Which are the chief means of transportation in India? Discuss the factors affecting their development.
The chief means of transportation in India is railways. Railways are called the system of national transportation due to the following reasons :
(i) It is the main mode of transport with its wider network.
(ii) Of all other means of transport put together, railways have become for more important in our national economy.
Its development has been influenced by the political, economic and geographical factors.
1. Political factors : The British Government wanted to exploit the Indian resources. Therefore it connected the ports and interior parts of the country by railways.
2. Economic factors : Supply of raw material in industrial and finished goods to markets. The dense population attracted the development of railways track.
3. Geographical factors : Relief features, climate, forest, desert also influenced the development of railway routes. Hilly regions, deserts, forests, flood-prone areas discouraged the development. On the other hand, northern plains of India provide favourable conditions for railway developments.
1339 Views
