LIFELINES OF NATIONAL ECONOMY

1. Roadways

India has one of the largest road networks in the world which accounts for 56 lakh km. Roads are classified in the following 6 classes according to their capacity.

• National Highways: National Highways link extreme Parts of our country. These are primary road systems, so these are laid and implemented by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). Many National highways run in North-South and East-West Directions, The historical Sher-shah Suri Marg is called National Highway 1. 
• State Highways: Roads linking state headquarters with other cities are called State Highways. These roads are constructed and maintained by the State Public Works Department (PWD).
• District Roads: These Roads connect District Headquarters with other places in the district. These roads are maintained by Zilla Parishads. 
• Other Roads: Rural roads, which connect rural areas with village towns. These roads receive special impetus from Pradhan Mantri Grama Sadak Yojana.
• Border Roads: Border Roads Organization, a Government of India Organization undertakes the construction, and maintenance of the roads which are at the Border of our country. This Organization was Established in 1960 for the development of roads in the Northern and Northeastern regions. 

2. Railways

Railways are the Principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India. Indian Railway has been Integrating Force for more than 150 years. The distribution pattern of the railway network in the country has been largely influenced by physiographic, economic and Administrative factors.

3. Pipelines

The pipeline transport network is a new arrival on the transportation map of India. In the past, these were used to transport water to cities and Industries. Now these are used to transport crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas from oil and natural gas fields to refineries, fertilizer factories and big thermal plants.

4. Waterways

Since the ancient period, India has been one of the main seafaring countries. Its seamen sailed far and near thus, carrying and spreading Indian commerce and culture. Waterways are the cheapest ways of transport and they are more suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods It is fuel efficient and environment-friendly modes of transport. India has Inland water navigation of 14,500km in length, out of which 5685km are for merchandise vessels. 

The following are the National Waterways of India

• The Ganga River between Allahabad and Haldia (1620km)-NW-01
• The Bramhaputra River between Sadiya and Dhubri (891km)-NW-02
• The west coast canal in Kerala-NW 03
• Specified stretches of Godavari and Krishna along with Kakinada Puducherry (1078)-NW-04
• Specified Stretches of Brahmani River along with Matai River, delta channels of Mahanadi and Brahmana River and east coast canal (588km)-NW-05

Major sea ports

1. Kandla in Kuch was the first port developed soon after independence to ease the volume of trade in the Mumbai port
2. Marmagao Port of Goa is the premiere Iron exporting Port in the Country, this accounts for 50% of iron ore export
3. New Mangalore Port at Karnataka caters to iron ore exports from Kudremukh mines
4. Kochi is the extreme southwestern port located at the entrance of a lagoon with a natural harbour
5. Tuticorin is a southeastern port in Tamil Nadu which has a Natural Harbour

5. Airways

Air travel is the fastest and most prestigious mode of transport. Air travel was nationalized in 1953, Air India provides domestic and International air services

6. Tourism as a Trade

Tourism in India has grown substantially over the last three decades. More than 15 million people are directly connected to the Tourism Industry. Tourism connects the People and promotes national integration, providing support to local handicrafts and cultural pursuits. Foreign tourists visit India for  cultural tourism, heritage tourism, eco-tourism and adventure tourism