Transport and communication | JKSSB | VLW

India has a diverse transportation system, with a variety of modes of transportation serving different purposes. Here are some of the major modes of transportation in India:

Road transport: Roads are the backbone of India's transportation system. The country has a vast network of highways, state highways, district roads, and village roads, connecting all parts of the country. The Indian road network is the second-largest in the world, after the United States.


In India, roads are classified into several types based on their importance, traffic volume, and connectivity. Here are the major types of roads in India:

National Highways (NH): These are the main arterial roads connecting major cities and towns across the country. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of national highways. As of September 2021, the total length of national highways in India is over 142,000 kilometers.

State Highways (SH): These are the roads connecting major cities and towns within a state. State highways are managed by the respective state governments, and their length varies from state to state. In some states, the Public Works Department (PWD) is responsible for the development and maintenance of state highways.

District Roads (DR): These are the roads connecting villages and towns within a district. District roads are maintained by the local authorities, and their length varies from district to district.

Rural Roads: These are the roads connecting villages and hamlets in rural areas. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a flagship program of the Government of India aimed at providing connectivity to unconnected rural habitations through all-weather roads. The program is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Expressways: These are high-speed, controlled-access highways designed for high-speed travel over long distances. In India, expressways are managed by the NHAI, and their length is still relatively small compared to other types of roads.

Urban Roads: These are the roads within a city or town, connecting various areas and neighborhoods. Urban roads are managed by the respective municipal corporations or city development authorities.

Overall, the length and organizing body of roads in India vary depending on their type and purpose.


Rail transport: The Indian Railways is the world's largest railway network, spanning over 67,000 km and connecting all major cities and towns in the country. The railway system in India includes long-distance trains, suburban trains, and local trains, which are used extensively by the public.

Indian Railways operates several types of trains to cater to the different needs of passengers. Here are some of the major types of Indian Railways trains:

Express Trains: These are long-distance trains that run between major cities and towns, and generally have limited stops. Express trains offer a comfortable travel experience with seating and sleeping arrangements, and most of them have AC coaches.

Mail Trains: These are also long-distance trains that run between major cities and towns, and usually have more stops than express trains. Mail trains have both AC and non-AC coaches, and are generally slower than express trains.

Superfast Trains: These are express trains that have a higher speed than regular express trains and cover longer distances in less time. Superfast trains have limited stops and mostly run between major cities.

Shatabdi Express: These are high-speed, day-trains that operate on major intercity routes. Shatabdi Express trains have only AC coaches and offer onboard catering services.

Rajdhani Express: These are long-distance, high-speed trains that operate between major cities and state capitals. Rajdhani Express trains have only AC coaches, and offer premium onboard services such as meals, bed linen, and towels.

Duronto Express: These are non-stop, long-distance trains that connect major cities and are designed for faster travel. Duronto Express trains have only AC coaches and offer onboard catering services.

Local Trains: These are short-distance trains that operate within a city or its suburbs. Local trains have both AC and non-AC coaches and are usually crowded during peak hours.

Metro Trains: These are rapid transit trains that operate in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. Metro trains have air-conditioned coaches and run on dedicated tracks, providing a fast and efficient mode of transport within the city.

Overall, Indian Railways operates a wide variety of trains catering to the needs of passengers traveling across the country.

Air transport: India has a rapidly growing aviation industry, with over 100 airports and several airlines operating both domestic and international flights. The major airports in India are located in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Air transport is an important mode of transportation in India, connecting various parts of the country and the world. Here are some of the major types of air transport in India:

Scheduled Airlines: These are airlines that operate according to a fixed schedule, with regular flights between major cities and towns across the country. Examples of scheduled airlines in India include Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, and GoAir.

Charter Airlines: These are airlines that offer chartered flights, which are not scheduled and operate on demand. Charter airlines are commonly used for business travel, leisure travel, and emergency medical services.

Low-Cost Carriers: These are airlines that offer low-cost air travel, with no frills and limited services. Low-cost carriers are popular among budget-conscious travelers, and they have become a significant segment of the Indian aviation industry. Examples of low-cost carriers in India include IndiGo, SpiceJet, and GoAir.

Cargo Airlines: These are airlines that specialize in the transportation of cargo, including goods, mail, and other freight. Cargo airlines play a crucial role in the logistics and supply chain management of various industries, including manufacturing, retail, and e-commerce.

Helicopter Services: These are air transport services that use helicopters for short-distance transport, such as intercity travel, sightseeing, and emergency medical services. Helicopter services are commonly used in remote and hilly areas where road and rail connectivity is limited.

Overall, air transport in India offers a range of options for passengers and cargo, connecting different parts of the country and the world.

Water transport: India has a long coastline of over 7,500 km, with several major ports and inland waterways. The country has a large fleet of cargo ships, fishing vessels, and passenger ferries, which transport goods and people across the country.

Water transport is an important mode of transportation in India, with a long coastline, several ports, and navigable rivers. Here are some of the major types of water transport in India:

Inland Waterways Transport: Inland waterways transport refers to the transportation of cargo and passengers on rivers, canals, and other water bodies within the country. In India, the National Waterway Authority (NWA) is responsible for the development and maintenance of inland waterways. The major inland waterways in India include the Brahmaputra river, the Ganges river, and the Godavari river.

Coastal Shipping: Coastal shipping refers to the transportation of cargo and passengers along the coastlines of the country. Coastal shipping is an important mode of transportation for the movement of goods between ports and for passenger travel along the coast. The major ports for coastal shipping in India include Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Kochi.

Shipping Services: Shipping services refer to the transportation of cargo and passengers through ships across the oceans. Shipping services play a crucial role in international trade and commerce, and the major ports in India provide connectivity to several countries across the world.

Ferry Services: Ferry services refer to the transportation of passengers and vehicles across water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and bays. Ferry services are commonly used for short-distance travel and for connecting islands with the mainland. The major ferry services in India include those between Mumbai and Alibaug, and between Chennai and Port Blair.

Overall, water transport plays an important role in the transportation infrastructure of India, connecting different parts of the country and providing connectivity to other countries across the world.


Overall, India's transportation system is constantly evolving and improving, with the government investing in infrastructure and modernization to meet the growing demands of the population.