Uttar Pradesh: Transport Network | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

Infrastructure

• The development of service sector is sine–qua– non for high and sustained growth. It may be classified in terms of physical and social infrastructure. While the physical infrastructure mainly consists of road and transport, irrigation, power, telecommunication etc, social infrastructure comprises education, health and housing and financial infrastructure consists of banking and insurance. Physical infrastructure contributes to economic growth through generation of income and employment, lowering transaction cost; social infrastructure contributes to the process of growth through generation of human capabilities and capacity building by enriching the quality of human life made possible through better education, better health, improved housing and recreation facility.
• The state is well-connected to its nine neighboring states and other parts of India through 48 national highways. The length of national highways running through the state accounts for about 8.5 per cent of the total National Highway (NH) length in India. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) was established in 1972 to provide an economical, reliable and comfortable transport in the state of Uttar Pradesh with connecting services to adjoining states. Yamuna Expressway has six lanes and is 165-km long with controlled-access which connects Greater Noida with Agra. In the 2015-16 budget, state government announced plans to invest US$ 497.5 million for the construction of the Lucknow-Agra expressway. In order to expand the metro network in Ghaziabad, the state government has sanctioned US$ 304.91 million in the 2015-16 budgets.
• Uttar Pradesh has the biggest railway network in the country with a railway density of 40 km which is double the rail density of the India (20 km) per 1,000 sq km of area^. By the end of 2014-15, the state had the world’s largest railway network containing 115,000 km of tracks over a route of 65,000 km with 7,500 railway stations. Agriculture, cement, fertilizers, coal and manufacturing are the major sectors and industries served by the railways. Various parts of the state are catered to by five of the 17 railway zones in India. These are Northern Railways, North Eastern Railways, East Central Railways, North Central Railways and West Central Railways, the Northern and North Eastern Railways have Uttar Pradesh has the biggest railway network in the country with a railway density of 40 km which is double the rail density of the India (20 km) per 1,000 sq km of area^. By the end of 2014-15, the state had the world’s largest railway network containing 115,000 km of tracks over a route of 65,000 km with 7,500 railway stations. Agriculture, cement, fertilizers, coal and manufacturing are the major sectors and industries served by the railways. Various parts of the state are catered to by five of the 17 railway zones in India. These are Northern Railways, North Eastern Railways, East Central Railways, North Central Railways and West Central Railways, the Northern and North Eastern Railways have Lucknow as their main junction. Intra-state rail network is well developed, connecting the towns and the district headquarters of Uttar Pradesh. The Delhi Metro Rail links Noida and Ghaziabad with Delhi. A metro rail project connecting Agra, Kanpur and Varanasi is in progress under Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) to which an additional US$ 70.8 million was allocated in the budget for 2014-15.
• The state has six domestic airports, located at Agra, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow and Varanasi. International flights operate from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow, and Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi. The passenger traffic of Varanasi airport has increased from 826,282 in 2013-14 to 1,019,973 in 2014-15. For the same period, aircraft movement has increased from 8,040 to 8,801. The passenger traffic of Lucknow airport has increased from 2,312,291 in 2013-14 to 2,541,241 in 2014-15. For the same period, aircraft movement has increased from 19,682 to 19,749. Cargo handled by the Varanasi and Lucknow airports reached 662 tons and 4,860 tons respectively in 2014- 15.
• The installed power generation capacity in the state increased to 15,721.8 MW in 2014-15* from 9,246.7 MW in 2008-09. The state is in the process of implementing and testing the public–private partnership model in the power sector with an input-based franchisee system. Multiple power projects are being proposed in the state so as to enable effective utilization in the state. Dopaha (3x660MW) in the Sonebhadra district and Jawaharpur (2x660MW) in the Etah district are the key considerations for the projects and other thermal projects under construction are Bara, Karchana and Yamuna Expressway Power Projects. There are 10 hydro power generation plans being taken on at different places in Uttar Pradesh. As of 2014, a thermal power project of 2x250MW capacity has been proposed to set up at Gonda with an investment of US$ 500 million which is anticipated to be commissioned by end of 2016.Out of Sasan ultra mega power project’s 3,960 MW, 12.5 per cent has been installed in Uttar Pradesh till 2015. As per Budget 2015-16, the electricity generation capacity is aimed to be increased by 2,100 megawatt.
• The Uttar Pradesh circle has good telecom infrastructure, with all the major players providing services in the state. According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Uttar Pradesh has nearly 137.67 million wireless subscribers and 0.97 million wireline subscribers, with a tele-density of 59.3 per cent as of May 2015. The state has a huge postal circle (17,667 post offices) divided into six regions: Allahabad, Agra, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Kanpur and Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh had 2,451 telephone exchanges as of May 2015. IT major Samsung India is in a process of plant expansion and planned to spend US$ 96.0 million towards the expansion of its manufacturing unit in Noida.

Physical Resources

• Natural resources of Uttar Pradesh exhibit a great variety. The huge mountain ranges of the state forms the storehouse of a plethora of materials which cater the needs of a large number of industries. Flora and fauna of the state also have a rich diversity including numerous species. Three different varieties of forests are found in the state, which flourish in different climatic and geographical conditions. The fauna sheltered by them are also diverse. Apart form these, Uttar Pradesh also hosts different types of birds and aquatic species which further diversify the natural resources of the state.
• Mineral Resources of Uttar Pradesh  Limestone is found abundantly in the state, although its distribution differs from region to region. It is mainly found in Kajrahat region of Sonebhadra district and Guruma-Kanach- Bapuhari regions of Mirzapur district. Dolomite is found in Banda, Sonebhadra and Mirzapur districts of the state whereas glass-sand is found in Mau district, Karwi region of Banda district and Karchhana Tehsil of Allahabad district. Sonebhadra and Mirzapur are affluent with marble while Rajhgewan of Banda district is rich in bauxite. Bansi area of Mirzapur district is known for non-plastic fireclay and Lalitpur district for uranium. Apart from these major minerals, other ones found in minor amount includes salt punter, marang, pebbles and sandstone.
• Uttar Pradesh hosts a vast variety of flora. Its richness and diversity can be witnessed in the plains. However, the vegetation of distinct regions differs owing to the local climate and needs of the inhabiting people. Natural forests in the state are found in patches scattered in the plain lands. However in the mountainous and sub mountainous regions, extensive areas are under forest cover. The forest of the state can be broadly categorized into three divisions.
• The first division comprise tropical moist deciduous forests which are found in most of the regions of Terai with an average rainfall of about 100 to 150 centimetres and average temperature ranging from 26 to 27 degree Celsius. Considerable humidity is also required to support such type of vegetation. At higher elevations, deciduous trees of uneven size grow abundantly.Common vegetations found in lower areas are climbers, evergreen shrubs and bamboos. Other common species of this forest include Jamun, Amla, Dhak, Mahua Semal, Jhingal, Palas, Ber, Gular, Sal and others.
• The second category of forest is tropical dry deciduous forests which can be traced in plains including the eastern, western and central regions. Shrubs and herbs are found in abundance here. However, for cultivation, large areas have been cleared in this forest. Significant trees are Anjeer, Bel, Amaltas, Palas and Sal. In moist areas and along the river banks Tamarind, Babul, Jamun and Mango grow commonly.
• The dense and vast forest cover of Uttar Pradesh shelters a variety of fauna of the state. Apart from forest, avian and aquatic species are also high in number. Fishes of the state include Trout, Mirror Carp, Einghi, Eel, Cuchia, Mangur, Labi, Mirgal, Rohu, Hilsa and many more. Frogs and Toads are the common amphibians of the state while the reptiles enlist Crocodile, Dhaman, Krait, Tortoise, Cobra, Goh, Lizard, Bamania etc. Vast variety of mammals also inhabits in the state of Uttar Pradesh and includes Mouse, Buffalo, Cow, Mongoose, Porcupine, Squirrel and many more. Amongst birds the common species are Nightingale, Peacock, Vulture, Sparrow, Nilkanth, Parrot and Pigeon. Apart from these, many other varieties of fauna dwell in the state in distinct habitats and climatic conditions.