Lifelines of National Economy

Transport and Communication systems. They connect production centres with consumption centres and integrate the country.

A 6-lane Super Highway connecting Delhi-Kolkata-Chennai-Mumbai-Delhi. Maintained by NHAI.

Primary road systems linking extreme parts of the country. Maintained by CPWD. (NH-1: Delhi-Amritsar, NH-44: Srinagar-Kanyakumari).

Established in 1960 to maintain roads in border areas. Strategic importance (e.g., Atal Tunnel).

1. Construction cost lower. 2. Negotiate higher gradients (mountains). 3. Door-to-door service. 4. Feeder to other modes.

1. Unmetalled roads unusable in rain. 2. Traffic congestion. 3. narrow bridges/culverts.

Principal mode for freight and passengers. Conducts business, pilgrimage, transport of bulky goods. Binds economic life.

1. Ticketless travel. 2. Theft/damage to property. 3. Chain pulling causes delays.

Used to transport crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas. Initial cost high, running cost minimal. (Solids can go as slurry).

Inland waterways declared as National. NW-1 (Ganga: Allahabad-Haldia). NW-2 (Brahmaputra: Sadiya-Dhubri). Cheapest mode for heavy goods.

95% of India's trade volume (68% value) moves by sea. India has 12 Major and 200 non-major ports.

Visakhapatnam.

Fastest, most comfortable, prestigious mode. Can cover difficult terrains (mountains/deserts/forests/oceans). Crucial for NE India.

Helicopter service providing transport to ONGC and inaccessible areas.

Provides entertainment and creates awareness among masses. Radio (AIR), TV (Doordarshan), Newspapers, Films.

Exchange of goods between countries. Index of economic prosperity.

Difference between export and import. Favourable if Export > Import. Unfavourable if Import > Export.

Foreign tourists bring foreign exchange. Promotes local handicrafts. Helps international understanding.

Gems/Jewellery, Chemicals, Agriculture products, Ores.

Petroleum, Pearls/Stones, Gold, Chemicals, Machinery.

Road network: 5.6 million km (one of largest).

North-South Corridor: Srinagar to Kanyakumari.

East-West Corridor: Silchar to Porbandar.

Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana (Rural roads).

Railways: 16 Zones (now more).

Gauge: Broad (1.676m), Meter (1m), Narrow (0.762/0.610m).

Konkan Railway: Engineering marvel in Western Ghats.

Pipelines: HBJ (Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur).

Kandla (Deendayal Port): Tidal port (relief for Mumbai).

Mumbai: Biggest port.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port: Planned to decongest Mumbai.

Marmagao: Iron ore export (Goa).

New Mangalore: Kudremukh iron ore.

Kochi: Lagoon harbour.

Tuticorin: Natural harbour (TN).

Chennai: Oldest artificial port.

Paradip: Iron ore (Odisha).

Kolkata: Riverine port.

Haldia: Subsidiary to Kolkata.

Air India: National carrier.

Digital India: Umbrella programme for technology.

India has one of largest telecom networks.

Personal communication: Post, Cards, Phone.

First Class Mail: Cards/Envelopes (Airlifted).

Second Class Mail: Books/Newspapers (Surface).

STD: Subscriber Trunk Dialing.

India creates most feature films.

CBFC certifies films.

Medical tourism/Eco-tourism growing.

BRO established

First Train (Mumbai-Thane)

Air Transport Nationalised