Heritage tourism, while a significant driver of economic growth and cultural preservation, profoundly impacts urban socio-spatial patterns in India. These impacts are multifaceted, leading to both positive transformations and significant challenges for the existing urban fabric and its inhabitants.

One of the most visible impacts is gentrification and displacement. As heritage sites gain prominence, surrounding areas become attractive for commercial development, boutique hotels, cafes, and souvenir shops. This often leads to a sharp increase in property values and rents, making it unaffordable for original residents, particularly those from lower-income groups or traditional artisan communities, to remain. They are often forced to relocate to the city's periphery, altering the social composition and traditional character of the heritage zone.

Secondly, there is a commercialization and commodification of culture. Authentic local practices, crafts, and food are often repackaged and presented to tourists, sometimes losing their original meaning or becoming diluted. This can lead to a shift in local economies from traditional livelihoods to tourism-dependent services, making them vulnerable to fluctuations in tourist arrivals. The physical spaces themselves are often 'beautified' or 'restored' to cater to tourist aesthetics, sometimes at the expense of their lived reality for local communities.

Thirdly, heritage tourism influences urban infrastructure development and land use patterns. To accommodate tourists, cities invest in improved roads, public transport, sanitation, and hospitality infrastructure around heritage sites. While beneficial, this development is often uneven, prioritizing tourist zones over other parts of the city. Land use around heritage sites shifts from residential or mixed-use to commercial, creating 'tourist bubbles' that are distinct from the rest of the city and can lead to social segregation.

Fourthly, it impacts social stratification and interaction. The influx of tourists and tourism-related businesses can create new employment opportunities, but these are often low-wage and informal, leading to a service-oriented economy. Interactions between tourists and locals can be superficial, and sometimes lead to cultural clashes or a sense of alienation among residents who feel their spaces are being taken over. The presence of a large number of 'outsiders' can also alter local social dynamics and community cohesion.

Finally, heritage tourism can lead to over-tourism and environmental strain. Popular heritage sites often struggle with carrying capacity, leading to overcrowding, damage to historical structures, and increased waste generation. This puts immense pressure on urban resources and can degrade the very heritage that attracts tourists.

In conclusion, while heritage tourism can bring economic benefits and foster a sense of pride in cultural assets, its unmanaged growth can significantly disrupt urban socio-spatial patterns. It can lead to the displacement of communities, the commercialization of culture, uneven infrastructure development, and altered social dynamics. Sustainable heritage tourism requires careful planning that balances economic gains with the preservation of local communities, their livelihoods, and the authentic character of urban heritage spaces.