IMPORTANCE OF ROADS IN INDIA

POOR ROAD DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA IS THE MAIN

REASON FOR THE SLOW DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COUNTRY .

TO AHCHIVE OVERALL ECONOMIC PROGRESS IT IS NECESSARY TO :-

a. Provide adequate transport facilities. b. Connect villages and other district headquarters and
commercial centres with good transport facilities and road networks.

c. Provide Express ways to meet the increasing demand of

uninterrupted movement of fast vehicles .

d. For easy movement of vehicles not only the length but the
quality of the road should also be considered.

IMPORTANCE OF ROADS
Generates employment Paved surface contributes to 40 % savings in vehicle operation
cost.

Revenue from road transport is more than the investment made on

road development plans.

Rs 10,000 crores was the revenue during the sixth five year plan ,
only Rs.3439 crores was the investment made back in 1980 -85

An efficient transport system is a pre- requisite for sustained

economic development.

 The road system also provides last-mile connection for other

modes of transport such as railways, airports, ports and inland waterway transport .

The transport system also plays an important role of promoting the

development of the backward regions and integrating them with the mainstream economy by opening them to trade and investment.

Road infrastructure facilitates movement of men and material,

helps trade and commerce, links industry and agriculture to markets.

The National Highways are the backbone of the road infrastructure

and the major roads in India. They carry most of India's Goods and passenger traffic.

About 65% of freight and 80% passenger traffic is carried by the

roads.

 State highways and major district roads constitute the

secondary and interconnecting roads in India.

Road Transport is vital to India's economy. It enables

the country's transportation sector contribute 4.7 percent of Indias gross domestic product (GDP).

FEW ADVANTAGES OF ROAD TRANSPORT

Road transport has the following advantages.

It is a relatively cheaper mode of transport as compared to other

modes.

Perishable goods can be transported at a faster speed by road

carriers over a short distance.

It is a flexible mode of transport as loading and unloading is

possible at any destination. It provides door-to-door service.

It helps people to travel and carry goods from one place to

another, in places which are not connected by other means of transport like hilly areas.

LIMITATIONS OF ROAD TRANSPORT

It has the following limitations.

Due to limited carrying capacity road transport is not
economical for long distance transportation of goods.

Transportation of heavy goods or goods in bulk by road

involves high cost.

It is affected by adverse weather conditions. Floods,

rain, landslide, etc., sometimes create obstructions to road transport.