TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
Transportation and communication are essential aspects of our daily lives, facilitating the movement of goods and ideas from their origin to where they are needed. Consider the items we rely on daily, from toothpaste and food items to clothes and books. These items are produced in different locations, and it is through transportation that they reach the market for consumers.
Every product, whether it's harvested from fields or manufactured in factories, is ultimately meant for consumption. The journey of these goods begins at the site of production and ends at the market where consumers can purchase them. This process of transportation is what makes these items available and accessible to consumers.
Moreover, it's not just physical goods that we use daily; we also exchange ideas, views, and messages as part of our communication. We share our thoughts and information from one place to another or from one person to another using various communication methods.
Transportation and communication are driven by our need to move things from where they are produced or available to where they are needed or used. People employ different methods, such as vehicles, logistics networks, and digital platforms, to transport goods and ideas efficiently across distances, ensuring that our daily needs and exchanges are met seamlessly.
1. Land Transport in India
Land transport has played a crucial role in India's transportation system throughout history and continues to do so today. Various modes of land transport have evolved to cater to the movement of goods and people across different distances and terrains. Since ancient times, pathways and unmetalled roads have been utilized for transportation needs. With economic and technological advancements, metalled roads, railways, ropeways, cableways, and pipelines have been developed to meet specific transportation requirements under varying circumstances.
1.1. Road Transport in India
India boasts one of the world's largest road networks, covering approximately 62.16 lakh km as of the Annual Report 2020-21 from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Road transport handles a significant portion of both passenger (85%) and freight (70%) traffic, making it a crucial component of the transportation infrastructure.
Modern road transport in India saw limited development before World War II. Significant efforts were made post-independence, such as the introduction of the twenty-year road plan in 1961, aimed at improving road conditions across the country. However, rural and remote areas faced challenges in connectivity compared to urban centres.
Classification of Roads
- National Highways (NH) constructed and maintained by the Central Government, facilitate interstate transport and movement of strategic defence assets. They connect state capitals, major cities, ports, and railway junctions.
- State Highways (SH) Developed and maintained by state governments, these roads link state capitals with district headquarters and other significant towns, integrating with the national highway network.
- District Roads serve as connectors between district headquarters and other important nodes within a district.
- Rural Roads Vital for rural connectivity, these roads account for a significant portion of India's road network and play a crucial role in rural development.
- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) established in 1995, oversees the development, maintenance, and operation of national highways. It has undertaken major projects like the Golden Quadrilateral and North-South/East-West corridors to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time and costs between major cities and regions.
- Border Roads Organization (BRO) focuses on developing strategically important roads along India's northern and northeastern borders, promoting economic development and strengthening defence preparedness. It has achieved notable feats like constructing the Atal Tunnel, ensuring year-round connectivity to previously inaccessible regions.
- Development of State roads along coastal border areas, including connectivity of nonmajor ports;
- Backward areas religious and tourist places connectivity programme;
- Setubharatam Pariyojana, which is for the construction of about 1500 major bridges and 200 rail over bridges rail under bridges; District Headquarters connectivity Scheme for the development of about 9000 km newly declared National Highways. The programme is targeted for completion by 2022.
Rail transport plays a pivotal role in India's transportation network, facilitating the movement of both passengers and freight across vast distances and diverse landscapes. Mahatma Gandhi famously acknowledged the role of Indian Railways in bringing together people from diverse cultures to contribute to India's freedom struggle.
Indian Railways, introduced in 1853 with the construction of a 34 km line from Bombay to Thane, has since grown into one of the world's longest railway networks. It is the largest government undertaking in India, covering a vast expanse of 67,956 km as per the Railway Yearbook 2019-20. To manage such a vast network effectively, Indian Railways has been divided into 16 zones, each with its headquarters.
Railway Zones and Track Gauges
| Railway Zone | Headquarters |
| Central | Mumbai CST |
| Eastern | Kolkata |
| East Central | Hajipur |
| East Coast | Bhubaneswar |
| Northern | New Delhi |
| North Central | Allahabad |
| North Eastern | Gorakhpur |
| North East Frontier | Maligaon (Guwahati) |
| North Western | Jaipur |
| Southern | Chennai |
| South Central | Secunderabad |
| South Eastern | Kolkata |
| South East Central | Bilaspur |
| South Western | Hubli |
| Western | Mumbai (Church Gate) |
| West Central | Jabalpur |
Indian Railways is classified into three categories based on track width:
- Broad Gauge: With a rail distance of 1.676 meters, broad gauge lines span a total length of 63,950 km (2019-20).
- Metre Gauge: Tracks with a width of one meter cover a distance of 2,402 km (2019-20).
- Narrow Gauge: With a rail distance of 0.762 meters or 0.610 meters, narrow gauge lines extend over 1,604 km (2019-20), primarily in hilly regions.
Indian Railways has undertaken extensive programs to convert metre and narrow gauge lines to broad gauge, enhancing speed and haulage capacity. The transition from steam engines to diesel and electric engines has not only improved operational efficiency but also reduced environmental impact, particularly at railway stations.
Konkan Railway
A notable achievement of Indian Railways is the construction of the Konkan Railway, completed in 1998. Stretching 760 km from Roha in Maharashtra to Mangalore in Karnataka, it is hailed as an engineering marvel, featuring 146 rivers, streams, nearly 2,000 bridges, and 91 tunnels. The partnership between Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka facilitated its development.
Expansion and Connectivity
- Railway routes initially focused on connecting towns, raw material-producing areas, plantations, and commercial crop regions during the British colonial era. Post-independence, railway connectivity expanded to other areas, with significant developments like the Konkan Railway providing vital links between Mumbai and Mangaluru.
- Despite being the primary mode of transport for the masses, the railway network remains less dense in hill states, northeastern regions, central India, and Rajasthan. Continued efforts to expand and modernize the railway infrastructure are essential to enhance connectivity, promote economic growth, and meet the evolving transportation needs of the country.
2. Water Transport in India
Water transport plays a significant role in India's transportation sector, offering both passenger and cargo movement options. It boasts several advantages, including:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Water transport is the most economical mode for transporting heavy and bulky goods.
- Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Friendliness: Compared to other modes, water transport consumes less fuel and has a lower environmental impact.
Inland waterways, encompassing rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks, served as the primary mode of transport before the arrival of railways.
- Challenges and Decline: The development of road and railway networks, along with the diversion of river water for irrigation, led to a decline in the use of inland waterways. Currently, only around 14,500 km of navigable waterways exist, contributing roughly 1% to India's overall transportation. Within this network, only 5,685 km of major rivers can accommodate mechanized vessels.
- Inland Waterways Authority and National Waterways: Established in 1986, the Inland Waterways Authority (IWAI) is responsible for developing, maintaining, and regulating national waterways. The government has designated specific waterways as National Waterways for focused development.
- Kerala Backwaters: A Special Case: The backwaters of Kerala hold a unique position in inland water transport. They not only provide a cost-effective mode of transportation but also attract a large number of tourists. The renowned Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Vallamkali) is a testament to the cultural significance of these backwaters.
| NW | Length (km) | NW Name | State/Territory |
| NW 1 | 1,620.0 | Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal |
| NW 2 | 891.0 | Brahmaputra River | Assam |
| NW 3 | 205.0 | West Coast Canal and Champakara and Udyogmandal Canals | Kerala |
| 160.0 | West Coast Canal | ||
| 365.0 | |||
| NW 4 | 50.0 | Kakinada Canal (Kakinada to Rajahmundry) | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra |
| 171.0 | Godavari River (Bhadrachalam to Rajahmundry) | ||
| 139.0 | Eluru Canal (Rajahmundry to Vijayawada) | ||
| 157.0 | Krishna River (Wazirabad to Vijayawada) | ||
| 113.0 | Commamur Canal (Vijayawada to Peddaganjam) | ||
| 316.0 | North Buckingham Canal (Peddaganjam to Central Station of Chennai) | ||
| 110.0 | South Buckingham Canal (Central Station of Chennai to Marakanam) | ||
| 22.0 | Marakanam to Puducherry through Kaluvelly tank | ||
| 1,184.0 | River Godavari | ||
| 628.0 | River Krishna | ||
| 2,890.0 | |||
| NW 5 | 256.0 | East Coast Canal and Matai River | Odisha and West Bengal |
| 265.0 | Brahmani-Kharsua-Dhamra rivers | ||
| 67.0 | Mahanadi delta rivers (Consisting of Hansua River, Nunanala, Gobrinala, Kharnasi River and Mahanadi river) | ||
| 588.0 | |||
| NW 6 | 71.0 | AAI RIVER | Assam |
| NW 7 | 96.0 | AJOY (AJAY) RIVER | West Bengal |
| NW 8 | 28.0 | ALAPPUZHA- CHANGANASSERY CANAL | Kerala |
| NW 9 | 38.0 | ALAPPUZHA- KOTTAYAM – ATHIRAMPUZHA CANAL | Kerala |
| NW 10 | 45.0 | AMBA RIVER | Maharashtra |
| NW 11 | 98.0 | ARUNAWATI - ARAN RIVER | Maharashtra |
| NW 12 | 5.5 | ASSI RIVER | Uttar Pradesh |
| NW 13 | 11.0 | AVM CANAL | Tamil Nadu & Kerala |
| NW 14 | 49.0 | BAITARNI RIVER | Odisha |
| NW 15 | 137.0 | BAKRESWAR - MAYURAKSHI RIVER | West Bengal |
| NW 16 | 121.0 | BARAK RIVER | Assam |
| NW 17 | 191.0 | BEAS RIVER | Himachal Pradesh & Punjab |
| NW 18 | 73.0 | BEKI RIVER | Assam |
| NW 19 | 68.0 | BETWA RIVER | Uttar Pradesh |
| NW 20 | 94.0 | BHAVANI RIVER | Tamil Nadu |
Air transport stands as the fastest mode of movement, significantly reducing travel times and bridging vast distances, which is particularly crucial in a country as large and diverse as India.
The inception of air transport in India dates back to 1911 when airmail operations began covering a short distance of 10 km between Allahabad and Naini. However, its substantial growth and development occurred in the post-independence era. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) plays a pivotal role in ensuring safe and efficient air traffic and aeronautical communication services within Indian airspace. Currently, AAI manages 125 airports across the country, facilitating both domestic and international air travel.
- Specialized Services: Pawan Hans, a prominent helicopter service, operates primarily in hilly regions and is widely utilized by tourists, especially in the northeastern sector of India. Apart from catering to tourist needs, Pawan Hans Limited also provides crucial helicopter services to the petroleum sector, supporting remote operations and transportation needs in challenging terrains.
- Importance and Impact: Air transportation has revolutionized travel by significantly reducing travel times and expanding connectivity across the country. It has not only facilitated tourism and business but has also contributed to economic growth and regional development, especially in remote and inaccessible areas. The network of airports and air services continues to evolve, playing a vital role in India's transportation infrastructure and connectivity with the global aviation network.
4. Oil and Gas Pipelines in India
Pipelines serve as the most efficient and convenient mode for transporting liquids and gases over long distances. They are instrumental in the transportation of various commodities, including converting solids into slurry for transport. Oil India Limited (OIL) and GAIL (India) Ltd. play key roles in India's oil and gas pipeline infrastructure.
- Oil India Limited (OIL), operating under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is actively involved in the exploration, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas. Established in 1959, OIL has been a pioneering force in India's pipeline development. Notably, it constructed Asia’s first cross-country pipeline spanning 1,157 km from the Naharkatiya oilfield in Assam to the Barauni refinery in Bihar. This pipeline was later extended to Kanpur in 1966, showcasing significant advancements in India's oil transportation infrastructure.
- GAIL (India) Ltd., a public sector undertaking established in 1984, plays a crucial role in the transportation, processing, and marketing of natural gas for economic utilization. One of its notable achievements is the construction of the Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur (HVJ) cross-country gas pipeline, stretching over 1,700 km. This pipeline connected Mumbai High and Bassein gas fields with various industrial complexes, power plants, and fertilizer units in western and northern India. The HVJ pipeline significantly contributed to the development of India’s gas market, providing impetus to the nation’s energy infrastructure.
India’s gas infrastructure has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from 1,700 km to over 18,500 km of cross-country pipelines. This growth trajectory is expected to continue, with plans to establish a comprehensive Gas Grid encompassing over 34,000 km. The Gas Grid initiative aims to interlink all gas sources and consuming markets across the country, including remote regions like the North Eastern States, ensuring efficient and widespread distribution of natural gas resources.
5. Communication Networks in India
