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Transport in India
Indian Railroads: Track route length 62,458 in mid-1990s, fourth most
heavily used system in world, both for passengers and freight; all
government-owned and operated by Indian Railways. Some 14,600
kilometers double or multiple tracked; 11,000 kilometers electrified, 116,000
bridges; some high-speed routes; domestic production of most rolling stock
and other components. Major government investment in modernization in
1990s. Full metro system in Calcutta, rapid transit system in Madras &
major system planned for New Delhi; Bombay served by suburban rail
network.
Indian Roads: Almost 2 million kilometers; 960,000 kilometers surfaced
roads, and more than 1 million kilometers constructed of gravel, crushed
stone, or earth. Fifty-three highways, almost 20,000 kilometers in total
length, rated as national highways; carry about 40 percent of road traffic.
Around 60 percent of all passenger traffic travels by road. Urban transit
dominated by motor vehicles; increasing use of two- and three-wheel
vehicles, automobiles, minibuses, buses, trucks. Large cities have major
urban bus systems. Bullocks, camels, elephants, and other beasts of burden
seen throughout India.
Maritime Transport in India: Eleven major ports and 139 minor ports. In
1995 three government-owned and between fifty and sixty privately owned
shipping companies. Four major and three medium-sized shipyards, all
government run, thirty-five smaller shipyards in private sector. Major
coastal and ocean trade routes, more than 16,000 kilometers of inland
waterways, more than 3,600 kilometers navigable by large vessels, although
only about 2,000 kilometers used.
Airports: Two airlines (Air India and Indian Airlines) and one helicopter
service (Pawan Hans) owned by government and six privately owned
airlines; latter account for only 10 percent of domestic air traffic. Of 288
airports, 208 permanent-surface runways and two runways of more than
3,659 meters. Major international airports at Bombay (Mumbai), Delhi,
Calcutta, Madras, and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). International
service also from Mamargao (Goa), Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Major
regional airports at Ahmadabad, Allahabad, Pune, Srinagar, Chandigarh,
Kochi (Cochin), Nagpur, and Thiruvananthapuram.