India Railway and Transportation PDF

Table 7.1: India: Railway Track The Indian Railway network runs on multiple gauge operations extending over 67,956 km. Gauge in metres Route (Km) Broad Gauge (1.676) 63950 Met...

Table 7.1: India: Railway Track The Indian Railway network runs on multiple gauge operations extending over 67,956 km. Gauge in metres Route (Km) Broad Gauge (1.676) 63950 Metre Gauge (1.000) 2,402 Narrow Gauge (0.762 and 0.610) 1,604 Total 67,956 Source: Railway Yearbook 2019–20, Ministry of Railways, Government of India. Website: www.indianrailways.gov.in only through gaps or passes (Ghats). In recent There are three important networks of times, the development of the Konkan railway pipeline transportation in the country. along the west coast has facilitated the movement From oil field in upper Assam to Kanpur of passengers and goods in this most important (Uttar Pradesh), via Guwahati, Barauni and economic region of India. It has also faced a Allahabad. It has branches from Barauni to number of problem such as sinking of track in Haldia, via Rajbandh, Rajbandh to some stretches and landslides. Maurigram and Guwahati to Siliguri. Today, the railways have become more From Salaya in Gujarat to Jalandhar in important in our national economy than all Punjab, via Viramgam, Mathura, Delhi and other means of transport put together. However, Sonipat. It has branches to connect Koyali rail transport suffers from certain problems as (near Vadodara, Gujarat) Chakshu and well. Many passengers travel without tickets. other places. Thefts and damaging of railway property has The first 1,700 km long Hazira-Vijaipur- not yet stopped completely. People stop the Jagdishpur (HVJ) cross country gas trains, pull the chain unnecessarily and this pipeline, linked Mumbai High and Bassein causes heavy damage to the railway. Think over gas fields with various ferilizer, power and it, how we can help our railway in running as industrial complexes in western and per the scheduled time? northern India. Overall, India’s gas pipeline infrastructure has expanded from 1,700 km Pipelines to 18,500 km of cross-country pipelines. Pipeline transport network is a new arrival on the transportation map of India. In the past, Waterways these were used to transport water to cities and Since the ancient period, India was one of the industries. Now, these are used for transporting seafaring countries. Its seamen sailed far and crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas near, thus, carrying and spreading Indian from oil and natural gas fields to refineries, commerce and culture. Waterways are the fertilizer factories and big thermal power plants. cheapest means of transport. They are most Solids can also be transported through a suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods. pipeline when converted into slurry. The far It is a fuel-efficient and environment friendly inland locations of refineries like Barauni, mode of transport. India has inland navigation Mathura, Panipat and gas based fertilizer plants waterways of 14,500 km in length. Out of these could be thought of only because of pipelines. only 5685 km are navigable by mechanised Initial cost of laying pipelines is high but vessels. The following waterways have been subsequent running costs are minimal. It rules declared as the National Waterways by the out trans-shipment losses or delays. Government. LIFELINES OF NATIONAL ECONOMY 75 Reprint 2024-25