As Dr. Marshall so clearly put it, "The most efficient economic fact of our time is not the development of manufacturing, but transportation services." And that's right. Features of the development of transport in India are the basis of economic infrastructure. This helps in improving trade and industry.
Briefly about transport in India
Transportation eliminates interference and facilitates the movement of goods from producers to consumers. It also helps eliminate regional disparities.
Transportation has become of great importance for the development of the economy, for rapid economic growth. Today, transport is known as a symbol of civilization.
Rail transport
Rail transport in India is the most important form of transportation system. The first railway line was laid between Bombay and Thanh in 1853. After that, railway services developed even more. At the time of independence, the total length of the route was 53,596 km with 8,209 engines, 19,536 passenger carts and 206,000freight wagons.
Britishists have created an extensive network of railways. This was necessary in order to exercise and maintain tight control over the territory of India, as well as to open up for the country a source of food and raw materials for its industries.
Currently, the local railway is the largest enterprise in the country with a total investment of about Rs. This is the largest enterprise in Asia (ranks 4th in the world). It provides direct employment to almost 18 lahamas.
Advantages and features of railway transport
They are also worth talking about. Here is a list of the advantages of railway transport:
1. Agricultural development.
2. New sources and areas of production.
3. Growth of markets and specializations.
4. Assistance in domestic trade.
5. Mobility of labor and capital.
6. Checking for price fluctuations.
7. Eliminate hunger.
8. Employed.
9. Strategic value.
10. Social value.
Disadvantages of railways
Despite India's rapid development of railways, challenges remain in the way of sustainable growth.
1. Poor condition of rolling stock.
The main problem faced by Indian Railways is that the tracks are old. They cause many serious railway accidents. This also results in speed limits.
2. Travel withouttickets.
Another problem facing India. A large number of passengers really travel without buying tickets! Some "hares" just sit on the roof and drive like that.
Road transport
Along with railways, road transport plays a key role in the country's transport system.
Types of roads
Roads in India have been classified as follows:
1. National Automobile:
They refer to the main roads that connect the state, capitals, ports and big cities.
2. State Highways:
These are the main roads of the state. They link the capital and cities of the state. State Govts are responsible for their content.
3. District roads:
They connect district highways and production areas. Their condition is monitored by district councils.
4. Village roads:
They connect villages with district roads. Panchayats (local governments) are building these roads.
5. Border roads:
They were built with the help of the organization of the border road. This company has built an 18,500 km highway.
Means of road transport
The two main means of road transport in India are:
1. Bullock team.
This is the main form of transport in Indian villages. According to F. P. Bhatia, there are about 1 million carts in India. They providework, respectively, a million people.
2. Road transport.
He appeared in India after 1913. To properly control it, the Motor Vehicle Act 1939 was passed. It has now been superseded by the 1988 Act. It was amended in 1994. There are currently 303 Lak vehicles, compared to only two in 1947.
Advantages of road transport
1. Agricultural expansion is possible. Public transport in India does not have this feature.
2. Production of perishable products.
3. Benefits for industries.
4. Employed.
5. Less investment.
6. Flexibility.
7. Save time and costs.
Problems of road transport
1. Bad roads.
They are almost unsuitable for driving in India. For 100 sq. km in India, the road length is 34 km. For comparison, in Japan - 270 km. And in West Germany - with a length of 167 km in length per 100 square meters. km. The government should spend more on road development.
2. Big taxes.
Heavy tax burden on vehicles in India. For one vehicle in India, it is 3,500 rupees. In America - 860 in the same currency, and in the UK - 470.
3. No proper maintenance.
In India the roads are not properly maintained. Less than 0.1% of national income is spent on road maintenance in India, while in Japan it is 3% of national income.
Water transport
It is the cheapest way to travel both long and short distances. Water transport does not use the most expensive resources, as in the case of air transport. However, in ancient times, shipping was one of India's major industries, known as the Queen of the Eastern Seas.
Means of transport in India
1. Inland waterway.
He has played a very important role in the Indian transportation system since ancient times. Its length is 14544 km. The rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna are navigable. Organized shipping is limited to West Bengal, Assam and parts of the North East Region and Goa.
In 1945, the Central Commission for Irrigation and Energy was established to develop inland water transport. Later, the Central Inland Water Transport Corporation was established in 1967 and the Inland Waterways Authority of India was established in 1986, a step forward and should accelerate development.
2. Coastal transport.
India has a long coastline, 7516 km, with 11 major and 139 minor operating ports and a vast area. Despite its importance (being the cheapest and most energy efficient mode of transport), there has been a sharp decline in coastal shipping operations. The number of ships dropped from 97 in 1961 to 56 in 1980, and gross tonnage dropped from 3.1 lach to 2.5 lach over the same period. In 1995-96 it rose to 6.3 Lahs.
After independence were builtseven major ports at Kandla in Gujarat, Khaldu near Kolkata, Nava Sheva in Mumbai, Paradeep in Orissa, and Karnataka in Goa. Major ports are being upgraded, expanded and refurbished. India currently has 450 ships, including tankers, liners and cargo carriers.
3. Ocean transport.
India built a fleet from scratch. In 1951, 24 Indian ships were developed with a total cost of 0.17 million. The fleet at the end of December 1994 was 438 ships for 6.3 million. In 1993-1994, the volume of foreign trade amounted to 122.3 million tons, which is equal to 34% of the total volume of sea cargo.
Advantages of water transport
1. Important for foreign trade.
2. Protecting the country.
3. Cheap vehicle.
4. Transportation of heavy loads.
5. Useful during natural disasters.
6. Less maintenance costs.
Disadvantages of water transport
1. Limited area.
Rivers and oceans are nature's free gifts. Accordingly, the operating area remains fixed. Unlike railroads and highways, man cannot build waterways.
2. Slow speed.
The failure of the monsoons leads to a drop in the water level in the rivers, making navigation difficult.
3. Less security.
Everything is obvious here. The danger of sinking boats and ships is always great.
Air transport
He is the fastest in this country. And the development of transport in India in this area can bepromising. At the moment, there are several dozen airlines in the country. The most popular is Air India, and it flies to 89 destinations around the world.
Advantages of air transport
The following is a description of transport in India.
1. High speed.
2. Transportation of high-value and light goods.
3. Minimum cost.
4. No geographic restrictions.
6. Strategic value.
Disadvantages of air transport
1. High costs.
Air transport in India is getting more expensive every day with rising operating costs.
2. Uncooperative staff.
Indian airlines are facing problems due to lack of cooperation from workers, such as pilot strikes, etc.
3. Obsolete aircraft.
Aviation technology is changing very fast. Airplanes in India are outdated. They are no longer safe. Consequently, it is difficult for Indian airlines to compete with global airlines.
4. Significant investment.
The creation of aviation facilities requires huge investments. The government is unable to increase the number of aircraft and airports in the country.
5. No educational institutions.
The country does not have adequate facilities to train a large number of pilots. With the privatization of airlines, we again face the problem of a sufficient number of trained personnel.
6. Risk maximization.
On airtransport risks increase every day due to crime and terrorism, violence, theft, etc. around the world.
