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Transport & Communication

The use of transport and communication depends upon our need to move things from place of their availability to the place of their use.

1. Road Transport in India:

  • Overview:

    • India has one of the largest road networks globally, spanning 33.1 lakh km as of 2005.
    • 85% of passenger and 70% of freight traffic rely on roads, particularly suitable for shorter distances.
  • Historical Background:

    • Limited modern road transport in India pre-World War II.
    • The 'Nagpur Plan' in 1943 aimed at road development, but implementation challenges persisted.
    • Post-Independence, a twenty-year road plan (1961) was introduced for improvement.

2. Classification of Roads:

  • National Highways (NH):

    • Roads constructed and maintained by the Central Government.
    • Strategic importance for inter-state transport, defense movement, and connecting key locations.
    • Managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) since 1995.
    • NHs constitute only 2% of total road length but carry 40% of road traffic.
  • State Highways (SH):

    • Constructed and maintained by state governments.
    • Connect state capitals, district headquarters, and important towns.
    • Comprise 4% of the total road length.
  • District Roads:

    • Link District Headquarters with other significant nodes in the district.
    • Contribute to 14% of the total road length.
  • Rural Roads:

    • Vital for connecting rural areas.
    • Account for 80% of the total road length in India.
    • Density varies regionally based on terrain characteristics.
  • Other Roads:

    • Border Roads: Constructed by the Border Road Organization (BRO) for strategic and economic development, especially in challenging terrains.
    • International Highways: Foster harmonious relationships with neighboring countries, enhancing connectivity with India.

Border Road Organization (BRO)

  • Establishment:

    • Founded in May 1960 to accelerate economic development and enhance defense preparedness.
    • Focus on strategically important roads along the northern and northeastern boundaries.
  • Achievements:

    • Constructed over 40,450 km of roads by March 2005.
    • Notable projects include roads in high-altitude mountainous terrain like Chandigarh to Manali and Leh.
  • Responsibilities:

    • Multifaceted construction agency with tasks ranging from road construction to snow clearance in high-altitude areas.

4. Road Distribution in India:

  • Density Variation:

    • Uneven distribution with density varying from 10.48 km in Jammu and Kashmir to 387.24 km in Kerala.
    • National average density is 75.42 km.
    • Determinants: Nature of terrain and the level of economic development.
  • Factors Influencing Variation:

    • Construction ease and cost play a role; plains have higher density and better road quality compared to hilly and plateau areas.
    • Northern and major southern states have higher road density, while the Himalayan region, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have lower density.
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

NHAI has taken up some major projects in the country under different phases:
Golden Quadrilateral: It comprises construction of 5,846 km long 4/6 lane, high density traffic corridor, to connect India’s four big metro cities of Delhi-Mumbai Chennai-Kolkata. With the construction of Golden Quadrilateral, the time-distance and cost of movement among the mega cities of India will be considerably minimized.

North-South and East-West Corridors: North-South corridor aims at connecting Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and Kaniyakumari in Tamil Nadu (including Kochi-Salempur) with 4,076 km long road. The East-West Corridor has been planned to connect Silchar in Assam with the port town of Porbandar in Gujarat with 3,640 km of road length.

RAIL TRANSPORT

1. History and Overview of Indian Railways:

  • Inception:

    • Indian Railways originated in 1853 with a 34 km line from Bombay to Thane.
  • Scale and Importance:

    • Largest government undertaking in India.
    • Extensive network spanning 63,221 km.
  • Management Structure:

    • Divided into sixteen zones due to its immense size.
    • Centralized management system faces challenges due to the vast network.

2. Zone-wise Performance:

  • Railway Zones:

    • Sixteen zones established to manage and operate the railway network efficiently.
    • Each zone is responsible for a specific geographic area.
  • Table Data:

    • Zone-wise performance data provides insights into the operational aspects of Indian Railways.

3. Development of Railway Routes:

  • Colonial Era Connectivity:

    • Initial railway development focused on connecting areas around towns, raw material producing regions, plantations, hill stations, and cantonment towns during British colonial rule.
  • Post-Independence Expansion:

    • After Independence, railway routes extended to other areas, contributing to nationwide connectivity.
  • Significant Development - Konkan Railway:

    • Konkan Railway (1998):
      • 760 km track from Roha (Karnataka) to Mangalore.
      • Connects Mumbai and Mangalore along the western coast.
      • Remarkable engineering feat with 146 rivers, 2000 bridges, and 91 tunnels, including the longest tunnels in Asia (6.5 km).
      • Joint enterprise of Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra governments.

4. Regional Distribution of Railway Network:

  • Dense Areas:

    • Railways well-developed in areas around towns, raw material production zones, hill stations, and cantonment towns.
  • Sparse Areas:

    • Relatively less dense network in hill states, northeastern states, central parts of India, and Rajasthan.

5. Role of Railways in Mass Transportation:

  • Continued Significance:
    • Despite other modes of transportation, railways remain the primary means of mass transit in the country.

6. Rural Roads and Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana:

  • Special Impetus:
    • Rural roads received focus under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana.
    • Aim: Connect every village to a major town with an all-season motorable road.

NCERT Summary: Transport & Communication - 1 | Geography for UPSC CSE

WATER TRANSPORT

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1. Importance of Waterways:

  • Versatility:

    • Essential for both passenger and cargo traffic.
    • Particularly suitable for heavy and bulky materials.
    • Regarded as the cheapest means of transport.
  • Fuel Efficiency and Eco-friendliness:

    • Water transport is fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.

2. Types of Waterways:

  • Inland Waterways:

    • Traditional mode of transport predating railways.
    • Faced competition from road and rail.
    • Irrigation diversions affected navigability.
    • India has 14,500 km of navigable waterways, contributing about 1% to transportation.
    • Comprises rivers, canals, backwaters, creeks, etc.
    • Only 2,000 km out of 3,700 km of major rivers navigable, and 900 km out of 4,300 km of navigable canals are used.
  • Inland Waterways Authority:

    • Established in 1986 for the development, maintenance, and regulation of national waterways.
    • Three inland waterways declared as National Waterways (details in the table).
    • Ten other inland waterways identified for potential upgrades.
  • Significance of Kerala's Backwaters:

    • Backwaters (Kadal) in Kerala offer cheap transport and attract tourists.
    • Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Vallankali) held in Kerala's backwaters.
  • National Waterways:

    National WaterwayRoute
    NW-1Allahabad to Haldia (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system)
    NW-2Sadiya to Dhubri (Brahmaputra river)
    NW-3Kollam to Kottapuram (West Coast Canal, Champakara Canal, and Udyogmandal Canal)

3. Oceanic Waterways:

  • Geographical Overview:

    • India has a coastline of approximately 7,517 km, including islands.
    • Twelve major and 185 minor ports support oceanic routes.
  • Economic Significance:

    • Plays a vital role in India's economy, with 95% of foreign trade volume and 70% by value moving through ocean routes.
    • Facilitates transportation between islands and mainland.

AIR TRANSPORTATION

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Significance of Air Transport:

  • Speed and Efficiency:

    • Fastest means of movement, reducing travel time significantly.
    • Essential for a large country like India with diverse terrain and climatic conditions.
  • Distance Reduction:

    • Plays a crucial role in minimizing distances, enhancing connectivity.

2. Development and Management of Air Transport:

  • Historical Overview:

    • Initiated in 1911 with airmail operations between Allahabad and Naini.
    • Significant development post-Independence.
    • Airport Authority of India manages 126 airports, including international, domestic, and civil enclaves.
  • Corporations in Air Transport:

    • Nationalization led to the establishment of Air India and Indian Airlines.
    • Private companies have entered the sector, offering passenger services.

3. History of Indian Airlines:

  • Milestones:

    • 1911: Launch of air transport between Allahabad and Naini.
    • 1947: Major companies like Indian National Airways, Tata Sons Limited, Air Services of India, and Deccan Airways provided air transport.
    • 1951: Bharat Airways, Himalayan Aviation Limited, Airways India, and Kalinga Airlines joined services.
    • 1953: Nationalization led to the formation of two corporations - Air India International and Indian Airlines (now known as 'Indian').
  • Current Operations:

    • Air India: Offers international air services for passengers and cargo globally.
    • Domestic movement in 2005 involved 24.3 million passengers and 20 lakh metric tonnes of cargo.
    • Pawan Hans provides helicopter services in hilly areas and is popular among tourists in the northeastern sector.

4. Oil and Gas Pipelines:

  • Convenience and Efficiency:

    • Pipelines are efficient for transporting liquids, gases, and even solids converted into slurry over long distances.
  • Oil India Limited (OIL):

    • Engaged in exploration, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas.
    • Constructed Asia's first cross-country pipeline (1,157 km) from Naharkatiya oilfield in Assam to Barauni refinery in Bihar.
  • Recent Developments:

    • Extensive pipeline network in the western region (Ankleshwar-Koyali, Mumbai High-Koyali, Hazira-Vijapur-Jagdishpur).
    • Construction of a 1256 km pipeline from Salaya (Gujarat) to Mathura (U.P.).
    • Ongoing project: 660 km pipeline from Numaligarh to Siliguri.

5. Communication Networks:

  • Historical Evolution:

    • Evolution from drum beats, smoke signals, and fast runners to modern means like post office, telegraph, printing press, telephone, and satellites.
  • Modes of Communication:

    • Personal Communication System:
      • Internet stands out as the most effective and advanced means.
      • Facilitates direct contact through email, access to vast knowledge, and e-commerce.
      • Cost-effective and efficient access to information.

6. Indian Railways - Three Types based on Rail Breadth:

  • Broad Gauge:

    • Distance between two rails: 1.616 meters.
    • Total length in India is significant.
  • Meter Gauge:

    • Distance between two rails: One meter.
    • Accounts for 21.02% of the total length.
  • Narrow Gauge:

    • Distance between two rails: 0.762 meters or 0.610 meters.
    • Accounts for 4.49% of the total length.
The document NCERT Summary: Transport & Communication - 1 | Geography for UPSC CSE is a part of the UPSC Course Geography for UPSC CSE.
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FAQs on NCERT Summary: Transport & Communication - 1 - Geography for UPSC CSE

1. What are the different modes of transport mentioned in the article?
Ans. The different modes of transport mentioned in the article are roadways, railways, waterways, and airways. The article explains how each mode of transport is used for the movement of people and goods.
2. How are roads important for transportation?
Ans. Roads are important for transportation as they provide a convenient and flexible means of travel. They connect various places and allow for the movement of vehicles, making it easier for people and goods to reach their destinations. The article highlights the significance of roadways in the transport system.
3. What is the role of communication in transportation?
Ans. Communication plays a crucial role in transportation as it enables coordination and control of the movement of vehicles and goods. It helps in managing traffic, providing information to travelers, and ensuring the safety and efficiency of the transport system. The article explains the importance of communication in the context of transport.
4. How does the article explain the role of railways in transport?
Ans. The article explains that railways are an important mode of transport for both passengers and goods. It highlights their capacity to carry heavy loads over long distances, their energy efficiency, and their ability to connect different regions. The article provides a detailed explanation of the role of railways in the transport system.
5. What are the advantages of waterways as a mode of transport?
Ans. Waterways offer several advantages as a mode of transport. They are cost-effective, especially for carrying bulky goods, and have a high carrying capacity. They also provide access to remote areas and facilitate international trade. The article discusses the advantages of waterways in transportation.
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