INTRODUCTION
- Transport is a means to carry goods and passengers from one place to another.
- Transport is considered the life line of modern human societies.
- They fulfil the basic human needs and help people to grow and prosper economically and socially.
- They facilitate the growth of trade, commerce arts and culture.
- They integrate people, places, ideas and things.
- The traditional system of transportation was revolutionized with the innovation of steam and powerful combusten engines. These revolutionized means of transport not only narrowed the physical gap between the peoples of different countries but also have brought us closer mentally.
MODE OF TRANSPORT
(a) Land Transport :
- The rapidity of movement of any particular commodity by any particular means is of great significance. Among the different available means of land transport, road and railway transport are not only the quickest but also the most efficient.
- Both these means of transport (road and rail) enjoy terminal facilities that in turn speed up the movement.
(b) Rail Transport :
- Development of the railways commenced in the beginning of 19th Century.
- The first train was started on 27th Sept. 1825, in between Stockton to Darlington. Thereafter in 1827 in France, 1830 in U.S.A., 1835 in Germany, 1836 in Russia and 1853 in India the train started.
- The distribution of rail route is determined by physical, climatic, economic or social factors.
WATER TRANSPORT
This includes canals, lakes, river, seas and oceans. The transportation is done Inland (nationally) as well as Internationally. The water transport can be divided into three parts -
(a) Inland water transport :
Inland water transport is done by rivers, following are the countries where island water transportation is done.
- Northern Europe-River Rhine, Seine, Mayse, Elbe, Weser and Audor.
- C.I.S. - Dnieper, Dnester, Don, Volga, Ob, Yenese, Lena.
- U.S.A. - Great Lakes, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio.
- China - Hawangho and Yangtazekiang.
- India - Ganga and Brahamputra.
- Tropical Countries - Amazon and Congo.
(b) Canal Transport :
Few Canals of the world use for ship transhipment. This has not only reduced the distance among the countries but also made the transportation swift. Following are the main Canals of the world -
- Suez Canal - Joins Mediterranean Sea with Red Sea.
- Panama Canal - Joins Pacific Ocean with Atlantic Ocean.
- Manchester Shipping Canal - Joins Manchester with Estham.
- Stalin Canal - Known as a Volga-Don Canal. Joins Rostar with Stalingrade of C.I.S.
(c) Ocean transport :
Ocean transport is the cheapest transport by which goods can be transported from one place to another. For loading, unloading the goods ports as well as harbours are constructed. Following are the important ocean routes -
- North Atlantic Route
- Pacific Ocean Route
- Mediterranean Route
AIR TRANSPORT
Air transport is the fastest but costliest mode of transport. The development of Air transport started after the First World War. But the actual development of this transport took place after the Second World War. Four types of services are performed by Air transport.
- Inter-Continental Global-This includes the longest services.
- Continental Air Route - These services are performed among the countries within a continent e.g.
- National Air Route - Perform services for long distances within the country.
- Regional Air Route - Provides services for short distances.
TRANSPORT &
COMMUNICATION IN INDIA
TYPES OF ROAD
(a) Express Way National Highway.
(i) Golden Quadrilateral
Linking Delhi-Kolkatta-Chennai-Mumbai and Delhi by six lane Super Highways, length 5846 km.
(ii) North-South and East-west corridors
From Srinagar to Kanyakumari and Silchar to Porbandar, length 7300 km.
(iii) Connecting Roads :
Connecting 10 major ports with Golden Quadrilateral and corridors, length 363 km.
(b) National highways :
These are the primary road systems and are laid and maintained by the Certral Public works Department. Connects one state with another and are of national importance.
(c) State highways :
Join state capitals with district headquarters and other important towns. Constructed and maintained by the State Public Works Department in State and Union Territories.
(d) District roads :
Connects the district headquarters with other places of the district, are maintained by the Zila Parishad.
(e) Village roads :
Connects the village with the neighbouring towns and cities. These roads received special impetus under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana.
(f) Border roads :
- Border Road Organisation a Government of India undertaking constructs and maintains roads in the bordering areas of the country.
- This organisation was established in 1960 for the development of roads of strategic importance in the northern and north-eastern border areas.
- These roads have improved accessibility in areas of difficult terrain and have helped in the economic development of these areas.
RAILWAYS
- Principle mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India.
- The first train in India steamed off from Bombay to Thane, a stretch of 34 km, in 1853. Today, India has the largest rail network in Asia and ranks fourth in the world in this regard. Have been a great integrating force of more than 150 years.
- By end of 2004, the total route length of the country was 63221 km, comprising broad gauge (46807 km), metre guage (13290 km) and narrow guage (3214 km).
- Electrified networks accounts for about 28 percent of the total route kilometrage. Indian Railways have grown into a vast network of 7031 stations with a fleet of 7817 locomotives, 5321 passenger service vehicles, 4094 other coach vehicles and 228,170 wagons as on 31 March 2004.
PIPELINES
- A convenient mode of transport for mineral oil and natural gas. Can be constructed over land as well as in water. Initial cost of laying pipelines is more but subsequent running cost are minimum.
- Pipeline transport rules out transshipment losses or delays. The transportation cost is also very low.
(a) Important networks of pipeline transportation :
- From oil fields in upper Assam to Kanpur via Guwahati, Barauni and Allahabad.
- From Salaya in Gujarat to Jalandher in Punjab via Virangam, Mathure, Delhi and Panipat.
- Gas pipeline from Hazira in Gujarat to Jagdishpur in U.P. via Bijaipur in M.P.
- Pipelines between Mumbai high and Mumbai, Mumbai and Pune.
INLAND WATERWAYS
Cheapest mean as well as near about pollution free form of transport. Most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods. Inland navigable waterways in India are of the length of 14500 km, of which 3700 km are navigable by mechanised boats.
(a) National Waterways (N.W.) :
- Ganga river between Allahabad and Haldia (1620 km). Is N.W. No. 1.
- Brahmaputra river between Sadiya and Dhubri (891 km). Is N.W. No. 2.
- West coast canal between kollam and Kottayam (168 km). (Kerala) Is N.W. No. 3.
AIRWAYS
- Fastest mode of transport. Best mean of transport for remote, inaccessible and hostile areas. Plays a vital role during calamities.
- Air India provides international air services. Indian airlines, Alliance air and private scheduled airlines provide domestic air services in India.
- Pawanhans Helicopters Ltd. and Air taxi operators provide services to remote area of India
International Airports :
- Mumbai : Chatrapati Shiwaji International Airport
- Delhi : Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Kolkatta : Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
- Chennai : Meenambakkam International Airport
- Amritsar : Raja Sansi International Airport
SEAPORTS
About 7516 km long coast line having 12 major and 181 medium and minor sea ports, handles 95% of India’s foreign trade.
(a) On the eastern coast :
(i) Kolkata :
In the state of W. Bengal, an inland riverine tidal port, requires constant dredging of Hoogly.
(ii) Haldia :
In the state of W. Bengal, developed as a subsidiary port, in order to relieve growing pressure on the Kolkata port.
(iii) Paradip :
In the state of Orissa, specialises in the export of iron ore.
(iv) Vishakapatanam :
In the state of Andhra Pradesh, is the deepest landlocked and well-protected port in India.
(v) Tuticorin :
In the state of Tamil Nadu, a natural harbour and rich hinterland.
(vi) Chennai :
In the state of Tamil Nadu, one of the oldest artificial ports of the country, is ranked next to Mumbai in terms of the volume of trade and cargo.
(b) On the western coast :
(i) Kandla :
In the state of Gujarat, first port to be develop soon after independence to ease the volume of trade on the Mumbai port, is a tidal port, caters to the convenient handling of exports and imports across the states of northern and north-western India.
(ii) Mumbai :
In the state of Maharashtra, biggest port with a spacious natural and well-sheltered harbour, handles the largest amount of goods trade in India, truely termed as Gateway of India.
(iii) Jawaharlal Nehru port :
In the state of Maharashtra, to decongest the Mumbai port and serve as a hub port.
(iv) Mormagao :
In the state of Goa, a premier iron ore exporting port, accounts for about 50% of India’s iron ore export.
(v) New Mangalore :
In the state of Karnataka, caters to the export of iron ore export of iron ore concentrates from Kuderemukh mines.
(vi) Kochi :
In the state of Kerala, located at the entrance of a lagoon with a natural harbour.
COMMUNICATION
Can be divided into 2 parts : Personal communication and Mass communication.
(a) Personal communication :
(i) Indian Postal Network :
- Largest in the world with about 1.5 lakh post offices (89% in rural areas 11% in urban areas. Carries 2 types of mails.
- First class mail : It is air lifted between stations, mail covering both land and connected by air. Includes cards and envelopes.
- Second class mail : Carried by surface mail covering land and water transport. Include registered newspaper, periodicals and book packets.
(ii) Telecom Network :
- Largest telecom network in Asia, about 3200 telephone exchanges.
- Besides urban places covers over 2/3rd of the villages of India.
- Private companies have also entred in the field, resulting in availability of better facilities to the consumers.
(b) Mass communication :
It plays a vital role in creating awareness, provides healthy entertainment as well.
(i) All India Radio :
With over 200 ratio stations, 320 transmitters broadcast a variety of programmes in National and Regional languages.
(ii) Dordarshan :
One of the largest terrestrial network, serves over 87% of the country. Its programmes range from entertainment to education and sports.
(iii) Printing media :
A large number of newspapers and periodicals, about 50000 published in about 100 languages and dialects.
