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Road Transport

India has the second-largest road network in the world, spanning about 63.73 lakh kilometers.

The road network includes different types of roads such as:

• National highways
• State highways
• District roads
• Rural roads

Road transport is very important in India, as it handles around 87% of passenger traffic.

It also manages over 60% of freight transport.

The Indian government allows 100% foreign direct investment in the roads and highways sector.

This creates a lot of opportunities for growth and development in this area.

Infrastructure and Impact on Road Transportation

• Road Network: India boasts the second-largest road network globally, covering approximately 63.73 lakh km. This network comprises various types of roads, including national highways, state highways, district roads, and rural roads. 
• National Highways: 1,44,634 km 
• State Highways: 1,86,908 km 
• Other Roads: 59,02,539 km 
• Road Transport Significance: Road transport is crucial in India, as it handles around 87% of the total passenger traffic and over 60% of freight. 
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): The Indian government allows 100% FDI in roads and highways under the automatic route. 
• Road Density: Road density, which measures the length of road per 1,000 sq. km of area, varies across the country. In fiscal year 2019, Chandigarh Union Territory had the highest road density in India, exceeding 22.6 thousand kilometers per one thousand square kilometers. Among states, Kerala ranked first with 6.7 thousand km per one thousand square kilometers. 

Classification of Road Transport in India 

1. National Highways: These roads make up only 2% of the total road network in India but carry over 40% of the traffic. They are built and maintained by the Central Government, specifically the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). 

• NH44: This is the longest highway in India, stretching from Srinagar in the north to Kanyakumari in the south.
• Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways: This project connects the major cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai with six-lane super highways.
• North-South and East-West Corridors: The North-South Corridor links Srinagar to Kanyakumari, while the East-West Corridor connects Silchar in Assam to Porbandar in Gujarat.
• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): This autonomous body, under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, was established in 1995 and is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of National Highways.
• Other Notable Highways: NH4 connects Bengaluru and Chennai, NH6 links Surat and Kolkata, and NH15 connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

2. State Highways: These roads link the state capital with various district headquarters and important towns within the state. They make up 4% of the total road length in India and are constructed and maintained by state governments.

3. District Roads: District roads serve as connecting links between District Headquarters and other important locations within the district. They account for 14% of the total road length in India and are maintained by the Zila Parishad (District Council).

4. Rural Roads: These roads provide essential links to rural areas and make up about 80% of the total road length in India. They are crucial for connecting remote villages and agricultural areas to larger towns and cities.

5. Border Road Organisation: Established in 1960, this organization works under the Ministry of Defence to improve strategically important roads along India's northern and northeastern borders. This initiative is vital for strengthening defence preparedness.

6. Bharatmala Pariyojana: This is a comprehensive program aimed at enhancing the efficiency of freight and passenger movement on highways. It includes the development of economic corridors, inter corridors, and feeder routes, as well as improvements in national corridor efficiency, border and international connectivity roads, coastal and port connectivity roads, green-field expressways, and completing remaining works from the National Highways Development Project (NHDP).

Conclusion 

India's extensive road network, which includes national highways, state highways, district roads, and rural roads, is crucial for its transportation infrastructure. This network enables the efficient movement of people and goods across the country. The government, through initiatives like the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and projects such as the Bharatmala Pariyojana, is dedicated to improving connectivity, fostering economic development, and enhancing national security. 

Indian Railways: Connecting Cultures for Freedom

Indian Railways serves as a crucial mode of land transport for bulky goods and passengers over long distances. The gauges used for railways vary across different countries and are broadly classified into: 

• Broad Gauge: More than 1.5 meters. 
• Standard Gauge: 1.44 meters. 
• Metre Gauge:. meter. 
• Smaller Gauge: Less than 1 meter. 

 Mahatma Gandhi acknowledged the role of Indian Railways in uniting people from diverse cultures, contributing significantly to India’s freedom struggle. 

Rail Transport Across Continents

Commuter Trains:

•  Commuter trains are widely used in various countries, including the U.K., U.S.A., Japan, and India. These trains play a vital role in daily transportation, carrying millions of passengers to and from work within cities. 

Europe’s Dense Rail Network:

•  Europe boasts one of the most dense rail networks globally, with major rail heads in cities such as London, Paris, Brussels, Milan, Berlin, and Warsaw. This extensive network facilitates efficient transportation across the continent. 

Underground Railways:

•  Underground railways are crucial for urban transport in cities like London and Paris, helping to alleviate surface congestion and providing a fast mode of transportation for commuters. 

Bharatmala Scheme

The Bharatmala scheme is an umbrella initiative aimed at developing state roads along coastal border areas, improving connectivity to non-major ports, and enhancing access to backward areas, religious sites, and tourist destinations. Key components of the scheme include: 

• Setu Bharatam Pariyojana: Focused on constructing approximately 1500 major bridges and 200 rail over bridges and rail under bridges. 
• District Headquarters Connectivity Scheme: Aims to develop around 9000 kilometers of newly declared National Highways to improve connectivity to district headquarters. 

Russia:

•  In Russia, railways play a dominant role in transportation, accounting for about 90 percent of the country’s total transport. The railway network is particularly dense in the western part of the country, especially west of the Urals mountains. 

North America:

•  North America is home to one of the most extensive rail networks in the world, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the global total. Rail transport is a vital component of the region’s infrastructure, facilitating the movement of goods and passengers across vast distances. 

Canada:

•  In Canada, railways are primarily in the public sector and are distributed across the country, including sparsely populated areas. The rail network plays a crucial role in connecting remote regions and supporting the transportation of goods, particularly natural resources. 

Konkan Railway

The Konkan Railway, completed in 1998, is one of the significant achievements of Indian Railways. Spanning 760 kilometers, this rail route connects Roha in Maharashtra to Mangalore in Karnataka. Known as an engineering marvel, the Konkan Railway crosses 146 rivers and streams, features nearly 2000 bridges, and includes 91 tunnels. Notably, it houses Asia’s largest tunnel, which is approximately 6.5 kilometers long. The project was a collaborative effort involving the states of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. 

South America:

• In South America, the rail network is most dense in the Pampas of Argentina and the coffee growing region of Brazil. Together, these regions account for 40 percent of South America’s total rail route length. 
• There is only one transcontinental rail route in South America, linking Buenos Aires (Argentina) with Valparaiso (Chile) across the Andes Mountains. This route passes through the Uspallata Pass, located at an altitude of 3,900 meters. 

Do You Know?

 The Indian Railways categorizes its tracks based on width into three categories: 

• Broad Gauge: The distance between rails is 1.676 meters, with a total length of 63,950 km as of 2019-20. 
• Metre Gauge: The distance between rails is 1 meter, with a total length of 2,402 km as of 2019-20. 
• Narrow Gauge: The distance between rails is either 0.762 meters or 0.610 meters, with a total length of 1,604 km as of 2019-20. 

Indian Railways: Connecting People, Progress, and Challenges 

World’s Longest and Largest Government Undertakings

 The Indian Railways network is one of the longest in the world and also the largest government undertaking in the country. It facilitates the movement of both freight and passengers and contributes to the growth of the economy. (Refer Figure) 

Genesis of Indian Railways:

•  It was first introduced in 1853, from Bombay to Thane (34 kms). It was introduced by the British with the intention to connect the hinterland to main urban centres. The motive was exploitation of resources, i.e. export of raw materials and import of British goods. 

Zonal Division:

• In India, the railway system has been divided into 16 zones. (Refer Figure) 

Indian Railways’ Ambitious Program:

• Indian Railways has launched an extensive programme to convert the metre and narrow gauges to broad gauge. Moreover, steam engines have been replaced by diesel and electric engines. This has increased the speed and the haulage capacity of the trains. 

Metro Rail:

• Metro Rail has revolutionised the urban transport system in India, making travel easier, safer and quicker. 

Influential Factors:

• The distribution pattern of the Railway network in the country has been largely influenced by physiographic, economic and administrative factors. 

The Northern Plains:

• With their vast level land, high population density and rich agricultural resources provided the most favourable condition for their growth. 

The Hilly Terrains:

• Of the peninsular region, railway tracks are laid through low hills, gaps or tunnels. The Himalayan mountainous regions too are unfavourable for the construction of Indian railway lines due to high relief, sparse population and lack of economic opportunities. 

Challenges Faced by Indian Railways

1. Theft and Damage: 

•  There are frequent incidents of theft and damage to railway property. This includes the stealing of valuable items and vandalism of railway assets, which poses a significant challenge to the Indian Railways. 

2. Delays Due to Chain Pulling

•  Passengers often pull the emergency chain unnecessarily, leading to delays in train schedules. This practice disrupts the timely operation of trains and causes inconvenience to other passengers. 

3. Ticket Issues

•  There are problems with passengers travelling without valid tickets. This issue not only affects revenue but also creates challenges in maintaining order and discipline among travelers. 

Trans-Continental Indian Railway Lines

Trans-continental railways stretch across a continent, connecting its two ends. These railways were built for both economic and political reasons. In India, several important trans-continental railway lines play a vital role in the country's connectivity and economy.

 

Here are some notable Trans-Continental Railway Lines in India:

1. Trans-Siberian Railway (Russia):

• This is a major rail route in Russia, running from St. Petersburg in the west to Vladivostok on the Pacific Coast in the east.
• The route passes through key cities such as Moscow, Ufa, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Chita, and Khabarovsk.
• It is the longest and most important trans-continental railway in the world, known for being double-tracked and electrified.
• The railway opened up the Asian region to European markets, crossing significant geographical features such as the Ural Mountains and the Ob and Yenisei rivers.
• Key cities along the route, like Chita and Irkutsk, serve as important agro and fur centers, respectively.
• The railway also has connecting links to southern regions, including Odessa (Ukraine), Baku (Azerbaijan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Ulan Bator (Mongolia), and Shenyang (China).

2. Trans-Canadian Railway:

• This railway line spans 7,050 km in Canada, connecting Halifax in the east to Vancouver on the Pacific Coast, passing through cities like Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Calgary.
• Constructed in 1886, it serves as the economic backbone of Canada, facilitating the export of goods such as wheat and meat.

3. Union and Pacific Railway:

• This railway line links New York on the Atlantic Coast to San Francisco on the Pacific Coast.
• It plays a crucial role in transporting valuable exports such as ores, grain, paper, chemicals, and machinery.

4. Australian Trans-Continental Railway:

• This railway runs west to east across the southern part of Australia, connecting Perth on the west coast to Sydney on the east coast.

5. Orient Express:

• The Orient Express operates from Paris to Istanbul, significantly reducing the journey time from London to Istanbul to 96 hours, compared to 10 days by sea.
• This route facilitates the export of various goods, including cheese, bacon, oats, wine, fruits, and machinery.

Pipelines

• Pipelines are used to transport liquids and gases such as water, petroleum, and natural gas for an uninterrupted flow.
• Pipelines are the most convenient and efficient mode of transporting liquids and gases over long distances.
• Even solids can also be transported by pipelines after converting them into slurry.
• In New Zealand, milk is being supplied through pipelines from farms to factories.
• About 17 percent of all freight per tonne-km is carried through pipelines in the U.S.A.
• In Europe, Russia, West Asia, and India, pipelines are used to connect oil wells to refineries and to ports or domestic markets.

Pipelines in India: OIL and GAIL Networks:

• Oil India Limited (OIL): OIL is under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and is involved in the exploration, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas. It was incorporated in 1959 and is responsible for Asia’s first cross-country pipeline, covering 1,157 km from the Naharkatiya oilfield in Assam to the Barauni refinery in Bihar. This pipeline was extended to Kanpur in 1966.
• Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL): GAIL was established in 1984 as a public sector undertaking to transport, process, and market natural gas for its economic use.

Pipeline Transport Network:

• The pipeline transport network is a new addition to India’s transportation system. It has made it possible to locate refineries far inland, such as in Barauni, Mathura, and Panipat, as well as gas-based fertilizer plants, which were only feasible due to the pipeline infrastructure.

The Economics of Pipeline Infrastructure:

• The initial cost of laying pipelines is high, but the subsequent running costs are minimal.
• Pipelines eliminate trans-shipment losses or delays, making them an efficient mode of transport.

Three Vital Networks in India:

• Assam to Kanpur: This network transports oil from upper Assam to Kanpur, passing through Guwahati, Barauni, and Allahabad.
• Salaya to Jalandhar: This network runs from Salaya in Gujarat to Jalandhar in Punjab, passing through Viramgam, Mathura, Delhi, and Sonipat.
• Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur (HVJ): This 1,700 km long cross-country gas pipeline, constructed by GAIL, connects the Mumbai High and Bassein gas fields to various fertilizer, power, and industrial complexes in western and northern India.

Civil Aviation

Civil aviation refers to all non-military and non-governmental aviation activities, including both civil and commercial flights. It is one of the two major categories of flight. Most countries are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which works to establish common standards and best practices for civil aviation.

• The Chicago Convention, established in 1944, requires signatory countries to create regulations for the safe and standardized use of airspace to ensure the safety, performance, and regularity of air transport.
• After World War II, commercial aviation expanded rapidly, often using former military pilots to transport people and cargo. Factories that once produced bombers quickly shifted to making passenger planes, such as the Douglas DC4. This growth was further facilitated by the availability of military airfields around the world, which were repurposed for civil aviation. The De Havilland Comet in the United Kingdom was the first commercial jet to enter service. 

Importance of Civil Aviation

• Civil aviation is crucial for global business as it provides the only high-speed transport network worldwide.
• It significantly contributes to economic growth, job creation, and promotes international trade and tourism.
• The aviation industry has a massive impact on employment, supporting a total of 65,544,440,000 jobs worldwide, with 10.2 million direct jobs.
• Airlines, air traffic control organizations, and airports directly employ about 3.5 million people, while the private aerospace sector, including manufacturing of aircraft, systems, and engines, employs 1.2 million people.
• Aviation provides reliable air transportation services that improve living standards by ensuring access to essential needs such as food, medical care, education, and safe communities.
• It is also the most efficient and safest mode of long-distance transportation.
• In many remote communities, aviation is often the only feasible means to deliver critical supplies and provide emergency humanitarian assistance during natural disasters, famines, and conflicts.
• Air transport is an essential service in remote and surrounding areas, offering vital connections that are otherwise unavailable.

Types of Civil Aviation

Civil aviation is divided into three main categories:

1. Commercial Air Transport: This includes regular and irregular passenger and freight flights. Commercial aviation is a part of civil aviation, but it specifically involves operating aircraft for a fee or rental.
2. Aerial Work: Aerial work involves using aircraft for various professional services such as agriculture, photography, surveying, and search and rescue. It refers to the operation of an aircraft for purposes like agricultural work, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, and advertising.
3. General Aviation: General Aviation includes all other civilian flights, whether private or commercial. This category encompasses activities such as corporate and business aviation, as well as recreational flying. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines General Aviation as the operation of all civil aviation aircraft that do not fall under commercial air transport or aviation services. For statistical purposes, ICAO uses a broader definition of aviation that includes aerial work.

Benefits Of Civil Aviation

• Development and Connectivity: Aviation plays a crucial role in the development of the modern world by connecting large cities and small communities through a network of airlines, airports, and air traffic control organizations. This connectivity is available 24 hours a day and is supported by increasingly sophisticated aircraft.
• Employment: Aviation is the world’s leading employer, supporting a total of 87.7 million jobs worldwide, with 11.3 million of these being direct jobs within the industry.
• Economic Contribution: Aviation enables $3.5 trillion in global GDP. If aviation were considered a country, it would rank as the 17th largest economy in the world, contributing significantly to employment and economic activity.
• Tourism and Global Connectivity: As a pioneer of tourism, aviation facilitates the travel of 58% of all foreign tourists to their destinations. Air travel allows people to explore new countries, relax on tropical beaches, foster business relationships, and visit friends and family. In an increasingly interconnected global economy, aviation serves as a vital link for people around the world.
• Impact of Covid-19:. report by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) in September 2021 highlighted the economic impact of Covid-19 on the aviation industry. The report estimated that 44.6 million jobs supported by aviation were at risk due to the pandemic, and $1.7 trillion in economic activity normally supported by aviation was at stake.

Conclusion

The World Bank reported a steadily increasing number of passengers carried globally each year, reaching a tentative high of 3.44 billion in 2015. Similarly, the number of departures for registered airlines worldwide also peaked in 2015, with nearly 33 million departures. In the United States, the total passenger miles in 2014, which is calculated by summing the product of air miles flown in each airport segment and the number of passengers carried in that segment, was 607,772 million miles.