Trade is largely dependent on availability of transport. Development of economical and efficient means of transport is essential for the progress of a country. An integrated transport system is needed to bring different people together in order to strengthen the nation’s economy. IMPORTANCE

TYPES OF TRANSPORT

Road Transport Grand Trunk Road constructed by Sher Shah Suri Renamed as Sher Shah Suri marg connecting Amritsar to Delhi

National Highways Golden quadrilateral superhighway Expressways North south-east west corridor

GOLDEN QUADRILATERAL SUPERHIGHWAY Implemented by National Highway Authority of India(NHAI) Planned to meet the requirements of fast moving traffic to reduce time and distance between the major cities in India Connects Delhi-Mumbai-Chennai- Kolkata. 6 lane superhighway. Mumbai-Chennai shortest and Mumbai- Kolkata longest. Total length of 5846kms. Launched in 2001 by Atal Bihari Vajpyee and completed in2012. Passes through 13 states. Gives impetus to truck transport thus helping in the growth of trade.

NORTH-SOUTH AND EAST-WEST CORRIDOR North –south corridor (4000kms)connects Srinagar to Kanyakumari. East-west corridor (3300kms) connects Silchar(Assam) to Porbandar(Gujarat). Is the largest ongoing project of India.

EXPRESSWAYS Constructed to ensure swift and smooth movement between important towns. Typically have 6 lane highway divided in the middle by a divider. Mostly toll roads. Usually 2 wheelers, 3 wheelers, tractors not allowed. Speed -120kms/hr.

Facts on Expressways First expressway –Mumbai- Pune expressway became operational in the year Other important expressways  Ahmedabad-Vadodara  Delhi-Gurgaon  Noida-Greater Noida  Delhi-Noida

NATIONAL HIGHWAYS Constructed and maintained by the Central Public Works Department(CPWD) They connect State capitals, big cities and important ports. Are spread throughout the country. NH 1- Sher Shah Suri Marg. Maximum found in the Northern plains due to fertile soil and high density of population. Make up 2% of total road length and carry 45% of road traffic.

Border Roads Border roads organisation(BRO) established in 1960 for the development of roads of strategic importance in the Northern and northeastern areas. Have increased accessibility in areas of difficult terrain and have helped in the economic development of that area.

CHEAP AND EASY TO CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN CAN BE CONSTRUCTED IN HILLY AREAS AS THEY CAN NEGOTIATE SLEEP SLOPES AND SHARP BENDS. ACT AS FEEDERS TO RAILWAYS AND AIRWAYS DEPEND ON ROADS FOR COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS THAT THEY CARRY. PERISHABLE COMMODITIES CAN BE TRANSPORTED MORE QUICKLY THAN RAILWAYS.

Not suitable for long distance travel. Results in increasing air pollution. More expensive than rail transport. Heavy commodities cannot be transported easily.

First railway started in 1853 between Mumbai and Thane. Indian railway system is the lifeline of India’s inland transport. Northern plains has the most favorable conditions for the development of railways. Very few railways in the flood plains, plateau region, sandy areas of Rajasthan and the Himalayan region

BROAD GAUGEMETER GAUGE NARROW GAUGE 1.67 M & 70% COVERED 1 M & 23% COVERED Hilly areas. Are of two types-.762m and.610.

WATER TRANSPORT

Important means of transport for cargo and passengers. Includes inland and coastal waterways. Some important inland waterway- Ganga,Brahmaputra, Godavari,Krishna, and the Buckingham Canal. Coastal waterways Inland waterways

Regular flow of sufficient water. The presence of waterfalls, sharp bends and cataracts that hinder the development of waterways. Silting. Water reduced in rivers due to the diversion for irrigation. FACTORS THAT AFFECT WATER TRANSPORT

India has a long coastline with 12 major and 184 intermediate and minor ports. A port is a place on the coast where cargo can be loaded and unloaded and distributed. Most of India’s foreign trade are handled by these ports.

Indira Gandhi international airport- Delhi Netaji international airport- Calcutta Sahar airport- Mumbai Chennai international airport-Chennai