Transport and communication

• Transportation has become one of the most important activities because it has helped us in many ways. With the advancement in technology, transportation has become cheaper and faster than ever before.

Introduction

•  Transportation is a comprehensive system facilitating the movement of passengers and goods between locations.
• In India, a diverse range of transportation modes, such as roadways, railways, waterways, airways, and pipelines, are accessible.
• This intricate network is shaped by historical evolution, geographical features, cultural influences, religious factors, and economic circumstances.
• A robust transportation sector plays a pivotal role in fostering the economic growth of a nation and enhancing the overall well-being of its populace.

Modes of Transport

• The categorization of transportation modes can be comprehended through the following divisions.
• The principal modes of world transportation i.e., land, water, air and pipelines are used for inter-regional and intra-regional transport and each one (except pipelines) carries both passengers and freight.
• The significance of a mode depends on the type of goods and services to be transported, the costs of transport and the modes available.

Land Transport

• Ancient civilizations utilized land transport modes, with roadways and railways emerging as primary means.
• Economic and technological advancements led to the development of metalled roads and railways, facilitating the efficient movement of goods and people.
• India boasts one of the world's largest road networks, the leading railway system in Asia, and the second-largest globally.

Roadways

•  Road transport, cost-effective and easily constructible, offers flexibility in connecting farms, fields, factories, and markets.
•  India's extensive road network ranks second globally, handling about 65% of freight and 80% of passenger traffic.
•  National highways, constituting only 2.7% of the network, bear 40% of total road traffic.
•  Most Indian roads are bitumen-based macadamized, with a few national highways featuring concrete surfaces.
•  The Nagpur Plan of 1943 classified roads functionally, with National Highways being a significant category.

National Highways

• National Highways, maintained by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), play a crucial role.
• Sher Shah Suri Marg, historically significant, is designated as NH-1.

• NHAI oversees developmental activities under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP), initiated in 1998.

List of Important National Highways in India

National Highways Development Programme (NHDP)

• The initiation of the National Highways Development Programme (NHDP) dates back to 1998, driven by the goal of creating roads adhering to international standards to ensure the seamless flow of traffic.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

• Executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), an entity operating under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.
•  Established through an Act of Parliament in 1988, NHAI holds the responsibility for the development, upkeep, and administration of national highways, along with related matters.
• Operational since February 1995, the authority appointed a full-time chairman and members, actively engaging in developmental endeavors under the National Highway Development Project (NHDP).

State Highways

• These are designated highways established and maintained by the State Government. Typically, state highways connect crucial cities, towns, and district headquarters within the state, linking them to national highways or the highways of neighboring states. 
• The total length of state highways in India exceeds 179,535 km, with Maharashtra boasting the longest stretch of over 33,000 km and Kerala leading in road density.

Green Highways Policy, 2015

• The Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification, and Maintenance) Policy, introduced in 2015, focuses on mitigating air pollution and dust impact along national highways. This is achieved through the strategic planting of trees and shrubs, serving as natural air pollutant sinks, and preventing soil erosion on embankment slopes.

Setu Bharatam Programme

• Launched on March 4, 2016, with a budget of 102 billion, the Setu Bharatam initiative aims to eliminate railway crossings on all national highways by 2019. 
• This project addresses road safety concerns and underscores the government's commitment to improving infrastructure.

Major District Roads

• Connecting district headquarters with various locations within the district, major district roads fall under the jurisdiction of Zila Parishads or other district authorities. The total length of district roads in India is approximately 612,778 km.

Rural Roads

• Primarily the responsibility of Village Panchayats, rural roads link villages to nearby towns and cities. The total length of rural and other roads in India exceeds 3,622,228 km.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• Introduced in 2000 by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PMGSY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme focused on developing and maintaining roads. These roads are under the jurisdiction of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Expressways

• Considered the finest roads in India, expressways feature controlled entrance and exit ramps. 
• The National Expressway Authority of India oversees their construction and maintenance. 
• The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, set to be the world's longest, is expected to be completed by March 2023, spanning 1380 km as an eight-lane expressway with the potential for expansion to 12 lanes based on traffic volume. 
• The expressway, equipped with wayside amenities, is noteworthy for featuring animal overpasses, facilitating unrestricted wildlife movement—a unique feature in Asia and the second globally.

Major Expressways

Border Roads

• Border roads fall under the purview of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), established in 1960 to expedite economic development and enhance defe