Lifelines of National Economy

Introduction

The development of a country depends on the production of goods and services and their movement over space.
Transport plays a key role in moving goods from supply locations to demand locations.
Transport, communication, and trade are complementary to each other and are prerequisites for local, national, and global trade.
India is well-linked with the rest of the world despite its vast size and diversity due to efficient transport and communication systems.
Transport is classified into three domains: Land, Water, and Air.

India has one of the largest road networks in the world (approx. 62.16 lakh km). Roadways have an edge over railways for several reasons:

Lower construction cost compared to railways.
Ability to traverse dissected and undulating topography and higher gradients (e.g., Himalayas).
Economical for transporting few people and smaller amounts of goods over short distances.
Provides door-to-door service, reducing loading/unloading costs.
Acts as a feeder to other modes of transport (links to railway stations, airports, and sea ports).

Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways: A major project linking Delhi-Kolkata-Chennai-Mumbai-Delhi by six-lane super highways. Includes North-South corridors (Srinagar to Kanniyakumari) and East-West corridors (Silchar to Porbandar). Implemented by NHAI.
National Highways: Primary road systems linking extreme parts of the country, maintained by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).
State Highways: Link state capitals with district headquarters, constructed and maintained by State Public Works Departments (PWD).
District Roads: Connect district headquarters with other places in the district, maintained by the Zila Parishad.
Other Roads: Rural roads linking villages to towns. Received impetus under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana to provide all-weather motorable connectivity to every village.
Border Roads: Constructed and maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in strategic border areas (North and North-Eastern border). These roads improve accessibility in difficult terrain and aid economic development.

Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India.
They facilitate multifarious activities like business, sightseeing, and pilgrimage over long distances.
The Indian Railways have been a great integrating force for over 150 years, accelerating the development of industry and agriculture.
Network Distribution Factors:
- Northern Plains: Favorable due to vast level land, high population density, and rich agricultural resources.
- Hilly/Mountainous Regions: Unfavorable due to high relief, sparse population, and lack of economic opportunities (e.g., Himalayas).
- Deserts/Swamps: Difficult to lay tracks in sandy plains of Rajasthan or swamps of Gujarat.
- Peninsular Region: Tracks are laid through low hills, gaps, or tunnels. The Konkan Railway has facilitated movement along the west coast but faces challenges like landslides.
Problems: Ticketless travel, theft, damaging of railway property, and unnecessary chain pulling causing delays.

Used to transport crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas from fields to refineries, fertilizer factories, and thermal power plants.
Solids can be transported as slurry.
Allows refineries to be located far inland (e.g., Barauni, Mathura, Panipat).
Initial laying costs are high, but running costs are minimal. It rules out trans-shipment losses and delays.
Important Networks:
1. Upper Assam to Kanpur (via Guwahati, Barauni, Prayagraj).
2. Salaya (Gujarat) to Jalandhar (Punjab).
3. Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur (HVJ) gas pipeline linking Mumbai High to northern India.

Cheapest means of transport, fuel-efficient, and eco-friendly.
Most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods.
Inland Waterways: India has 14,500 km of navigable waterways. Major National Waterways (NW) include:
- NW-1: Ganga river (Prayagraj to Haldia).
- NW-2: Brahmaputra river (Sadiya to Dhubri).
- NW-3: West-Coast Canal in Kerala.
- NW-4: Godavari and Krishna rivers stretches.
- NW-5: Brahmani river and East Coast Canal.
Overseas Trade: 95% of the country's trade volume is moved by sea through ports.
Major Sea Ports: India has 12 major ports and roughly 200 minor ports.
- Kandla (Deendayal Port): Tidal port, developed to ease pressure on Mumbai after partition.
- Mumbai: Biggest port with a spacious natural harbour.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port: Planned to decongest Mumbai port.
- Mormugao (Goa): Premier iron ore exporting port.
- New Mangalore: Exports iron ore from Kudremukh.
- Cochin: Natural harbour at a lagoon entrance.
- Tuticorin: Natural harbour, rich hinterland.
- Chennai: One of the oldest artificial ports.
- Vishakhapatnam: Deepest landlocked and well-protected port.
- Paradwip: Specializes in iron ore export.
- Kolkata: Inland riverine port (tidal), requires constant dredging.
- Haldia: Subsidiary port to relieve pressure on Kolkata.

Fastest, most comfortable, and prestigious mode of transport.
Crucial for accessing difficult terrains like high mountains, dreary deserts, dense forests, and oceanic stretches.
Vital for the North-Eastern states due to difficult relief, big rivers, forests, and international frontiers.
Services:
- Air India provides domestic and international air services.
- Pawanhans Helicopters Ltd. provides services to ONGC and inaccessible areas (J&K, Himachal, North-East).
UDAN Scheme: "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik" aims to make regional air travel affordable for common citizens.

Personal vs. Mass Communication: Includes post, telegraph, telephone, wireless, films, radio, TV, etc.
Indian Postal Network: Largest in the world.
- First-class mail: Cards and envelopes (airlifted).
- Second-class mail: Book packets, newspapers, periodicals (surface mail).
- Mail Channels: Six channels introduced for quick delivery in large cities (Rajdhani, Metro, Green, Business, Bulk Mail, Periodical).
Telecom Network: India has one of the largest telecom networks in Asia. STD facilities extend to most villages with uniform rates. Digital India programme focuses on knowledge-based transformation.
Mass Communication:
- All India Radio (Akashwani): Broadcasts in national, regional, and local languages.
- Doordarshan: National TV channel, one of the largest terrestrial networks.
- Press: Newspapers published in about 100 languages/dialects (largest numbers in Hindi, English, Urdu).
- Films: India is the largest producer of feature films. Certified by the Central Board of Film Certification.

Trade: The exchange of goods among people, states, and countries.
International Trade: Trade between two countries. Considered the economic barometer of a country.
Balance of Trade: The difference between exports and imports.
- Favourable Balance: Value of exports exceeds value of imports.
- Unfavourable Balance: Value of imports exceeds value of exports.
Exports: Gems and jewelry, chemicals, agriculture and allied products, and software (information technology). India is a software giant earning large foreign exchange.
Imports: Crude petroleum, gems and jewelry, chemicals, base metals, electronics, and machinery.

Tourism has grown significantly over the last few decades.
Benefits:
- Promotes national integration.
- Supports local handicrafts and cultural pursuits.
- Develops international understanding of Indian culture and heritage.
- Earns huge foreign exchange.
Types of Tourism: Heritage, eco-tourism, adventure, cultural, medical, and business tourism.
Government Initiatives: Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Vibrant Village Programme, PRASHAD to boost tourism infrastructure.

Quick Navigation:

| | |

1 / 1

Quick Navigation:

| | |

Quick Navigation:

| | |