c
 





The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, India's first expressway

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is the longest and tallest cable-stayed bridge in India.

c
      


is an important part of the nation's economy. Since the
economic liberalisation of the 1990s, development of infrastructure within the country has
progressed at a rapid pace, and today there is a wide variety of modes of transport by land, water
and air. However, the relatively low GDP of India has meant that access to these modes of
transport has not been uniform.

Motor vehicle penetration is low with only 13 million cars on the nation's roads.[1] In addition,
only around 10% of Indian households own a motorcycle.[2] At the same time, the Automobile
industry in India is rapidly growing with an annual production of over 2.6 million vehicles[3] and
vehicle volume is expected to rise greatly in the future.[4]

In the interim however, public transport still remains the primary mode of transport for most of
the population, and India's public transport systems are among the most heavily utilised in the
world.[5]India's rail network is the longest and fourth most heavily used system in the world
transporting over 6 billion passengers and over 350 million tons of freight annually.[5][6]

Despite ongoing improvements in the sector, several aspects of the transport sector are still
riddled with problems due to outdated infrastructure, lack of investment, corruption and a
burgeoning population. The demand for transport infrastructure and services has been rising by
around 10% a year[5] with the current infrastructure being unable to meet these growing
demands. According to recent estimates by Goldman Sachs, India will need to spend US$1.7
Trillion on infrastructure projects over the next decade to boost economic growth of which
US$500 Billion is budgeted to be spent during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.

Transport in the Republic of India is an important part of the nation's economy.Today in the
country we have a wide variety of modes of transport by land, water and air. However, the
relatively low GDP of India has meant that access to these modes of transport has not been
uniform.India¶s transport sector is large and diverse, it caters to the needs of 1.1 5billion
people.In 2007, the sector contributed about 5.5 percent to the nation¶s GDP.Since the early
1990s, India's growing economy has witnessed a rise in demand for transport infrastructure and
services.The nation has just 13 million cars on its roads which is just over 1% of the country¶s
population.In addition only 10% of the Indian households own a motorcycle.In India, public
transport still remains the primary mode of transport.Indian railways is the largest and fourth
most heavily utilized system in the world

The various means of transportation in India has bought the country closer. It not only caters to
the need of 1.1 billion people in India but, also provides comfort and convenience. Traveling is a
part of our daily lives. People travel for business purpose, education purpose and vacation
purpose. The transport system in India is doing a great job by easing the pain of covering vast
expanse of land. As far as the development is concern, India Transportation is growing at a faster
pace.

c





A photo of a palanquin at Varanasi. C. 1890s

A bullock cart being used to transport sugarcane in rural Maharashtra.

A cycle rickshaw on the streets of Delhi

Tram in Kolkata





In ancient times, people often covered long distances on foot. For instance, Adi Sankaracharya
travelled all over India.[8] Walking still constitutes an important mode of transport in urban
areas.[9] In the city of Mumbai, to further improve the transit conditions for pedestrians, the
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, has commenced the construction of more
than 50 skywalks,[10][11] as part of the Mumbai Skywalk project.






Palanquins also known as |
, were one of the luxurious methods used by the rich and
noblemen for travelling. This was primarily used in the past to carry a deity or idol of a god, and
many temples have sculptures of god being carried in a |
. Later on, it was primarily used by
European noblemen and ladies from the upper classes of society prior to the advent of the
railways in India.[12] Modern use of the palanquin is limited to being an ostentatious method for
the bride to enter Indian weddings.





 



Bullock carts have been traditionally used for transport, especially in rural India. The advent of
the British saw drastic improvements in the horse carriages which were used for transport since
early days. Today, they are used in smaller towns and are referred as Tonga or bugg. Victorias
of Mumbai are still used for tourist purposes, but horse carriages are now rarely found in the
metro cities of India.[13] In recent years some cities have banned the movement of bullock carts
and other slow moving vehicles on the main roads.[14][15][16]




Bicycles are a common mode of travel in much of India. More people can now afford to own a
cycle than ever before. In 2005, more than 40% of Indian households owned a bicycle, with
ownership rates ranging from around 30% to 70% at the state level.[2] Along with walking,
cycling accounts for 50 to 75 % of the commuter trips for those in the informal sector in urban
areas.[9]

Even though India is the second largest producer of bicycles in the world,[17] a significant
prejudice against bicycle riding for transport exists in some segments of the population, generally
stemming from the status symbol aspect of the motor vehicle.[17] In India, the word "bike"
generally refers to motorcycle, and "cycle" refers to bicycle.[17]

Pune was the first city in India to have dedicated lanes for cycles.[18] It was built for the 2008
Commonwealth Youth Games.

However, recent developments in Delhi suggest that bicycle riding is fast becoming popular in
the metro cities of India. The Delhi government has decided to construct separate bicycle lanes
on all major roads to combat pollution and ease traffic congestion.[19]





 


This type of transport is still available in Kolkata wherein a person pulls the rickshaw by hand.
The Government of West Bengal proposed a ban on these rickshaws in 2005 describing them as
"inhuman".[20] Though a bill aiming to address this issue, termed as 'Calcutta Hackney Carriage
Bill', was passed by the West Bengal Assembly in 2006, it has not been implemented yet.[21] The
Government of West Bengal is working on an amendment of this bill to avoid the loopholes that
got exposed when the Hand-pulled Rickshaw Owner's Association filed a petition against the
bill.[21]


  


Cycle rickshaws were introduced into India in the 1940s.[22] They are bigger than a tricycle
where two people sit on an elevated seat at the back and a person pedals from the front. In the
late 2000s, they were banned in several cities for causing traffic congestion.[23][24][25] Cycle
rickshaws have been a feature of Delhi streets since Indian independence in 1947, providing the
cheapest way around the capital. The Delhi Police recently submitted an affidavit against plying
of cycle rickshaws to ease traffic congestion in the city but it was dismissed by the Delhi High
court.[26] In addition, environmentalists have supported the retention of cycle rickshaws as a non-
polluting and inexpensive mode of transport.[27]


c


Main article: Tram transport in India

Kolkata is the only Indian city with a tram

The advent of the British saw trams being introduced in many cities including Mumbai and
Kolkata. They are still in use in Kolkata and provide an emission-free means of transport. The
nationalized Calcutta Tramways Company is in the process of upgrading the existing tramway
network at a cost of 24 crore (US$5.33 million).[28]


!

 

Public transport is the predominant mode of motorised local travel in cities.[9] This is
predominantly by road, since commuter rail services are available only in the four metropolitan
cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata, while dedicated city bus services are known to
operate in at least 17 cities with a population of over one million.[29] Intermediate public
transport modes like tempos and cycle rickshaws assume importance in medium size cities.[9]
However, the share of buses is negligible in most Indian cities as compared to personalized
vehicles, and two-wheelers and cars account for more than 80 percent of the vehicle population
in most large cities.[29]

Traffic in Indian cities generally moves slowly, where traffic jams and accidents are very
common.[30] India has very poor records on road safely²around 90,000 people die from road
accidents every year.[31] .At least 13 people die every hour in road accidents in the country ,also
in the year 2007 road accidents claimed more than 130,000 lives, overtaking China.[32][33]

A Reader's Digest study of traffic congestion in Asian cities ranked several Indian cities within
the Top Ten for worst traffic.[30]



 




Buses on the Delhi BRTS

Buses take up over 90% of public transport in Indian cities,[34] and serve as a cheap and
convenient mode of transport for all classes of society. Services are mostly run by state
government owned transport corporations.[29] However, after the economic liberalisation, many
state transport corporations have introduced various facilities like low-floor buses for the
disabled and air-conditioned buses to attract private car owners to help decongest roads.[35][36]
Bengaluru was the first city in India to introduce Volvo B7RLE intra-city buses in India in
January 2006.[37][38][39]

New initiatives like Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and air conditioned buses have been taken
by the various state government to improve the bus public transport systems in cities. Bus Rapid
Transit systems already exist in Pune, Delhi and Ahmedabad with new ones coming up in
Vishakhapatnam and Hyderabad. High Capacity buses can be found in cities like Mumbai,
Bengaluru, Nagpur and Chennai. Bengaluru is the first Indian city to have an air-conditionedbus
stop, located near Cubbon Park. It was built by Airtel.[40] The APSRTC has introduced Buses
with two coaches.These Buses are allowed to operate only in the Greater Hyderabad. The city of
Chennai houses Asia's largest bus terminus, the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus.[41] In 2009, the
Government of Karnataka and the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation flagged off a
pro-poor bus service called the Atal Sarige. The service aims to provide low-cost connectivity to
the economically backward sections of the society to the nearest major bus station.[42][43]


" 


Main article: Autorickshaw

Autorickshaw in Mumbai

An auto rickshaw is a three wheeler vehicle for hire that has no doors and is generally
characterised by a small cabin for the driver in the front and a seat for passengers in the rear.[44]
Generally it is painted in yellow, green or black colour and has a black, yellow or green canopy
on the top, but designs vary considerably from place to place.

In Mumbai and other metropolitan cities, 'autos' or 'ricks' as they are popularly known have
regulated metered fares. A recent law prohibits auto rickshaw drivers from charging more than
the specified fare, or charging night-fare before midnight, and also prohibits the driver from
refusing to go to a particular location. Mumbai is also the only city which prohibits these
vehicles from entering a certain part of the city, in this case being South Mumbai.[45] In Chennai,
it is common to see autorickshaw drivers demand more than the specified fare and refuse to use
fare meter [46]

Airports and railway stations at many cities such as Bengaluru, and Hubballi-Dharwad provide a
facility of prepaid auto booths, where the passenger pays a fixed fare as set by the authorities for
various locations.[47]


c
#

Main article: Taxis in India

Radio Taxi in Bengaluru

Most of the traditional taxicabs in India are either Premier Padmini or Hindustan Ambassador
cars.[48] In recent years, cars such as Chevrolet Tavera, Maruti Esteem, Maruti Omni, Mahindra
Logan, Tata Indica, Toyota Innova, Hyundai Santro and Tata Indigo have become fairly popular
among taxi operators. The livery of the taxis in India varies from state-to-state. In Delhi and
Maharashtra, most taxicabs have yellow-black livery while in West Bengal, taxis have yellow
livery. Private taxi operators are not required to have a specific livery. However, they are
required by law to be registered as commercial vehicles.

Depending on the city/state, taxis can either be hailed or hired from taxi-stands. In cities such as
Bengaluru, Hyderabad,taxis need to be hired over phone,[49] whereas in cities like Kolkata and
Mumbai, taxis can be hailed on the street. According to government of India regulations, all taxis
are required to have a fare-meter installed.[50] There are additional surcharges for luggage, late-
night rides and toll taxes are to be paid by the passenger. Since 2006, radio taxis have become
increasingly popular with the public due to reasons of safety and convenience.[51]
In cities and localities where taxis are expensive or do not ply as per the government or
municipal regulated fares, people use share taxis. These are normal taxis which carry one or
more passengers travelling to destinations either en route to the final destination, or near the final
destination. The passengers are charged according to the number of people with different
destinations. A similar system exists for autorickshaws, known as share autos.

The city of Mumbai will soon be the first city in India, to have an "in-taxi" magazine, titled
MumBaee, which will be issued to taxis which are part of the Mumbai Taximen's Union. The
magazine debuted on 13 July 2009.[52]


$ 


Delhi Metro, operational since 2002

The present suburban railway services in India are extremely limited and are operational only in
Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi.[29] The Mumbai Suburban Railway is the first rail system
in India which began services in Mumbai in 1867, transports 6.3 million passengers daily and
has the highest passenger density in the world.[53]

Mumbai Suburban Railway, the lifeline of Mumbai

The first rapid transit system in India, the Kolkata Suburban Railway, was established in Kolkata
in 1854.[54] Its first service ran between Howrah and Hooghly covering a distance of 38.6 km
(24 mi). Kolkata was the first city in India to possess a subterreanean rapid transport system, the
6
   , whose operations commenced in 1984.[55] The Delhi Metro followed in 2002 and
has carried over a billion commuters in seven years since its inauguration.[56] The third Metro
system in India the Bangalore Metro has begun its trials and will soon be starting its commercial
operations. Apart from these, Kolkata has a circular rail line and Chennai has an elevated rail
transit called MRTS. Rapid transit systems are also under construction in Hyderabad, Bengaluru,
Chennai, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

Rapid transit systems have been proposed in

[57] [58] [59] [59] [60] [61]
Thane, Pune, Kanpur, Lucknow, Amritsar and Kochi. Mumbai is presently
building India's first urban monorail. [62] There are also monorail systems being planned in
Kolkata and in Delhi.[63] The Konkan Railway Corporation had patented a suspended monorail
system called the Skybus Metro in Margao,[64] but this is yet to be implemented anywhere on a
commercial scale following an accident in 2004.[65] A two-track elevated corridor has been
proposed above the existing Western Railway line between the stations of Churchgate and Virar
in Mumbai for air-conditioned EMUs.[66]


c 
About 3.1% of Indian households own a motorcycle; annual sales of motorcycles are expected to
reach 10 million by 2010.[67]

Motorised two-wheelers like scooters, small capacity motorcycles and mopeds are very popular a
mode of transport due to their fuel efficiency and ease of use in congested traffic. The number of
two-wheelers sold is several times that of cars. There were 4.75 crore (47.5 million) powered two
wheelers in India in 2003 compared with just 86 lakh (8.6 million) cars.[68]Hero Honda, Honda,
TVS Motors, Bajaj Auto and Mahindra 2wheeler are the largest two-wheeler companies in terms
of market-share.[69]Royal Enfield, an iconic brand name in the country, manufactures different
variants of the British Bullet motorcycle which is a classic motorcycle that is still in
production.[70]

Manufacture of scooters in India started when ãu
b


uc    ã
, set up at
Mumbai and incorporated in 1949, began assembling Innocenti-built Lambretta scooters in India
post independence. They eventually acquired licence for the Li150 series model, of which they
began full-fledged production from the early sixties onwards. In 1972, c    ,
a state-run enterprise based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, bought the entire manufacturing rights of
the last Innocenti Lambretta model. API has infrastructural facilities at Mumbai, Aurangabad,
and Chennai but has been non-operational since 2002. SIL stopped producing scooters in 1998.

Motorcycles and scooters can be rented in many cities. Wearing protective headgear is
mandatory for both the rider and the pillion-rider in most cities.


"

Tata Nano - the world's cheapest car

Private vehicles account for 30% of the total transport demand in urban areas of India. An
average of 963 new private vehicles are registered every day in Delhi alone.[71] The number of
automobiles produced in India rose from 63 lakh (6.3 million) in 2002-03 to 1.1 crore (11.2
million) in 2008-09.[72] However, India still has a very low rate of car ownership. When
comparing car ownership between BRIC developing countries, it is on a par with China,[68] and
exceeded by Brazil and Russia.[73]

Compact cars, especially hatchbacks predominate due to affordability, fuel efficiency,

congestion, and lack of parking space in most cities. Maruti, Hyundai and Tata Motors are the
most popular brands in the order of their market share. The Ambassador once had a monopoly
but is now an icon of pre-liberalisation India, and is still used by taxi companies. Maruti 800
launched in 1984 created the first revolution in the Indian auto sector because of its low pricing.
It had the highest market share until 2004, when it was overtaken by other low cost models from
Maruti such as the Alto and the Wagon R, the Indica from Tata Motors and the Santro from
Hyundai. Over the 20 year period since its introduction, about 24 lakh (2.4 million) units of the
Maruti 800 have been sold.[74] However, with the launch of the Tata Nano, the least expensive
production car in the world,[75]
India is also known for a variety of indigenous vehicles made in villages out of simple motors
and vehicle spare-parts. A few of these innovations are the Jugaad,  u ,   , | 
 and the 
.[76]

In the city of Bengaluru, Radio One and the Bangalore Traffic Police, launched a carpooling
drive which has involved celebrities such as Robin Uthappa, and Rahul Dravid encouraging the
public to carpool.[77][78][79] The initiative got a good response, and by the end of May 2009,
10,000 people are said to have carpooled in the city.[80]


%&

Mahindra Scorpio Third Generation

The first utility vehicle in India was manufactured by Mahindra and Mahindra. It was a copy of
the original Jeep and was manufactured under licence.[81] The vehicle was an instant hit and
made Mahindra one of the top companies in India. The Indian Army and police extensively use
Mahindra vehicles along with Maruti Gypsys for transporting personnel and equipment.

Tata Motors, the automobile manufacturing arm of the Tata Group, launched its first utility
vehicle, the Tata Sumo, in 1994.[82][83] The Sumo, owing to its then-modern design, captured a
31% share of the market within two years.[84] The Tempo trax from Force Motors till recently
was ruling the rural areas. Sports utility vehicles now form a sizeable part of the passenger
vehicle market.[85] Models from Tata, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Chevrolet and other brands are
available.[86]


!


 






Main articles: Rail transport in India and Indian Railways

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a World Heritage Site,[87] and one of the few steam
engines in operation in India.

Budgam railway station on the Kashmir Railway, the second highest in the world.

Trucks on the Konkan RailwayRolling Highway


  




Map showing the Indian rail network and travelling times between major stations

 
  is a commonly used mode of long-distance transportation in 

. Almost all
rail operations in India are handled by a state-owned organisation, Indian Railways, Ministry of
Railways. The rail network traverses the length and breadth of the country, covering a total
length of 64,015 kilometres (39,777 mi).[1] It is said to be the 4th largest railway network in the
world,[2] transporting over 6 billion passengers and over 350 million tonnes of freight annually.[1]
Its operations cover twenty eight states and three union territories and also provide limited
service to Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Both passenger and freight traffic has seen steady
growth, and as per the 2009 budget presented by the Railway Minister, the Indian Railways
carried over 7 billion passengers in 2009

Railways were introduced to India in 1853,[3] and by the time of India's independence in 1947
they had grown to forty-two rail systems. In 1951 the systems were nationalised as one unit²
Indian Railways²to form one of the largest networks in the world. The broad gauge is the
majority and original standard gauge in India; more recent networks of metre and narrow gauge
are being replaced by broad gauge under Project Unigauge. The steam locomotives have been
replaced over the years with diesel and electric locomotives.

Locomotives manufactured at several places in India are assigned codes identifying their gauge,
kind of power and type of operation. Colour signal lights are used as signals, but in some remote
areas of operation, the older semaphores and disc-based signalling are still in use.
Accommodation classes range from general through first class AC. Trains have been classified
according to speed and area of operation. All trains are officially identified by a five-digit code
(changed from four digits from 20th December 2010[4]), though many are commonly known by
unique names. The ticketing system has been computerised to a large extent, and there are
reserved as well as unreserved categories of tickets.

Indian Railways is one of the largest railways under single management. It carries some 17
million passengers and 2 million tons of freight a day and is one of the world¶s largest
employer.The railways play a leading role in carrying passengers and cargo across India's vast
territory.The trains were introduced by the British in 1853.The Indian railways improved a lot
from then on to become the one of the longest railway networks in the world.There are 16
railway zones in India.There are almost 8000 railway stations in the country.The total route
length of the railway network is 64,061 km (39,806 mi).About 46% of the railway route is
electrified.The Indian railways uses 4 gauges: broad gauge, standard gauge, meter gauge,
narrow gauge.

 

Main article: History of rail transport in India

Further information: 2010 in rail transport in India

Extent of Great Indian Peninsular Railway network in 1870. The GIPR was one of the largest rail
companies at that time.

Map of the Madras and South Mahratta Railway lines in 1914.

Extent of the railway network in 1909.

Commemorative logo released by the Indian Railways in 2003 to mark 150 years of its existence.

A plan for a rail system in India was first put forward in 1832. The first rail line of the Indian
sub-continent came up near 

 
 (presently in Chennai) in Madras Presidency
in 1836 as an experimental line.[5][6] In 1837, a 3.5-mile long rail line was established between
Red Hills and stone quarries near St. Thomas Mount.[7] In 1844, the Governor-General of
IndiaLord Hardinge allowed private entrepreneurs to set up a rail system in India. The East India
Company (and later the British Government) encouraged new railway companies backed by
private investors under a scheme that would provide land and guarantee an annual return of up to
five percent during the initial years of operation. The companies were to build and operate the
lines under a 99 year lease, with the government having the option to buy them earlier.[8]

Two new railway companies, Great Indian Peninsular Railway (GIPR) and East Indian Railway
(EIR), were created in 1853-54 to construct and operate two 'experimental' lines near Bombay
and Calcutta respectively.[8] The first train in India had become operational on 22 December
1851 for localised hauling of canal construction material in Roorkee.[9] A year and a half later, on
16 April 1853, the first passenger train service was inaugurated between Bori Bunder in Bombay
and Thane. Covering a distance of 34 kilometres (21 mi), it was hauled by three locomotives,
 b, , and u
 .[10]

In 1854 Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor-General of India, formulated a plan to construct a
network of trunk lines connecting the principal regions of India. Encouraged by the government
guarantees, investment flowed in and a series of new rail companies were established, leading to
rapid expansion of the rail system in India.[11] Soon various native states built their own rail
systems and the network spread to the regions that became the modern-day states of Assam,
Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. The route mileage of this network increased from
1,349 kilometres (838 mi) in 1860 to 25,495 kilometres (15,842 mi) in 1880 - mostly radiating
inland from the three major port cities of Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta.[12] Most of the railway
construction was done by Indian companies. The railway line from Lahore to Delhi was done
B.S.D. Bedi and Sons (Baba Shib Dayal Bedi), this included the building of the Jamuna Bridge.
By 1895, India had started building its own locomotives, and in 1896 sent engineers and
locomotives to help build the Uganda Railway.[c  ]
At the beginning of the twentieth century India had a multitude of rail services with diverse
ownership and management, operating on broad, metre and narrow gauge networks.[13] In 1900
the government took over the GIPR network, while the company continued to manage it. With
the arrival of the First World War, the railways were used to transport troops and foodgrains to
the port city of Bombay and Karachi en route to UK, Mesopotamia, East Africa etc. By the end
of the First World War, the railways had suffered immensely and were in a poor state.[14] In
1923, both GIPR and EIR were nationalized with the state assuming both ownership and
management control.[13]

The Second World War severely crippled the railways as rolling stock was diverted to the
Middle East, and the railway workshops were converted into munitions workshops.[15] After
independence in 1947, forty-two separate railway systems, including thirty-two lines owned by
the former Indian princely states, were amalgamated as a single unit, which was christened as the
   
 . The existing rail networks were abandoned in favour of zones in 1951 and a
total of six zones came into being in 1952.[13]

As the economy of India improved, almost all railway production units were 'indigenised'
(produced in India). By 1985, steam locomotives were phased out in favour of diesel and electric
locomotives. The entire railway reservation system was streamlined with computerisation
between 1987 and 1995.

In 2003, the Indian Railways celebrated 150 years of its existence. Various zones of the railways
celebrated the event by running heritage trains on routes similar to the ones on which the first
trains in the zones ran. The Ministry of Railways commemorated the event by launching a
special logo celebrating the completion of 150 years of service.[16][17] Also launched was a new
mascot for the 150th year celebrations, named "Bholu the guard elephant".[18]


!&

Main article: Indian locomotives

A DMU Train

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, one of the oldest running steam locomotives, in India

The government has spent a lot of money to boost foreign direct investment. Seen here is a multi
billion dollar rail link in central Kashmir, 2nd highest in the world

Indian Railways use a specialised classification code for identifying its locomotives. The code is
usually three or four letters, followed by a digit identifying the model (either assigned
chronologically or encoding the power rating of the locomotive).[19] This could be followed by
other codes for minor variations in the base model.

The three (or four) letters are, from left to right, the gauge of tracks on which the locomotive
operates, the type of power source or fuel for the locomotive, and the kind of operation the
locomotive can be used for.[19] The gauge is coded as 'W' for broad gauge, 'Y' for metre gauge,
'Z' for the 762 mm narrow gauge and 'N' for the 610 mm narrow gauge. The power source code
is 'D' for diesel, 'A' for AC traction, 'C' for DC traction and 'CA' for dual traction (AC/DC). The
operation letter is 'G' for freight-only operation, 'P' for passenger trains-only operation, 'M' for
mixed operation (both passenger and freight) and 'S' for shunting operation. A number alongside
it indicates the power rating of the engine.[19] For example '4' would indicate a power rating of
above 4,000 hp (2,980 kW) but below 5,000 hp (3,730 kW). A letter following the number is
used to give an exact rating. For instance 'A' would be an additional 100 horsepower (75 kW); 'B'
200 hp (150 kW) and so on. For example, a WDM-3D is a broad-gauge, diesel-powered, mixed
mode (suitable for both freight and passenger duties) and has a power rating of 3400 hp
(2.5 MW).

The most common diesel engine used is the WDM-2, which entered production in 1962. This
2,600 hp (1.9 MW) locomotive was designed by Alco and manufactured by the Diesel
Locomotive Works, Varanasi, and is used as a standard workhorse.[20] It is being replaced by
more modern engines, ranging in power up to 4,000 hp (3 MW).

There is a wide variety of electric locomotives used, ranging between 2,800 to 6,350 hp (2.1 to
4.7 MW).[20] They also accommodate the different track voltages in use. Most electrified sections
in the country use 25,000 volt AC, but railway lines around Mumbai use the older 1,500 V DC
system.[21] Thus, Mumbai and surrounding areas are the only places where one can find AC/DC
dual locomotives of the WCAM and WCAG series. All other electric locomotives are pure AC
ones from the WAP, WAG and WAM series. Some specialised electric multiple units on the
Western Railway also use dual-power systems. There are also some very rare battery-powered
locomotives, primarily used for shunting and yard work.

The only steam engines still in service in India operate on two heritage lines (Darjeeling and
Ooty), and on the tourist train

c  
.[22] Plans are afoot to re-convert the Neral-
Matheran to steam. The oldest steam engine in the world in regular service, the Fairy Queen,
operates between Delhi and Alwar.


'


See also: Railway signal and Railway signalling

The Indian Railways makes use of colour signal lights, but in some remote areas of operation,
the older semaphores and discs-based signalling (depending on the position or colour) are still in
use.[23] Except for some high-traffic sections around large cities and junctions, the network does
not use automatic block systems. However, the signals at stations are almost invariably
interlocked with the setting of points (routes) and so safety does not depend on the skill of the
station masters. With the planned introduction of Cab signalling/Anti collision devices the
element of risk on account of drivers overshooting signals will also be eliminated.

Coloured signalling makes use of multi-coloured lighting and in many places is automatically
controlled. There are three modes:[23]

á? Two aspect signalling, which uses a red (bottom) and green (top) lamp
á? Three aspect signalling, which uses an additional amber lamp in the centre
á? Four (multiple) aspect signalling makes use of four lamps, the fourth is amber and is
placed above the other three.

Multiple aspect signals, by providing several intermediate speed stages between 'clear' and 'on',
allow high-speed trains sufficient time to brake safely if required. This becomes very important
as train speeds rise. Without multiple-aspect signals, the stop signals have to be placed very far
apart to allow sufficient braking distance and this reduces track utilisation. At the same time,
slower trains can also be run closer together on track with multiple aspect signals.

Semaphores make use of a mechanical arm to indicate the line condition. Several subtypes are
used:[23]

á? Two aspect lower quadrant

á? Three aspect modified lower quadrant
á? Multiple aspect upper quadrant
á? Disc-based: These signals are located close to levers used to operate points. They are all
two-aspect signals.


 


The Chittaranjan Locomotive Works in Chittaranjan makes electric locomotives. The Diesel
Locomotive Works in Varanasi makes diesel locomotives. The Integral Coach Factory in
Perambur makes integral coaches. These have a monocoque construction, and the floor is an
integral unit with the undercarriage. The Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala also makes coaches.
The Rail Wheel Factory at Yelahanka manufactures wheels and axles. Some electric locomotives
have been supplied by BHEL, Jhansi, and locomotive components are manufactured in several
other plants around the country.[19]


(
 

The Secunderabad Railway Station is one of the major stations in India

Trains are sorted into various categories that dictate the number of stops along their route, the
priority they enjoy on the network, and the fare structure. Each express train is identified by a
five-digit number, the first digit as 1 for long-distance Express trains. If the first digit is 2, then
the train is a Special. The first digit as 5 denotes a passenger train. The second digit indicates the
zone that operates the train, the third the division within the zone that controls the train and is
responsible for its regular maintenance and cleanliness, and the last two digits are the train's
serial number.[24] The system was changed from four digits from 20th December 2010[4], in order
to accommodate an increasing number of trains.

For super-fast trains, the second digit is always 2 (the first remains 1),[24] the third digit is the
zone, the fourth is the division and only the last digit is the serial number within the division.
Trains travelling in opposite directions along the same route are usually labelled with
consecutive numbers.[24] However, there is considerable variation in train numbers and some
zones, such as Central Railway, has a less systematic method for numbering trains.[24] Most
express trains also have a unique name that is usually exotic and taken from landmarks, famous
people, rivers and so on.[25][26]






Trains are classified by their average speed.[27] A faster train has fewer stops ("halts") than a
slower one and usually caters to long-distance travel.

c
 ) 

1 '


 The Shatabdi trains are AC intercity seater-type trains for day travel.
*# 

Shatabdis are the fastest trains of India with Bhopal Shatabdi being the
+
 '


fastest of all. The Janshatabdi trains are AC/Non-AC seating train for
*#  day travel.

2
,

 These are all air-conditioned trains linking major cities to New Delhi.
*#  The Rajdhanis have high priority and are one of the fastest trains in
India, travelling at about 140 km/h (87 mph). There are only a few stops
on a Rajdhani route.

3 Duronto Express These are the non-stop point to point rail services (except for operational
stops) introduced for the first time in 2009. These trains connect the
metros and major state capitals of India and are faster than Rajdhani
Expresses. The Duronto services consists of three classes of
accommodation, namely, first AC, two-tier AC, three-tier AC.

4 ' 
 These are trains that have an average speed greater than 55 km/h
*#  (34 mph). Tickets for these trains have an additional super-fast
surcharge.

5 *# 

These are the most common kind of trains in India. They have more
$

 stops than their superfast counterparts, but they stop only at relatively
important intermediate stations.
6 These are slow trains that stop at most stations along the route and are

 

the cheapest trains. The trains generally have unreserved seating
-

 accommodation but some night trains have sleeper and 3A
accommodation.

7 ' 
 These trains operate in urban areas, usually stop at all stations and have

 unreserved seating accommodation.


' 



The Delhi Metro railway

Chennai MRTS

Many cities have their own dedicated suburban networks to cater to commuters. Currently,
suburban networks operate in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune
and Lucknow-Kanpur. Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Lucknow-Kanpur do not have dedicated
suburban tracks but share the tracks with long distance trains. New Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai
have their own metro networks, namely the New Delhi Metro, the Kolkata Metro,and the
Chennai MRTS, with dedicated tracks mostly laid on a flyover.

Mumbai's suburban trains handle 6.3 million commuters daily.[28]

Suburban trains that handle commuter traffic are mostly electric multiple units. They usually
have nine coaches or sometimes twelve to handle rush hour traffic. One unit of an EMU train
consists of one power car and two general coaches. Thus a nine coach EMU is made up of three
units having one power car at each end and one at the middle. The rakes in Mumbai run on direct
current, while those elsewhere use alternating current.[29] A standard coach is designed to
accommodate 96 seated passengers, but the actual number of passengers can easily double or
triple with standees during rush hour.


c

A ticket reservation office in Guntur Division.

India has some of the lowest train fares in the world, and passenger traffic is heavily subsidised
by more expensive higher class fares.[30] Until the late 1980s, Indian Railway ticket reservations
were done manually. In late 1987, the Railways started using a computerised ticketing system.
The entire ticketing system went online in 1995 to provide up to date information on status and
availability. Today the ticketing network is computerised to a large extent, with the exception of
some remote places. Computerized tickets can be booked for any two points in the country.
Tickets can also be booked through the internet and via mobile phones, though this method
carries an additional surcharge.

Discounted tickets are available for senior citizens (above sixty years) and some other categories
of passengers including the disabled, students, sportspersons, persons afflicted by serious
diseases, or persons appearing for competitive examinations. One compartment of the lowest
class of accommodation is earmarked for ladies in every passenger carrying train. Some berths or
seats in sleeper class and second class are also earmarked for ladies.[31] Season tickets permitting
unlimited travel on specific sections or specific trains for a specific time period may also be
available. Foreign tourists can buy an Indrail Pass,[32] which is modeled on the Eurail Pass,
permitting unlimited travel in India for a specific time period.

An Indian Railway Ticket from Chennai to Vijayawada by Howrah Mail.

For long-distance travel, reservation of a berth can be done for comfortable travel up to 90 days
prior to the date of intended travel.[31] Details such as the name, age and concession (if eligible)
are required and are recorded on the ticket. The ticket price usually includes the base fare, which
depends on the classification of the train (example: super-fast surcharge if the train is classified
as a super-fast), the class in which one wishes to travel and the reservation charge for overnight
journeys.

If a seat is not available, then the ticket is given a wait listed number; else the ticket is c 
,
and a berth number is printed on the ticket. A person receiving a wait listed ticket must wait until
there are enough cancellations to enable him to move up the list and obtain a confirmed
ticket.[31][32] If his ticket is not confirmed on the day of departure, he may not board the train.
Some of the tickets are assigned to the RAC or Reservation against Cancellation, which is
between the waiting list and the confirmed list.[31][32] These allow the ticket holder to board the
train and obtain an allotted seat decided by a ticket collector, after the ticket collector has
ascertained that there is a vacant (absentee) seat.

Reserved Railway Tickets can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and
Tourism Corporation Limited,[33] and also through mobile Phones and SMS. Tickets booked
through this site are categorised in to iTickets and eTickets. iTickets are booked by a passenger
and then printed and delivered to the passenger for carrying during journey. eTickets are printed
by the passenger and carried while travelling. While traveling on an eTicket, one must carry one
of the authorised valid Photo Identity Cards. Cancellation of eTickets are also done online,
without the requirement for the passenger to go to any counter. Unreserved tickets are available
for purchase on the platform at any time before departure. An unreserved ticket holder may only
board the general compartment class. All suburban networks issue unreserved tickets valid for a
limited time period. For frequent commuters, a season pass (monthly or quarterly) guarantees
unlimited travel between two stops.


  



India has rail links with Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.[34] It also plans to install a rail system
in southern Bhutan. A move to link the railways of India and Sri Lanka never materialised.

Before the Partition of India there were eight rail links between what are now India and Pakistan.
However, currently there are only two actively maintained rail links between the two countries.
The first one is at Wagah in Punjab. The 
 u  |  plies this route from Amritsar in
India to Lahore in Pakistan.[34] The second one, the  | , opened in 2006 runs between
Munabao (in Rajasthan in India) and Khokhrapar (in Sindh in Pakistan). Other discused links are
Ferozepur±Samasata, Ferozepur±Lahore, Amritsar±Lahore, Amritsar±Sialkot and Jammu±
Sialkot.[34][35]

After the creation of East Pakistan (later Bangladesh), many trains that used to run between
Assam and Bengal had to be rerouted through the Chicken's Neck. As of March 2010, there
exists one passenger link between India and Bangladesh, the    | , which plies
between Kolkata and Dhaka twice a week.[36] A metre gauge link exists between Mahisasan
(Mohishashon) and Shahbazpur. Another link is between Radhikapur and Birol. These two links
are used occasionally for freight.[34][35] A rail link between Akhaura in Bangladesh and Agartala
in India has also been proposed.[37][38]

There are two links between India and Nepal: Raxaul Jn., Bihar±Sirsiya, Parsa and Jaynagar,
Bihar±Khajuri, Dhanusa.[35] The former is broad gauge, while the latter is narrow gauge.

Rail links between India and neighbouring countries are not well-developed. Two trains operate
to Pakistan - the 
 u |  between Delhi and Lahore, and the  |  between
Jodhpur and Karachi. Bangladesh is connected by a bi-weekly train, the    | .
Nominal rail links to Nepal exist ² passenger services between Jaynagar and Bijalpura, and
freight services between Raxaul and Birganj.[102]

No rail link exists at present with Myanmar, but a railway line is to be built through from Jiribam
(in Manipur) to Tamu through Imphal and Moreh.[103] The construction of this missing link, as
per the feasibility study conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs through RITES Ltd, is
estimated to cost 2,941 crore (US$652.9 million).[104] Rail links with Bhutan have been
proposed. No rail link exists with either China or Sri Lanka,[105] however in the disputed region
of Gilgit-Baltistan, the current controller of this area, Pakistan has proposed a rail link with
China across the Khunjerab Pass.


 


 á? Indian Railways has planned to install a rail system in southern Bhutan that would be
connected to India.

á? On April 9, 2010, Union Minister of India, Shashi Tharoor announced that the central
government is considering a rail link from Manipur to Vietnam via Myanmar.[39]

á? Indian Railways and rail authorities in China are interested in constructing a high-speed
rail link that would link New Delhi with Kunming, China via Myanmar[40]


 &




Though the Indian Railways enjoys a near monopoly in India, a few private railways do exist,
left over from the days of the Raj, usually small sections on private estates, etc. There are also
some railway lines owned and operated by companies for their own purposes, by plantations,
sugar mills, collieries, mines, dams, harbours and ports, etc. The Bombay Port Trust runs a BG
railway of its own, as does the Madras Port Trust.[41] The Calcutta Port Commission Railway is a
BG railway. The Vishakhapatnam Port Trust has BG and NG, 2 ft 6 in (762 mm), railways.

The Bhilai Steel Plant has a BG railway network.[41] The Tatas (a private concern) operate
funicular railways at Bhira and at Bhivpuri Road (as well as the Kamshet±Shirawta Dam railway
line, which is not a public line). These are not common carriers, so the general public cannot
travel using these. The Pipavav Rail Corporation holds a 33-year concession for building and
operating a railway line from Pipavav to Surendranagar.[41] The Kutch Railway Company, a joint
venture of the Gujarat state government and private parties, is involved (along with the Kandla
Port Trust and the Gujarat Adani Port) to build a Gandhidham±Palanpur railway line.[41] These
railway lines are principally used to carry freight and not for passenger traffic.

Although generally IR has decided the freight tariffs on these lines, recently (February 2005)
there have been proposals to allow the operating companies freedom to set freight tariffs and
generally run the lines without reference to IR.

Rail services in India, first introduced in 1853, are provided by the state-run Indian Railways,
under the supervision of the Ministry of Railways. Indian Railways provides an important mode
of transport in India, transporting over 18 million passengers and more than 2 million tonnes of
freight daily across one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world.[88][89] By 1947, the
year of India's independence, there were forty-two rail systems. In 1951 the systems were
nationalised as one unit, becoming one of the largest networks in the world. Indian Railways is
divided into sixteen zones, which are further sub-divided into sixty seven divisions, each having
a divisional headquarters.[90][91]

The rail network traverses through the length and breadth of the country, covering 6,909 stations
over a total route length of around 63,465 km (39,435 mi).[92] It is the world's largest commercial
or utility employer, with more than 1.4 million employees.[88][93] As to rolling stock, IR owns
over 200,000 (freight) wagons, 50,000 coaches and 8,000 locomotives.[88] It also owns
locomotive and coach production facilities. It operates both long distance and suburban rail
systems on a multi-gauge network of broad, metre and narrow gauges, and is in the process of
converting all the metre gauge (14,406 km (8,951 mi)) into broad gauge in a project called
Project Unigauge.

Kashmir Railway is the second highest in the world and the first phase was completed in
2009.[94] Proposals have been made to introduce high-speed rail in India. A proposal has been
made to build a Maglev track within the city of Mumbai, connecting it to the National Capital of
New Delhi, as well as other parts of Maharashtra in the form of the Mumbai Maglev.[95] Another
proposal has been made to introduce a High-speed rail in India similar to that of the Shinkansen
of Japan.[96]

In 1999, the Konkan Railway Corporation introduced the 

  

  (RORO) service, a
unique road-rail synergy system, on the section between Kolad in Maharashtra and Verna in
Goa,[97] which was extended up to Surathkal in Karnataka in 2004.[98][99] The RORO service, the
first of its kind in India, allowed trucks to be transported on flatbed trailers. It was highly
popular,[100] carrying about 1,10,000 trucks and bringing in about 74 crore worth of earnings to
the corporation till 2007.





. A journey through a train will invariably bring you in closer contact with the
natural diversity of India. The windows of the train render a plethora of beautiful and varied
topography of the country. The rural life of the country becomes prominent and the ever
changing vista introduces us to the very essence of the country. Its origin dates back to as early
as the 1850¶s. Today, the country has a number of trains running from one corner to another.

'
 c
. Some of the special trains that operate in India are:


$ 

. Thanks to the initiative of Dr. B.C.Roy, we have the metro railway in
Kolkata today. The metro railway has extended its service to almost all the main centers of the
city.
) $ . Opened in the year 2002, the Delhi Metro has of late become the most feasible
means of transportation. Kangra Valley Railway: The Kangra Valley will take you on a cruise to
some of the most picturesque regions of the North Indian State.
/


. The Konkan Railway runs from Roha to Mangalore.


  . The palce on wheels starts from Delhi and pass through the state of
Rajasthan, Jaipur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer and Bharatpur before
finally entering the city of Delhi.
c)
0
. It is a luxury passenger train, well equipped and lavishly decorated with
modern décor.
c/

'


. It is a railway line between Kalka and Shimla.


 



Main article: Indian Road Network

The Network of National Highways in India.

Roads are the dominant mode of transportation in India today.They carry almost 90 percent of
the country¶s passenger traffic and 65 percent of its freight. The density of India¶s highway
network -- at 0.66 km of highway per square kilometer of land ± is similar to that of the United
States (0.65) and much greater than China's (0.16) or Brazil's (0.20).However, most highways in
India are narrow and congested with poor surface quality, and 40 percent of India¶s villages do
not have access to all-weather roads.Road network of India is the largest road networks(3.314
million kilometers ) in the world.India's road network consists of national highways, state
highways, district roads and village roads.

India has a network of National Highways connecting all the major cities and state capitals,
forming the economic backbone of the country. As of 2005, India has a total of 66,590 km
(41,377 mi) of National Highways, of which 200 km (124 mi) are classified as expressways.[106]
Under National Highways Development Project (NHDP), work is under progress to equip some
of the important national highways with four lanes; also there is a plan to convert some stretches
of these roads to six lanes.[107] However congestion and bureaucratic delays enroute ensure that
trucking goods from Gurgaon to the port in Mumbai can take up to 10 days.[108]

As per the National Highways Authority of India, about 65% of freight and 80% passenger
traffic is carried by the roads. The National Highways carry about 40% of total road traffic,
though only about 2% of the road network is covered by these roads.[106] Average growth of the
number of vehicles has been around 10.16% per annum over recent years.[106] Highways have
facilitated development along the route and many towns have sprung up along major highways.
Road transport Benchmark Freight Index (BFI) initiative taken in India in recent past

All national highways are metalled, but very few are constructed of concrete, the most notable
being the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. In recent years construction has commenced on a
nationwide system of multi-lane highways, including the Golden Quadrilateral and North-South
and East-West Corridors which link the largest cities in India. In 2000, around 40% of villages in
India lacked access to all-weather roads and remained isolated during the monsoon season.[5][109]

To improve rural connectivity,

     
       (Prime Minister's Rural
Road Program), a project funded by the Central Government with the help of World Bank, was
launched in 2000 to build all-weather roads to connect all habitations with a population of 500 or
above (250 or above for hilly areas).[109][110]

As per 2009 estimates, the total road length in India is 3,320,410 km (2,063,210 mi);[111] making
the Indian road network the third largest road network in the world. At 0.66 km of highway per
square kilometre of land the density of India¶s highway network is higher than that of the United
States (0.65) and far higher than that of China's (0.16) or Brazil's (0.20).[5]

c 

 !
Expressways 650 km (400 mi) as of 2006
National Highways 66,590 km (41,380 mi)
State Highways 131,899 km (81,958 mi)
Major District Roads 467,763 km (290,654 mi)
Rural and Other Roads 2,650,000 km (1,650,000 mi)
c
! 121332333452363233374" #7
Buses are an important means of public transport in India, particularly in the countryside and
remote areas where the rail network cannot be accessed and airline operations are few or non-
existent. Due to this social significance, public bus transport is predominantly owned and
operated by public agencies, and most state governments operate bus services through a State
Road Transport Corporation.[112] These corporations, introduced in the 1960s and 1970s, have
proven extremely useful in connecting villages and towns across the country.

Roadways in India: Road network in India is one of the largest networks in the world. There are
the National Highways, State Highways, District roads and Village roads. Roads are the
dominant mode of transportation in India. They are an indispensable means of communication
and has come a long way. It is today regarded as one of the most ideal and cost effective modes
of transportation in India.



 



 

Main article: Shipping Corporation of India

Maritime transportation in India is managed by the Shipping Corporation of India, a government-

owned company that also manages offshore and other marine transport infrastructure in the
country. It owns and operates about 35% of Indian tonnage and operates in practically all areas
of shipping business servicing both national and international trades.[113]

It has a fleet of 79 ships of 27.5 lakh GT (48 lakh DWT) and also manages 53 research, survey
and support vessels of 1.2 Lakh GT (0.6 Lakh DWT) on behalf of various government
departments and other organisations.[114] Personnel are trained at the Maritime Training Institute
in Mumbai, a branch of the World Maritime University, which was set up in 1987.[115] The
Corporation also operates in Malta and Iran through joint ventures.[114]


 

Main article: Ports in India

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Navi Mumbai ranks 25th in the world as per container traffic.[116]

The ports are the main centres of trade. In India about 95% of the foreign trade by quantity and
70% by value takes place through the ports.[117]Mumbai Port&JNPT(Navi Mumbai) handles 70%
of maritime trade in India.[118] There are twelve major ports: Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Kolkata
(including Haldia), Paradip, Vishakapatnam, Ennore, Chennai, Tuticorin, Kochi, New
Mangalore, Mormugao and Kandla.[92] Other than these, there are 187 minor and intermediate
ports, 43 of which handle cargo.[92]

The distinction between major and minor ports is not based on the amount of cargo handled. The
major ports are managed by port trusts which are regulated by the central government. They
come under the purview of the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. The minor ports are regulated by the
respective state governments and many of these ports are private ports or captive ports. The total
amount of traffic handled at the major ports in 2005-2006 was 382.33 Mt.[92]


 


Main article: Inland Waterways Authority of India

Boats sailing on National Waterway 2 at Guwahati, Assam.

India has an extensive network of inland waterways in the form of rivers, canals, backwaters and
creeks. The total navigable length is 14,500 kilometres (9,000 mi), out of which about 5,200 km
(3,231 mi) of river and 485 km (301 mi) of canals can be used by mechanised crafts.[119] Freight
transport by waterways is highly underutilised in India compared to other large countries. The
total cargo moved by inland waterways is just 0.15% of the total inland traffic in India, compared
to the corresponding figures of 20% for Germany and 32% for Bangladesh.

Waterways and Water Resources: India is flanked by the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the
Indian Ocean. It therefore, has a long coastline. India is the proud owner of 12 major and 184
minor ports along this vast coastline. Some of the major ports are Chennai, Cochin, Kandla,
Kolkata, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam and others.

Cargo transport in an organised manner is confined to a few waterways in Goa, West Bengal,
Assam and Kerala. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the statutory authority in
charge of the waterways in India. It does the function of building the necessary infrastructure in
these waterways, surveying the economic feasibility of new projects and also administration and
regulation. The following waterways have been declared as National Waterways:

á? National Waterway 1 - Allahabad - Haldia stretch of the Ganges - Bhagirathi - Hooghly

river system with a total length of 1,620 kilometres (1,010 mi) in October 1986.[121]

á? National Waterway 2 -   - Dhubri stretch of the Brahmaputra river system with a
total length of 891 kilometres (554 mi) in 1988.[121]

á? National Waterway 3 - Kollam - Kottapuram stretch of the West Coast Canal along with
Champakara and Udyogmandal canals, with a total length of 205 kilometres (127 mi) in
1993.[121]

á? National Waterway 4 - Bhadrachalam - Rajahmundry and Wazirabad - Vijaywada stretch

of the Krishna - Godavari river system along with the Kakinada - Puducherry canal
network, with a total length of 1,095 km (680 mi) in 2007.[122][123]

á? National Waterway 5 -  g
g  - Paradeep and Talcher - 
stretch of the

Mahanadi - Brahmani river system along with the East Coast Canal, with a total length of
623 km (387 mi) in 2007.[122][123]


"&


There are many airlines which are operating in India. The Air India, India's flag carrier, presently
operates a fleet of 159 aircraft and plays a major role in connecting India with the rest of the
world. The other airlines such as Kingfisher Airlines, Air India and Jet Airways are the most
popular brands in domestic air travel in order of their market share.These airlines connect more
than 80 cities across India and also operate overseas routes after the liberalization of Indian
aviation. The rapid growth in the economy of India has made air travel more affordable now a
days. There are more than 335 (2008 est.) civilian airports in India - 250 with paved runways and
96 with unpaved runways and more than 20 international airports in the Republic of India.There
are almost 220 airports in India .these include all types of airports. Out of which 27 are
international airports. Others include domestic airports, air force based airports and etc«

A transport system, which has gained immense popularity over the years, is undoubtedly the air
transport. It is not a feasible means of transportation for all because of the inflated fares however,
it is considered to be the fastest and easiest means of transportation. It not only saves time but,
also reduces the tiredness involve in covering long distance. Indian Airlines is considered to be
the major domestic airlines of the country. It operates to 57 domestic stations and 17
international stations. Some of the leading domestic private airlines are Air Sahara, Jet Airways
and Air Deccan.

Rapid economic growth in India has made air travel more affordable. Air India, India's flag
carrier, presently operates a fleet of 159 aircraft and plays a major role in connecting India with
the rest of the world.[124] Several other foreign airlines connect Indian cities with other major
cities across the globe.

Kingfisher Airlines, Air India and Jet Airways are the most popular brands in domestic air travel
in order of their market share.[125] These airlines connect more than 80 cities across India and
also operate overseas routes after the liberalisation of Indian aviation. However, a large section
of country's air transport system remains untapped, even though the Mumbai-Delhi air corridor
was ranked 6th by the Official Airline Guide in 2007 among the world's busiest routes.[126]

India's vast unutilised air transport network has attracted several investments in the Indian air
industry in the past few years. More than half a dozen low-cost carriers entered the Indian market
in 2004-05. Major new entrants include Air Deccan, Kingfisher Airlines, SpiceJet, GoAir,
Paramount Airways and IndiGo Airlines. To meet India's rapidly increasing demand for air
travel, Air India recently placed orders for more than 68 jets from Boeing for US$7.5 billion
while Indian placed orders for 43 jets from Airbus for US$2.5 billion.[127][128]

Jet Airways, India's largest private carrier, has invested millions of dollars to increase its
fleet,[129] but this has been put on hold due to the recent economic slowdown.[130] This trend is
not restricted to traditional air carriers in India. IndiGo Airlines entered the limelight when it
announced orders for 100 Airbus A320s worth US$6 billion during the Paris Air Show; The
highest by any Asian domestic carrier.[131] Kingfisher Airlines became the first Indian air carrier
on June 15, 2005 to order Airbus A380 aircraft.[132] The total deal with Airbus was worth US$3
billion. [133]

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is currently India's busiest airport in terms
of passenger traffic.[134]

"  

Main article: List of airports in India

There are more than 335 (2008 est.)[135] civilian airports in India - 250 with paved runways and
96 with unpaved runways and more than 20 international airports in the Republic of India. The
Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport handle
more than half of the air traffic in South Asia.[136][137][138]

Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is India's busiest in terms of the number of daily
flights.[136]
"   "  
! 
  
&
 
&


4533897:16 
4533897:16
3,047 m (9,997 ft) or more 19 0
2,438 m (7,999 ft)²3,047 m (9,997 ft) 55 1
1,524 m (5,000 ft)²2,438 m (7,999 ft) 77 7
914 m (2,999 ft)²1,524 m (5,000 ft) 84 39
Under 914 m (2,999 ft) 16 47
c
 251 94


 

As of 2007, there are 30 heliports in India.[135] India also has the world's highest helipad at the
Siachen Glacier a height of 6400 metre (21,000 ft) above mean sea level.[139]

Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited is a public sector company that provides helicopter services to
ONGC to its off-shore locations, and also to various State Governments in India, particularly in
North-east India.[140]




á? Length of pipelines for crude oil is 20,000 km (12,427 mi).

á? Length of Petroleum products pipeline is 268 km (167 mi).
á? Length of Natural gas pipelines is 1,700 km (1,056 mi).

The above information was calculated in 2008.[135]


*& 





The new Reva electric car known as Reva NXR

The National capital New Delhi has one of the largest CNG based transport systems as a part of
the drive to bring down pollution. In spite of these efforts it remains the largest contributor to the
greenhouse gas emissions in the city.[141] The CNG Bus manufacturers in India are Ashok
Leyland, Tata Motors, Swaraj Mazda and Hindustan Motors.[142]

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation was the first State Transport Undertaking in
India to utilise bio-fuels and ethanol-blended fuels.[143] KSRTC took an initiative to do research
in alternative fuel forms by experimenting with various alternatives² blending diesel with
biofuels such as honge, palm, sunflower, groundnut, coconut and sesame.[144] In 2009, the
corporation decided to promote the use of biofuel buses.[145]

In 1998, the Supreme Court of India published a Directive that specified the date of April 2001
as deadline to replace or convert all buses, three-wheelers and taxis in Delhi to Compressed
Natural Gas.[146]