As Dr. Marshall clearly noted: “The most effective economic fact of our time is the development of transport services, not manufacturing.” And this is true. 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 manufacturers to consumers. It also helps eliminate regional inequalities.
Transportation has gained great importance for the development of the economy, for rapid economic growth. Nowadays, transport is known as a symbol of civilization.
Railway 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 206,000 freight cars.
The British 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 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 (ranked 4th in the world). It provides direct employment for almost 18 Lahs.
Advantages and features of railway transport
It’s also worth talking about them. Here is a list of the advantages of railway transport:
1. Agricultural development.
2. New sources and areas of production.
3. The growth of markets and specializations.
4. Assistance in domestic trade.
5. Labor mobility and capital.
6. Check for price fluctuations.
7. The elimination of hunger.
8. Employment.
9. Strategic importance.
10. Social significance.
Disadvantages of railways
Although the development of railways in India has been rapid, challenges remain to sustainable growth.
1. The poor condition of the rolling stock.
The main problem faced by Indian Railways is that the tracks are old. They cause many serious railway accidents. This also leads to speed limits.
2. Travel without tickets.
Another issue India is facing. A large number of passengers really travel without buying tickets! Some "hares" just sit on the roof and ride so.
Automobile transport
Near the 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 relate 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 connect the capital and cities of the state. State Govts are responsible for their content.
3. District roads:
They connect regional highways and production facilities. Their status is monitored by the district councils.
4. Village roads:
They connect villages with district roads. Panchayat (local government) build these roads.
5. Border roads:
They are built using the organization of the border road. This company built a highway with a length of 18,500 km.
Means of automobile transport
The two main means of road transport in India are:
1. Cowhide team.
This is the main mode of transport for Indian villages. According to F.P. Bhatia, in India there are about 1 million carts. They provide jobs, respectively, a million people.
2. Motor transport.
He appeared in India after 1913. For proper control over it, Law 1939 on vehicles was adopted. It is currently superseded by the 1988 Act. It was amended in 1994. Currently, there are 303 Lak vehicles, while in 1947 there were only two.
The benefits of road transport
1. Perhaps the expansion of agriculture. Public transport in India does not have this feature.
2. Production of perishable products.
3. Benefits for industries.
4. Employment.
5. Less investment.
6. Flexibility.
7. Save time and cost.
Automotive Issues
1. Bad roads.
They are practically unsuitable for driving in India. Per 100 square meters km in India, roads with a length of 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. Large 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, 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. However, in ancient times, shipping was one of the largest industries in India, known as the Queen of the Eastern Seas.
Types of Transport in India
1. Inland water.
He played a very important role in the Indian transport system since ancient times. Its length is 14544 km. The rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna are navigable. Organized freight transportation is limited to West Bengal, Assam and parts of the Northeast Region and Goa.
In 1945, the Central Commission on Irrigation and Energy was established to develop inland water transport. Later, in 1967, the Central Inland Water Transport Corporation was established, and in 1986 - the Inland Waterways Authority of India, which was a step forward and should help accelerate development.
2. Coastal transport.
India has a long coastline of 7516 km, with 11 large and 139 small working ports and a vast territory. Despite its importance (it is the cheapest and most energy-efficient mode of transport), there has been a sharp reduction in coastal shipping operations. The number of vessels decreased from 97 in 1961 to 56 in 1980, and gross tonnage decreased from 3.1 lah to 2.5 lah over the same period. In 1995-96, he grew to 6.3 lah.
After independence, seven major ports were built at Kandla in Gujarat, Khaldu near Calcutta, Nava Sheva in Mumbai, Paradip in Orissa, and Karnataka in Goa. Major ports are being upgraded, expanded and refitted. India currently has 450 vessels, including tankers, liners and freight carriers.
3. Ocean transport.
India created a fleet from scratch. In 1951, 24 Indian vessels were developed with a total value of 0.17 million. The number of fleets at the end of December 1994 was 438 vessels at 6.3 million. In 1993-1994, the volume of foreign trade amounted to 122.3 million tons, which is 34% of the total volume of sea cargo.
Advantages of Water Transport
1. Important for foreign trade.
2. Protection of 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 free gifts of nature. Accordingly, the operational area remains fixed. Unlike railways and roads, a person cannot build waterways.
2. Slow speed.
The failure of the monsoons leads to a drop in water levels in rivers that make navigation difficult.
3. Less security.
Everything is obvious here. The danger of flooding 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 be promising. At the moment, there are several dozen airlines in the country. The most popular is Air India, and it flies to 89 points of the world.
Air Transport Benefits
The following is a description of transport in India.
1. High speed.
2. Transportation of expensive and light goods.
3. The minimum cost.
4. Without geographical restrictions.
6. Strategic importance.
Disadvantages of Air Transport
1. High costs.
Air transport in India is becoming more expensive every day with increasing operating costs.
2. Refusal of cooperation of personnel.
Indian airlines face problems due to lack of cooperation on the part of workers, such as strikes by pilots, etc.
3. Outdated aircraft.
Aircraft technology is changing very quickly. Planes 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 not able to increase the number of aircraft and airports in the country.
5. There are no educational institutions.
The country does not have adequate means to train a large number of pilots. On the privatization of airlines, we again face the problem of a sufficient number of trained personnel.
6. Maximizing risks.
In air transport, the risks are increasing every day due to crime and terrorism, violence, theft, etc. throughout the world.