Meaning of Transportation System In India :

It has been aptly remarked by Dr. Marshall, “Most effective economic fact of our times is not the development of manufacturing industries but that of the transport services.”

It is clear that the property of a country does not depend on the development of agriculture, industry and mines alone but also on the development of means of transport.

Transport system of a country refers to the different means which carry men and material from one place to the other.

Transportation is the foundation stone of economic infrastructure. It helps in the development of trade, commerce and industry. Transportation removes the hindrance of place and facilitates the movement of goods from producers to consumers. It also helps in removing regional inequalities.

Transportation has assumed much importance in developing economy like ours for rapid economic growth. If agriculture and industries are supposed to be the body of the country, transportation may be said to be the nerves and veins of the economy. These days transportation is known as the symbol of civilization.

Advantages of Transport System In India :

The advantages of transport can be realised from the social and economic progress of the nation which have been generated by this sector in India during the plan periods.

However, following points highlights its significance:

A. Economic Benefits:

(i) Better Production in both Agriculture and Industrial Sectors:

Transport system has helped in the growth in industrial and agricultural production. It has been transporting raw materials and labour to the places of production and by carrying the products produced by these sectors to different parts of the country and other countries of the world.

(ii) Reduction in Cost of Production:

The transportation network reduces the cost of manufactured goods and lowers the price in the markets.

(iii) Reduction in Scarcity:

It helps in solving the problem of scarcity of goods and factors in different regions of the country.

(iv) Growth in Foreign Trade:

It helps in promoting foreign trade of the country. A country’s exports/imports cannot develop without good parts, shipping and cargo facilities. Thus, transportation system makes a network for transactions among different regions as well as with other countries.

(v) Specialization of Labour and Mobilization of Resources:

By the efficient and effective transportation system, the benefits of specialization of labour and proper mobilization can be achieved. Thus, an economic system makes the best use of resources through good transport system.

(vi) Promotion of Tourism:

An ideal transportation promotes tourism system or services all over the country.

(vii) Expands the Market:

Markets for both industrial and agricultural produce expand both on the domestic and international front with the expansion of transport network. For example, through the expansion of road, rail and water transport, it got good success making links between different parts of the country and with other countries of the world.

B. Social Benefits:

(i) More Employment Opportunities:

Transport helps to create employment opportunities and thus, it provides employment through helping mobility of workers. About 18 lakhs people are employed in Indian railways. In the same way, lakhs of people are employed in roadways, shipping and air transport.

(ii) Education Expansion:

Developed means of transport helps in the expansion of education even in remote areas of the country. It provides mobility to teachers, students and teaching aids. Means of transport are the source of advertisement also. In this way, they also help in expanding education.

(iii) Social and Cultural Spirit:

Means of transport brings together persons living at different corners of the country. They exchange their views. They have the common problems, because of their living together. Consequently social and cultural unity emerges. Thus, developed means of transportation are also responsible for international brotherhood.

(iv) Higher Standard of Living:

Transportation has reduced distance. As a result, we enjoy the position to use various varieties of things produced in different corners of the world. These standard commodities increase our standard living which depends upon goods and services, we consume.

(v) Relationship between Villages and Cities:

Means of transport has reduced distance between villages and cities. Men and materials move from villages to cities and from cities to villages. Villagers can now avail of the employment opportunities available in cities. Villages, in close contact of cities develop faster.

Means of Transport System In India :

The various means of transport are discussed below:

1. Rail Transport:

• Railways was introduced to India in 1853, when a line was constructed from Bombay to Thane covering a distance of 34 km.
• The total length of Indian Railways network is 64460 km. (March 2011).

The gauge-wise route and track lengths of the systems as on 31st March, 2007 are as under:-

The network is divided into 16 zones. Divisions are basic operating units. The 16 zones are their respective headquarters are given below.

In India, railway is the most important form of transport system. The first railway line was laid between Bombay and Thane in 1853. After that, rail services have developed a lot. At the time of independence, the total route length was 53,596 km with 8,209 engines, 19,536 passenger bogies and 2, 06,000 goods wagons.

The Britishers had built up an extensive network of railways to exercise and maintain a tight control over the vast Indian Territory and to open to the country as a source of food and raw materials for their industries.

Indian railway at present is the country’s single largest undertaking with a total capital investment of around Rs. 20,000 crores. It is the largest in Asia and ranks fourth in the world. It provides direct employment to nearly 18 lakh persons.

Advantages or Importance of Railway Transport System in India :

Following are the main advantages of Railway transport System In India :

1. Development of Agriculture:

Spread of Railways in India has contributed a great deal to the development of agriculture. Before the development of Railways, agriculture was largely subsistence-oriented. Railways have commercialised it. Our farmers do not produce for self consumption only but also for sale in the market.

2. New Sources and New Areas of Production:

Railways have installed new sources and new areas of production. They have not only provided knowledge of the new areas, but also helped in reaching the inaccessible areas.

3. Growth of Markets and Specialization:

Railways have extended the size of market and thus stimulated the process of specialization. Bulky goods can easily be transported by Railways.

4. Help in the Internal Trade:

By joining together different areas of the country, railways have made internal trade convenient. They carry goods and passengers to distant places easily.

5. Mobility of Labour and Capital:

Railways have increased the mobility of labour and capital which in its turn has contributed to the rapid industrialisation of the country.

6. Check on the Fluctuations of Prices:

Railways have checked those fluctuations in prices that were detrimental to the economic, political and social stability of the country. Price fluctuations cause misery, disturb trade and give rise to many problems.

7. Elimination of Famines:

Railways have helped in diluting the intensity of famines by carrying the food-grains from surplus to famine-stricken areas.

8. Employment:

Railways are an important source of employment in India. Lakhs of skilled and unskilled people are employed in operating the railways. In addition, this means of transport creates so many opportunities of employment. Railways provide employment to 17 lakh people in the country.

9. Encouragement to Tourism:

Tourist traffic has also been encouraged. Railways sell circular tickets to the tourists and thereby promote tourism.

10. Strategic Importance:

Strategic importance of the railways cannot be ignored. They are instrumental in providing internal security and in making goods and efficient arrangements of defence of the country against any external threat.

11. Social Importance:

Railways have made possible a basic change in the social attitude of the people. They are no longer tied to old customs and traditions, nor to fatalism and orthodoxy.

Disadvantages or Problems of Railways Transport System in India :

Although the development of railways in our country took place rapidly, still there are numberless problems in the path of steady growth.

The main problems are stated as under:

1. Old Track and Poor State of Rolling Stock:

The major problem faced by Indian railways is that the tracks are old and out-dated. These old tracks cause many serious railway accidents. This has also resulted in speed restrictions. Virtually, every new timetable, running time of all trains has been increased while railways in other advanced countries are reducing it drastically.

2. Travel without Tickets:

Another problem that is being faced in India is that a large number of passengers travel without purchasing tickets. Indian railways have to bear extra loss of about Rs. 5 crore every year on account of travelling without tickets.

3. Railway Accidents:

The incidence of railway accidents in our country is greater as compared to other countries of the world. Accidents occur due to the errors and negligence of the employees.

4. Attack on Railways:

The Indian railways had to suffer a heavy loss of crores of rupees. The railways are attacked during the time of disturbances and violences that arise in any part of the country. For instance, there was heavy loss of railways in the movements of West Bengal, Telegana and Assam etc.

5. Lack of Modern Management:

There is a lack of modern management as railway failed to attract adequate incentives and suitable talent. In addition to it, it could not make economic analysis for perspective planning tariff.

6. Outmoded Technology:

The rolling stock technology is absolutely outmoded. The system is beset with excessive man-power and manpower development has not kept pace with technology up-gradation. This has made railways incapable of coping with increasing transport demand and of raising and improving the traffic volume and flows at lower unit cost of operation.

7. Problem of Replacement:

The problem of replacement of old and obsolete railways engines, wagons and other equipment’s has created a serious problem in India.

8. Problem of Laying Double Lines:

Most of the railway lines are single lines which create great inconvenience to the railway organisation and passengers.

9. Inadequate Investment:

The railway transport has lagged behind the requirement due to inadequate investment. The shortcoming has been highlighted by different committees. The National Transport Policy Committee. The Rail Tariff Enquiry Committee and The Railway Reforms Committee.

10. Competition with Road Transport:

The competition with road transport is growing in intensity, both in passenger and in goods transport. The lack of co-ordination between railways and road transport has lowered the earning capacity of the railways. This has further caused delay in traffic movement and inconvenience to passengers.

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Progress of Railway:

Indian railway system is the biggest public undertaking in the country. It has about 16 lakh employees and more than 2 lakh casual workers. It runs daily about 13500 trains connecting around 7000 stations-big and small, halt and flag ones. It carries 1.2 crore passengers and 12 lakh tones of goods daily.

In 1950-51, total route length was of 53.6 thousand kilometers, running track of 59.3 thousand kilometers while total track of 77.6 thousand kilometers. During 2000-01, route length increased to 63.0 thousand kilometers, 81.2 thousand kilometers of running track against 108.0 thousand kilometers. This means that the track density increased from 1.1 in 1950-51 to 1.7 in 2000-01.

The electrified route in terms of kilometers was 0.4 thousand against 53.6 kilometers in 1950-51 which increased to 10.0 thousand kilometers out of 62.4 thousand route in 1990-91 and further, it was recorded to be 14.9 thousand kilometers out of 63.0 thousand kilometers in 2000-01. The railway had achieved originating revenue earning freight loading 492.50 million tones in 2000-01 against 318.4 million tones in 1990-91 and 73.2 million tones in 1950-51.

The earning from goods carried was Rs. 139.3 in 1950-51 which rose to Rs. 8247.0 crore in 1990-91 and Rs. 24586.8 crore in 2000-01. The goods carried was 37.6 billion tone km in 1950-51 which increased to 235.8 billion tone km. in 1990-91 and further to 331.9 billion tone km in 2000-01. However, average lead to all goods traffic in terms of km was registered to be 711.0 km in 1990-91 against 470.0 km in 1950-51.

During 2000-01, its number has reduced to 645.0 km. The passengers originating was 1284.0 millions in 1950-51 which rose to 5093.0 millions in 2000-01. While passenger in terms of kilometers was 66.5 billion in 1950-51 which increased to 295.6 billion in 1990-91 and 493.5 billion in 2000-01. The total earnings was recorded to be Rs. 98.2 crore in 1950-51 which increased to Rs. 3144.7 crore in 1990-91 and Rs. 11196.5 crore in 2000-01.

Here, it must be remembered that Indian Railway, being a public utility service, has been undertaking certain uneconomical operations in the larger interest of the nation, have also afforded transport facilities to the common man and to carry certain essential commodities for mass consumption.

During 2000-01, losses incurred on such social service obligations are estimated at Rs. 3413 crore. During August 2002, Govt., of India has drawn up a non-budgeting investment initiative for the development of Railway to be called National Rail Vikas Yojana.

2. Road Transport:

• With a total length of about 42.3 lakh km, India has one of the largest road networks in the world.About 85% of passenger and 70% of freight traffic are carried by roads.
• Roads have been classified as National Highways (NH), State Highways (SH), Major District Roads, and Rural Roads.
• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Surface Transport was operationalized in 1995. The NHAI is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of National Highways.The National Highways constitute only 1.67 per cent of the total road length, but carry about 40 per cent of the road traffic.
• State Highways are constructed and maintained by the state governments.

Next to railways, road transport plays a pivot role in the country’s transport system. Besides the fact-that social and economic progress of the country depends on the development of road, there is also a significant link of bringing about the sentimental integration of the common masses.

In the words of Benthan “roads are the veins and arteries of a country through whose channels every improvement takes circulation.” Infact, roads reaches the door steps.

Classification of Roads:

Roads in India have been classified into following:

1. National Highways:

These refer to the main roads which connect the state, capitals, ports and big cities. Constructions and maintenance of these roads are the responsibility of Centre Govt.

2. State Highways:

These are the main roads of the state. These connect the capital and the cities of the state. State Govts., are responsible for their maintenance.

3. District Roads:

These roads connect district man-dies and production areas. These are maintained by District Boards.

4. Village Roads:

These roads connect the villages with district roads. Panchayats construct these roads.

5. Border Roads:

These roads are constructed with the help of Border Road Organisation. This organisation has constructed 18,500 kms long border roads.

Means of Road Transport System In India :

Two main means of Road Transport in India are:

1. Bullock Carts:

It is the main mode of transport of Indian villages. According to F.P. Bhatia there are about 1 crore bullock carts in India. They provide work to 1 crore persons. 2 crore bullocks are there in India and there is one bullock cart per 68 persons.

2. Motor Transport:

It was after 1913 that motor transport commenced in India. To keep proper control over it, Motor Vehicles Act 1939 was passed. It has now been replaced by Motor Vehicles Act 1988. It has been amended in 1994. At present, there are 303 lakh motor vehicles whereas in 1947 their number was about 2 lakhs.

Advantages of Road Transport System In India :

1. Extension of Agriculture is Possible:

There are many areas in the country lacking efficient means of transport. But these are fit for growing all types of crops including cash crops. According to “Indian Road and Transport Development Institute”, by extending roads to the rural areas, it is possible to increase cultivable area by 25 percent.

2. Production of Perishable Goods:

According to Road Re­organisation Committee’s Report, road-system encourages the sale of such perishable goods as vegetable, fruits, milk, butter, etc. in the wide markets where from the farmer returns with the knowledge of fertilisers, implements and improved methods of agricultural production.

3. Advantage of Industries:

Industries are also benefitted from the development of roads. It is through roads that raw materials reach the factories and finished products of the consumers.

4. Employment:

Road transport provides employment to large number of people. According to Road Transport Development Committee, an outlay of Rs. 3,500 crore on roads can generate employment for 170 lakh persons.

5. Less Capital:

Roads need less capital than the railways. Countries facing shortage of capital have added importance of road development.

6. Flexibility:

It is a most flexible means of transport. Motor vehicles can run not only between two places but also from one door to the other.

7. Saving of Time and Cost:

Goods in small quantity can be transported daily through quick means of road transport whereas, the railway department waits till they book full-wagon load of goods.

8. Small Units:

As against railways, road transport service is performed through small units, like trucks, tempos etc. Thus not much capital is needed to buy these vehicles.

9. Personal Service:

Personal service is another special feature of road transport which is made possible because of small units.

10. Multi-purpose Tendency:

Roads are not built for specific vehicles. Different types of vehicles can be pressed into service. Roads can be used by bullock-cart, tongas, rickshaws, cycles, motors etc., whereas rail-tracks are meant only for railway trains. Similarly, water and air-transport are also meant for special type of vehicles.

Problems of Road Transport System in India :

1. Inadequate Roads:

Roads are bad and inadequate in India. There are 34 km long roads per 100 sq. km area in India while in Japan 270 km and in West Germany 167 km long roads per 100 sq. km area are there. Government should spend more on the development of roads.

2. Heavy Taxes:

There is heavy tax burden on motor transport in India. Tax burden per motor vehicle in India is Rs. 3500 while in America it is Rs. 860 and in Britain Rs. 470. This tax burden should be lowered.

3. No proper Maintenance:

Roads are not maintained properly in India. Less than 0.1 percent of the national income is spent on the maintenance of roads in India, while in Japan it is 3 percent of the national income.

4. Lack of Co-ordination:

There is little co-operation and co­ordination among different states with regard to motor transport. As such, motor transport faces lot of difficulties. The states should pursue a coordinated policy in this matter.

5. Less Roads in Rural Areas:

Sixty percent of villages are without roads in India. It adversely affects our agriculture and rural economy. Government should develop roads speedily in rural areas.

6. Lack of Guest Houses:

There is lack of great houses and hotels along the roadside in India. More guest houses should be built along the roads sides, so that people may undertake long road journeys easily.

7. Inefficient Management and Services:

According to ‘Road Transport Re-organisation Committee’, 90 percent of the operators are small operators owning five vehicles or less. Owing to this small number, satisfactory and efficient service is not being provided to the people.

8. Rising Prices of Petrol/Diesel:

Due to high prices of petroleum products and diesel operational costs of road transport are rising and making the mode of transport more costlier.

9. Undisciplined Driving and Accidents:

Most of the drivers on the roads are unskilled and untrained. They also drink alcohol while driving. As such, road accidents are more frequent in India.

10. Bad Conditions of Road:

In India, roads are not well-maintained as there are no timely repairs. It causes discomfort and quick depreciation of vehicles.

Progress of Road Transport:

In 1950-51, road network i.e., total length of roads was of about four lakh km. Out of it, 19.8 thousand km was national highway. During 1990-00, total length of road increased to 1998.2 thousand km and 2526.0 thousand km in 1999-00. However, national highway was 52.0 thousand km in 1999-00.

The length of state highway was around 137.9 thousand km in 1998-99 against 56.8 thousand km in 1970-71. The number of registered vehicles was 306.0 thousand in 1950-51, 21374.0 thousand in 1990-91 and 48393.0 thousand in 1997-00. Out of it, number of good vehicles was 2681.0 thousand and buses was of 559.0 thousand in 1999-00 against 82.0 thousand and 34.0 thousand respectively in 1950-51.

Regarding revenue, it was hardly Rs. 34.8 crore for central and Rs. 12.6 crore for states in 1950-51 which increased to Rs. 20952.5 crore for centre and Rs. 12980.5 crore for states during 1999-00.

The road network comprises of national highways, state highways, district roads, rural roads and special purpose roads for military and ports etc. National highways are the prime arterial routes throughout the country. It caters the need of about 45 percent of total road transport demand.

Recently, a key innovation has been created of major new source of funding for National, State and rural roads. It has been named Central Road Fund (CRF). Moreover, National Highway Development Project (NHDP) has been set up for the expansion of roads.

3. Water Transport:

Water transport can be divided into two major categories − inland waterways and oceanic waterways.

• Inland Waterways Authority was set up in 1986 for the development, maintenance, and regulation of national waterways in the country.

• Ocean transport is the most important water transport because it has certain advantages overland carriage. The sea offers a ready-made carriageway for ships which, unlike the roadway or railway, requires no maintenance.

• Water surfaces are two-dimensional and, although sea-going vessels frequently keep to shipping lanes, ships can travel, within a limited number of constraints, in any direction.

Water transport is the cheapest mode of traffic for both long and short distance. It does not use the costliest resources as in the case of air transport. However, in ancient period, shipping was one of the big industry of India, perhaps known as the Queen of Eastern Seas.

Indians were much skilled in the building of ships and used to go to different distant countries like Persia, East Africa, Malaya and Eastern Island on their ships. In this context, Shri S.L. Haja has rightly stated that ‘Indian Naval power was undoubtedly a great achievement of Indian civilization.

During 1860 to 1925, there were 102 Indian Shipping Industries but gradually all of them were destroyed by the British. Scindia Team Navigation Company was established in 1919. The history of Indian Shipping Companies from 1925 to 1945 is in-fact the history of Scindia Shipping company.

In 1945, Government of India constituted a “Reorganisation Policy Sub Committee” under the chairmanship of Shri C.P. Ramaswami Aiyyar who suggested that all the coastal trade of India should be reserved for Indian ships and suitable opportunity should be given to the Indian ships in foreign trade.

In 1947, the Shipping Act was enacted. It was compulsory for the ships to obtain licences. Eastern Shipping Corporation was established with a capital of Rs. 10 crores in March, 1950. In June, 1956, Western Shipping Corporation was set up. Similarly, in 1961 two corporations were merged into Indian Shipping Corporation. New Shipping Corporation of India and Mogul Lines are operating under public sector and 33 companies under private sector.

Kinds of Water Transport:

It is of three kinds:

1. Inland Water Transport

2. Coastal Transport (coastal shipping).

3. Oceanic Transport (overseas shipping).

1. Inland Water Transport:

It has played a very important role in Indian Transport System since ancient times. Its length is 14544 Kms. Ganges, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna rivers are navigable. Trans­portation of goods in an organised form is confined to West Bengal, Assam and in some parts of North Eastern Region and Goa.

In 1945, Central Irrigation and Power Commission was set up to develop inland water transport. Later on Central Inland Water Transport Corporation was set up in 1967 and finally Inland Waterway Authority of India was set up in 1986 which is a step forward and should help in accelerating development. We have 5200 kms navigable but only 1700 kms are without.

2. Coastal Transport:

India has a long coastline of 7516 kms. with 11 major and 139 minor working ports and a vast hinter-land. Inspite of its importance (being cheapest and energy efficient mode of transport) there has been a sharp decline in coastal shipping operations. Number of ships declined from 97 in 1961 to 56 in 1980 and GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) reduced from 3.1 lakh to 2.5 lakh over the same period. It went up to 6.3 lakh in 1995-96.

We have large overseas trade and 5560 kms coastline. We have also navigational aids such as lighthouses and lightships indicating submerged rocks and other dangers to the shipping. In 1950-51 we had 5 major ports at Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam.

After independence seven major ports at Kandla in Gujarat, Haldia near Kolkata, Nhava Sheva in Mumbai, Paradip in Orissa, Tulicam Mangaldi in Karnataka, and Marmugas in Goa were built. Major ports are being modernised, expanded and re-equipped. We have at present 450 vessels containing of tankers, liners and cargo carriers.

3. Oceanic Transport:

India has developed merchant fleet from scratch. In 1951 there were 24 Indian ships of 0.17 million GRT engaged in overseas trade. The fleet strength at the end of December 1994 was 438 vessels of 6.3 million GRT. Overseas trade was 122.3 million tones during 1993-94, which formed 34 percent of the total sea borne cargo.

The Government of India is taking a lot of interest in the development of shipping sector by establishing a ship building industry in public sector, granting subsidy on the acquisition of ships from domestic shipyards to offset highest cost, supporting the public sector Shipping Corporation of India to expand its fleet and building up adequate facilities for the training of officers and men for the merchant fleet.

Eighth Plan aimed to achieve the objective of acquisition of a modern diversified fleet. It may help in achieving the objective of export promotion and improved balance of payments.

Advantages of Water Transport system In India :

Importance of water transport is evident from the following:

1. Important for Foreign Trade:

Current volume of India’s trade is quite large and it is likely to further expand for the sake of economic development of the country. So, its importance cannot be under-rated.

2. Foreign Exchange:

Shipping has also enabled the country to save enough of foreign exchange. Foreign exchange is of utmost importance for country’s economic development. India has already been facing acute foreign exchange shortage.

3. Defence:

Development of shipping is essential for the defence of the country also. It is regarded as second line of defence.

4. Cheap Means of Transport:

Water transport is the cheapest means of transport. Oceans and rivers are the free gifts of nature. No cost is involved in their construction unlike that of railways and roads.

5. Transport of Heavy Goods:

Heavy and bulky goods can be transported at little cost through water transport.

6. Useful during Natural Calamities:

During natural calamities like floods, heavy downpour etc. when rail or road transport is disrupted, water transport alone is possible.

7. Less Maintenance Cost:

Compared to other means of transport, maintenance cost of water transport is very little.

Disadvantages of Water Transport:

Main disadvantages of water transport are as under:

1. Limited Area:

Area of water transport is restricted. Rivers and oceans are free gifts of nature. Accordingly the operational area remains fixed. Unlike railways and roads, man cannot construct waterways.

2. Slow Speed:

It is a slow means of transport. Failure of monsoon results into fall in the water-level of rivers making navigation difficult.

3. Less Safety:

As against other means of transport, it is less safe. Danger of sinking of boats and ships always looms large.

4. Air Transport: 

• Air transport in India marked its beginning in 1911 with the commencement of airmail over a little distance of 10 km between Allahabad and Naini.
• Pawan Hans is the helicopter service operating in hilly areas and is widely used by tourists in north-eastern regions.
• The coastline of India is dotted with 12 Major Ports and about 200 Non-major Ports. The Major Ports are under the purview of the center while the Non-major Ports come under the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments.

Fastest means of transport is Air Transport. There are several favourable circumstances for the development of Air Transport in India. Credit goes to India for inaugurating the first Air Service Asia in 1914 by Post and Telegraph Department by carrying mail from Allahabad to Naini across the Ganga River. But the real progress was made during World War II.

In 1947, we had 27 airways companies in India and these covered a distance of about 22 crore kilometers on their scheduled flights and carried about 3 lakh passengers. Now they cover a distance of about 10 crore kilometers and carry more than 72 lakh passengers per year.

The number of aerodromes/airports increased to 91 by 1990-91. It includes 5 international airports at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Trivandrum. International Airport Authority of India was established in 1972 in the public sector. National Airport Authority of India was formed in June 1986.

Vayudoot and Pawan Hans are the two airlines added to civil aviation recently. Previously Air India International for international services and Indian Airlines for domestic services were established in 1953. Vayudoot operates to inaccessible remote stations not touched by Indian Airlines.

Pawan Hans provides helicopter services to remote places. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Urban Academy (GRUA) has been set up to train commercial pilots. In 1950, Air Transport Enquiry Committee was appointed. On the recommendations of this committee, in 1953 air transport was nationalized and three corporations were set up.

(i) Air India International Corporation

(ii) Indian Airline Corporation

(iii) Private Airline

Advantages of Air Transport:

Main advantages of air transport are:

1. High Speed:

It is a high speed means of transport. Passengers and goods can be transported speedily from one place to the other.

2. Transport of Costly and Light Goods:

It is convenient to send costly, light and perishable goods through air transport.

3. Minimum Cost:

Unlike railways and road transport there is no need to spend any money on the construction of any track or road. One has only to construct air-ports.

4. Free from Geographical Constraints:

Mountains oceans and rivers create no obstruction to air transport.

6. Strategic Importance:

It has great strategic significance. Soldier, arms and ammunition can be airlifted to the troubled spots.

Disadvantages or Problems of Air Transport System in India :

Air transport faced undernoted problems/disadvantages:

1. High Costs:

Air transport in India is becoming very costly day by day with rising operational costs.

2. Non co-operation of Staff:

Indian airlines are facing problems due to non-co-operation of the staff, such as, strikes by pilots, etc.

3. Out-dated Planes:

Aviation technology is changing very fast. But our planes are out-dated and not very safe. Consequently Indian airlines find it difficult to compete with the world airlines.

4. Huge Investments:

Creation of aviation facilities requires huge investments. The Government is least capable of increasing the number of planes and airports in the country. The private sector has its own limitations.

5. Inadequate Training Facilities:

There are no adequate facilities to train a large number of pilots in the country. On privatization of airlines we are again facing the problem of sufficient trained staff.

6. Maximization of Risks:

In air transport, risks are increasing day by day due to crime and terrorism, violence, hijacking, etc. all over the world.

Progress of Civil Aviation:

The total fleet strength consisting Air India and India Air Lines was 13 and 88 in 1960-61. The strength of Air India increased to 28 in 2001-02 while in case of Indian Air Lines reduced to 53. The revenue tone in terms of kilometers was recorded to be Rs. 7.56 crore for Air India and Rs. 10.00 crore for Indian Air Lines in 1950-51 which stood at Rs. 139.80 crore and Rs. 75.55 crore respectively during 2001-02.

Regarding passengers carried by Air India and Indian Air Lines was 31.30 lakh and 55.25 lakh during 2001-02 while it was barely 1.25 lakh and 7.90 lakh respectively in 1950-51. Therefore, total number of passengers handled at AAI Airport was 107.38 lakh in 1980-81, 177.23 lakh in 1990-91 and 399.83 lakh in 2001-02.

5. Pipe Line Transport:

This is a special type of transport system, suitable only for certain commodities. Its inherent advantages are low energy consumption, lower transit and low running cost. A number of pipe line systems have been built in India for transport of crude petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas.

Important pipe lines for transporting crude petroleum are:

(i) From Assam oil fields to Guwahati and Barauni.

(ii) Imported crude from West Coast to Koyali (near Vadodara in Gujarat) and to Mathura (from Salaya port). A pipe line under construction will transport crude oil from Viramgram (Gujarat) to Karnal refinery (Haryana).

The petroleum products from refineries are carried by pipe lines from:

(i) Barauni to Kanpur,

(ii) Mathura to Delhi, Ambala and Jalandhar and

(iii) Bombay to Pune.

The Indian Oil Corporation has constructed an extensive system of pipelines for crude oil and petroleum products. A 950 km long pipe line, from Hazira via Bijapur to Jagadishpur (BHJ) carries natural gas to gas-based nitrogenous fertilizer plants located in M.P., U.P. and Rajasthan. The natural gas is also utilized for generation of power.

This project is being attended to by the Gas Authority of India which was set up in August 1984. There are plans for several other pipelines for transporting natural gas utilizing it at other places.

A pipeline system based on fluidization has been constructed to transport iron-ore in slurry form (mixture of five iron ore suspended in water) from Kudremukh ore mines (Karnataka) to Mangalore port. In near future, there is every possibility of transporting coal pieces in slurry form but its economics of operation is to be worked out in detail. This may open new avenues in pipe transport systems.

FAQs

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”How many types of transport are there in India?” answer-0=”five modes” image-0=”” headline-1=”h2″ question-1=”What are the four types of transport in India?” answer-1=”The transport system in India includes Rail transport, Road transport, Air transport, water transport and portal connectivity.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h2″ question-2=”What are transport systems?” answer-2=”Simple definition of a transport system in biology: A transport system is a means by which materials are moved (‘transported’) from an exchange surface or exchange surfaces to cells* located throughout the organism.” image-2=”” headline-3=”h2″ question-3=”What are the different types of transportation systems?” answer-3=”Transport modes are the means of supporting the mobility of passengers and freight. They are mobile transport assets and fall into three basic types; land (road, rail, pipelines), water (shipping), and air.” image-3=”” headline-4=”h2″ question-4=”Which is the cheapest transport in India?” answer-4=”Among different modes of transport, Railways are the cheapest. Trains cover the distance in less time and comparatively, the fare is also less to other modes of transportation. Therefore, Railways is the cheapest mode of transportation.” image-4=”” headline-5=”h2″ question-5=”Which is the major mode of transport in India?” answer-5=”Transport in India consists of transport by land, water and air. Public transport is the primary mode of road transport for most of the Indian citizens, and India’s public transport systems are among the most heavily used in the world.” image-5=”” headline-6=”h2″ question-6=”Which mode of transport is very flexible?” answer-6=”The most flexible transportation mode is ROAD TRANSPORT, especially due to short distances.” image-6=”” headline-7=”h2″ question-7=”Which is the longest means of transport?” answer-7=”Water: The Oldest Means of Transportation.” image-7=”” headline-8=”h2″ question-8=”What is the importance of transport in India?” answer-8=”An efficient transport helps in increasing productivity and enhances competitiveness of the economy. Efficient transport is indispensable to the economic development of nation. There are various modes of transport that include road transport, rail transport, water transport, and air transport.” image-8=”” headline-9=”h2″ question-9=”What are examples of transportation?” answer-9=”Examples of public transport include city buses, trolleybuses, trams (or light rail) and passenger trains, rapid transit (metro/subway/underground, etc.) and ferries. Public transport between cities is dominated by airlines, coaches, and intercity rail.” image-9=”” count=”10″ html=”true” css_class=””]