispensaries that were functional in the city.
Despite the rising population, the literacy rate in Delhi has managed to keep pace at 86.20 per cent. East Delhi has the highest literacy rate at 89.30 per cent.
Brought out by the Delhi Government's Directorate of Economics and Statistics, the 38th issue of the handbook has 23 chapters, covering various socio-economic parameters of the city.
