With property rates hitting the stratosphere, the affluent South Mumbai area has likely witnessed a decline in residential population, while the suburbs have had a rise, according to Census officials. And ironically, the population of homeless people in southern part of the metropolis seems to have increased.

"It has been observed that primarily due to rising property rates, the residential population in South Mumbai has gown down. Whereas the residential population in suburbs has seen an increase of about 10-15 per cent," Census officials said on the condition of anonymity.