Infrastructure
Problems
of Indian Railway
Problems
of Road Transport
15.4
Shipping
India
has got about 14, 500 km of navigable waterways which comprise of rivers,
canals, back waters, creeks, etc. Inland Water Transport (IWT), a fuel
efficient and environment – friendly transportation mode. Its operations are currently
restricted to a few stretches in the Ganga –
Bhagirathi – Hooghly
Rivers Brahmaputra , the Barak River Goa , the backwaters in Kerala,
Inland waters in Mumbai and the deltaic religion of the Godavari Krishna
rivers. Besides the organized operations by mechanized vessels, country boats
of various capacities also operate in various rivers and canals. Our inland
water transport system suffers from poor maintenance, inadequacy compared to
requirements of the economy.
15.1 Infrastructure
Infrastructure means the facilities, activities and services which give
support to the operation and development of various sectors of the economy. Infrastructure
is treated as part of the capital stock of the economy, essential for providing
different types of services. Capital stock like roads, buses, railway provide
transport facilities, hospitals provide health services, canals, provide
irrigation facilities. Proper infrastructure facilities are indispensable for
economic development of a country. Poor infrastructure hampers the progress of
industrialization. Country has to develop conducive infrastructure for
industrialization.
Types of
Infrastructure
Infrastructure can be divided into two segments namely.
-
Economic infrastructure
-
Social infrastructure
a. Economic Infrastructure: All schemes of economic
changes (power, transport communication), which serve as a foundation for the
process of economic growth, are called economic infrastructure of a country.
b. Social Infrastructure: It
refers to the core
element of social change (like Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, and Nursing homes)
serving as a foundation for the process of social development of a country.
While
economic infrastructure fosters economic growth (upliftment of living standards
of the people), social infrastructure fosters human growth (upliftment of quality
of life). Both the infrastructures are complementary to each other. Government
need to make investment in development of both of these infrastructures.
15.2 Indian Railways
Indian Railways play a
significant role in economic development of our country. The first railway
train in India steamed off in 1853 from Bombay to Thane.
Indian Railways has monopoly in Rail Transport
System. Indian Railways is used for both carrying passengers as well as for
transportation of goods. Nearly 11000 passenger trains run everyday in India.
Rail Transport for carrying
goods is more economical and safer to other from of transportation. In recent
years there has been major improvements in Rail Transportation system. It has
helped to increase the speed of transportation. Government is also trying to
increase the Railway network to more areas, extending the benefits of the Rail
Transport system.
Advantages of railways
transportation
(i)
Suitable for long distance land transport
(ii)
Safe means of transport for bulky goods.
(iii)
Helpful in agricultural produces transportation
(iv)
Economical & helpful in the development of trade & commerce
(v)
Indian Railway system earns through goods transport.
Problems
of Indian Railway
In spite of many
improvements in recent years, Indian railways have may problems:
i. Existing Technology (in both Electric and
Diesel Locomotive) is very old.
ii. Railway Network is smaller
and inadequate compared to the requirements of the economy.
iii. A number of unremunerative
lines are operated, due to social responsibilities.
iv. Essential Goods like Food
Grains, Fruits and Vegetables are sometimes carried at a loss.
v. Over-crowding, Poor
Passenger Services, Poor Hygiene in Railway stations, Delays, etc. are inherent
problems in Railways.
15.3
Road Transport
Road Transport plays a
significant role in economic development of a country. Road Transport is part
of infrastructure facilities. Main advantage of Road Transportation is its easy
accessibility. Railway transport, water transport facilities are not available
everywhere. But Road Transport facilities can be extended to everywhere. Huge
investment is needed for proper maintenance of existing road transport
facilities.
Indian roads are classified into National Highways,
State highways & Rural road. The National Highways encompass a road length
of 58,110 kms constituting only 1.7% of the total length but they carry nearly
40% of the goods & passenger traffic.
National Highway Development Project (NHDP) project
comprises
i. 5,846 km Golden
Quadrilateral (GQ) GQ connects Delhi
ii. 7300 km North-South,
East-West Corridors
NS-EW corridors link Kashmir to Kanyakumari & Silchar to Porbandar.
Problems
of Road Transport
Indian road transport
system suffers from certain problems like:
i.
Road Length in insufficient considering the size of the country. More
adequately maintained roads are required for free flow of transportation system.
ii. Interior Area and Hilly
Tracts are still not connected or linked with roads, government needs to give special
attention to this problem.
iii.
Large tracts of Rural Roads are Mud Roads, which cannot be used for
plying heavy traffic. At time of rainy seasons, traffic gets stalled for these
muddy road.
iv. Urban roads are poorly
maintained. Due to constraints of financial resources, organizational
inadequacies, procedural delays, shortage of essential materials, etc. many
roads are so badly broken that vehicles can not move with proper speed.
v. Most of the State Road
Transport corporations are running on heavy losses, due to rising of operation,
inefficiency in operations, etc.
15.4
Shipping
Shipping plays an
important role in the transport sector of India ’s economy. Approximately 95%
of the country’s trade volume (68% in terms of value) is moved by sea. India has the
largest merchant shipping fleet among the developing countries and ranks 19th
in the world in terms of shipping tonnage. Indian shipping sector helps
transportation of national and international cargoes. It also gives a variety
of other services such as cargo handling, ship building/repairing, freight
forwarding and training of maritime personnel.
Developed water transport
is needed as export import business is dependent on well developed shipping
facilities. Proper maintenance of port, vessels is needed to make the shipping
transportation system conducive for development of international business. At
present a significant portion of national income comes from international
business. Due to poor maintenance, in some of our ports, commercial vessels cannot
enter for low water level.
15.4.1 Problems in Shipping
transport
(i) Inadequacy in tonnage
capacity (currently, Indian ships carry only 29% of India
(ii) Operation Constraints such
as frequent breakdown of cargo handing equipment
(iii) Indian Shipping Suffers
from inadequate infrastructure support (like ship repair facilities dry docking
& cargo handling, inadequate dredging etc.)
(iv) High operating costs
reduces the competitive strength of Indian shipping.
(v) Lake of co-ordination in the
entire chain.
15.4.2 Inland Water
Transport
In India
Indian Shipping (overseas) is an important mode of
transport India Asia
& 17th in the world shipping in terms of tonnages. In 2002,
shipping tonnage was 6.91 million GRT as against 1.92 GRT at the time of
independence. After independence, major ports were built at Kandla in Gujrat,
Haldia near kolkata, Nhava Sheva in Mumbai, Paradip in Orissa, Tulicam Mangaldi
in Karnataka, Marmugas in Goa.
15.5 Telecommunication
Services
i. India’s Telephonic Network
is one of the largest in the world. At the time of independence India had 321
telephone exchanges.
ii. Growth of
Telecommunications Services (Telephone and Telex) has been significant with the
advent of Internet, advanced cell phone technology, communications revolution,
private sector participation, etc.
iii. A number of value-added
services like Radio Paging Services, Cellular Mobile Telephone Service,
Electronic Mail, Public Mobile Radio Trunked Service, Voice Mail, Video
Conferencing, etc. are available. Cost per Telephone Call has reduced very
considerably in the recent past.
iv. There are two major PSUs in
the Telecom Sector – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar
Telephone Nigam Limited(MTNL). But Private Enterprises have been playing a
major role in this sector.
v. Internet Connections and
Broadband Subscribers have increased considerably.
vi. Regularly Framework and
Functions are carried out by Telecom Regulatory of India (TRAI).
The National Internet
Exchange of India (NIXI) has been set up to ensure that internet traffic
originated and destined for India India
Massive investments are
being made for development of Telecommunication service. New technologies are
being adopted in telecommunication sectors. Invention of internet is the
greatest invention for development of telecommunication, public and private
both sector participate in development of telecommunication service.
15.6 Postal Services
i.
India
ii.
Many services like Speed Post, Business Post, Express Parcel Post, Media
Post, Logistics Posts, Retail Post Services, Speed Post Passport services, etc.
are available.
iii.
VSAT’s (very small Aperture Terminals) have been established to improve
the speed and volume of Money Order transmission.
iv.
Many Post Offices are computerized and give better services.
User-friendly services like pick-up of mails from the residence of the
customers are also available.
v.
Automatic Mail Processing Centers (AMPC) are set up in many places, for
faster processing of mails.
vi. Post Offices also provide
financial products such as Saving Bank, Saving Certificates, Postal Life
Insurance, non-life insurance products, Mutual Funds etc.
Indian
postal department is playing a crucial role in development of business in India
vii.
E-bill Post services, under which customers are able to pay multiple
utility bills at Post Office Counters are available. They are now being
upgraded for multiple messaging, to make them useful for corporate.
viii. Direct Post, which
comprises of un-addressed postal articles like promotional items, has been
introduced to provide the facility of direct advertising, and increasing the
commercial activity in the country.
15.6.1 Premium Postal Services
Products of India
i.
Speed Post: It was introduced on 1 august, 1986. It offers guaranteed delivery
within a specified period.
ii.
Business Post: (1997) to meet the specific needs of big mailers.
iii. Greeting Post: (2000) It seeks to
synergise the core competence in extending postal and philatelic products to
the public.
iv. Speed Net: (2002) This is internet based track and trace service providing tracking
facility to the customer.
v.
Speed Post Passport
Service: It
is venture of the Department of posts and the Ministry of External Affairs for
providing greater access to passport application forms through out the country
through designated speed post offices.
vi. International Mails: India Union since 1876 and of the
Asian Pacific Postal Union since 1864. International EMS started in 1986 with
five countries has now been extended to 97 countries.
vii. Postal Life Insurance: (PLI) was introduced in 1884 as a welfare measure
for postal employees Suraksha, Suvidha Santosh, Sumangal, Yugal Suraksha are
the products for postal Life Insurance.
viii. Voice Mail: Voice mail Service provides the facilities of collecting and re-obtaining
voice messages through telephone. This service is useful for the persons who
are often on tours and do not have telephone facility. The customer of this
service has one voice mail number and a mail box. Any message can be left with
the mail box which can again be collected from it, if required. This service
also reduces the financial burden of exchange bill.
15.7 Educational Development
Education plays an
important role in the overall development of a human being and a society. The
Indian Constitution specifies that education should be free for children below
14 years of age.
Aspects of Elementary Education of National Policy on Education (NPE)
-
Universal access and enrolment,
- Universal retention of
children upto 14 years of age, and
- Substantial Improvement in
the quality of education.
Education Programmes of India
-
National literacy mission: It was launched in the year 1998. [Q:46] As a
result, Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of children of 6-14 yrs has increased from
32.1 in 1950-51 to 84.91 in 2003-04 and further increased to 94.23 in 2004-05. Drop-out-rate
at the primary has declined from 39% in 2001-02 to 31.4% in 2003-04.
-
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) : It has helped in
providing elementary education to all children.
-
National programme for
Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL) : It is an important
component of SSA.
-
Navodaya Vidyalayas : A scheme for Navodaya Vidyalays was launched in
1987-88 to impart modern quality education to talented children.
-
Kendriya Vidyalyas : The number of Kendriya Vidyalya
in the country is 877 having 7.50 lakh students on roll. There has been an
impressive growth in the area of higher education with an increase in annul
student enrolment from 7.26 million in 1997-98 to 9.95 million in 2003-04.
Other Education Schemes undertaken by Government
i.
Education Guarantee Scheme and Alternative and Innovation Education (EGS
+ AIE) [as a component of SSA]
ii.
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidhylaya (KGVB)
iii. Mid-day Meal Scheme,
iv. Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh
(PSK)
v.
Affiliation and Recognition schemes in respect of Secondary Education
(which prepares students of 14-18 years age group, for entry into higher
education and employment).
vi. Affiliation and Recognition
schemes in respect of University and Higher education.
vii. National Literacy Mission
viii. Total Literacy Campaign
(TLC)
New Development in Education Sector
Number of technical
institutions has increased substantially. At present there are more 1200
recognised technical institutions at the 1st degree level, 167
medical colleges, 797 institutions impart MCA courses & there are 820
approved management institutes imparting MBA courses. There are six IMS which
are centres of excellence in management education. Further, for adult
education, the National Literacy Mission was launched in 1998 as a Technology
mission. It aimed at imparting functional literacy to non-literates in the
country in the age group of 15-35 in a time bound manner.
15.8 Energy Sector
Role of energy in economic development
a) Energy is a most vital
input for most of the production processes and consumption activities.
b)
Economic Growth and Demand for Energy are correlated. Energy plays a
crucial role in the economic development. Industrialization is solely dependent
on adequate supply of energy.
c)
The most important traditional source of energy in rural India is fire-wood
and cow dung cake. [Q:16]
d)
Coal is the primary source of energy in India.
e)
Solar energy is the most promising non-conventional source of energy in
India.
f) Generally, a 3% rise in
industrial production is accompanied by a 2% increase in energy consumption.
Participants in Energy Sector in India
In India India
The Government and private
Sector work together in the area of power corporation,
-
The Central Government operates through National Thermal Power
Corporation (NTPC), National Hydroelectric Power Corportaion (NHPC) and Nuclear
Power Corportaion of India Limited (NPCIL) and Central Electric Regulatory
Commission also exist.
-
State Governments have their respective State Electricity Boards (SEBs).
-
Many Private Sector Companies are also engaged in Power Generation.
-
Thermal power contributes 72% of the total power generation.
-
Hydel power contributes 15% of the power generation.
Problems & difficulties in energy sector
i. Demand & Supply imbalances in commercial fuels: Though demand for
commercial fuels has increased at a modest rate of 5.5% per annum, domestic
sources cannot support the demand.
ii. Less capacity utilization: Production Capacity is denoted by Plant Load
factor. PLF = Electricity generated / Production capacity. In India
iii. Losses of Electricity Boards: Electricity is distributed by State Electricity
Boards. At present almost all Electricity Boards are running at huge losses
mostly due to almost free supply of power to agriculture.
iv. Transmission & distribution loss: The T & D Losses are very high in many
of the SEB Systems. National average of this loss is around 23% while in many
states it is more.
v. Imbalance in the use pattern of commercial energy: There is an imbalance in
the pattern of commercial energy between urban & rural areas. At present
urban areas use around 80% of commercial energy though their share in
population is about 26%. Though over 80% of villages are electrified a very
small proportion of rural households (around 10%) use electricity.
Steps for removal of energy related problems
i.
Legislation and Amendments:
Amendments
in Electricity Act have been made giving focus on improved investment in Power
Sector, fixing of Power Tariffs on the basis of competition, efficiency,
economical use of resources, commercials principles and consumer’s interests.
ii.
Encouragement of Private
Sector Participation: Private Sector Investment in Power is permitted in accordance with
regulatory guidelines. Private sector participation will help to increase more
energy production.
iii. PLF Improvement: The ‘Partnership in Excellence’ Programme has been launched in order to
improve generation of power, identify Thermal Stations with lower PLF and
improve their efficiency.
iv. Capacity: Increase electricity-generating capacity of the Existing Plants by
development of Ultra-Mega Power Plants with higher capacity.
v.
National Grid: All India Power Grid to
increase as National Grid, is envisaged to be developed known total inter-regional
transmission capacity.
vi. Use of Alternative Resources: Encouraging the use of Hydel and Wind Energy
Sources which do not rely on fossil fuels and avoid carbon emissions. Use of
alternative reasources for energy production will fulfil energy requirements to
some extent.
vii. T&D Reforms: Reforms in T&D is under taken to reduce transmission losses, improve
the quality of power, reduce load shedding, and reduce average response for
attending breakdowns.
viii. Restructuring of SEBs: Steps taken to improve operations of SEBs, by way
of rationalization of Tariff Structure, and monitoring of cost structure.
ix.
Rural Electrification: Steps are being taken to
provide access to electricity to all area including villages and hamlets.
15.9 Air
Transport
In 1953, air transport was nationalized. As per Air
Corporation Act, 1953, two corporations Air India International & Indian
Airlines were established. International Airports Authority of India was set up
in 1972 for development of airports at Mumbai, Delhi Trivandrum
Domestic Air Services are also provided by private
airlines like Sahara , Jet airways Kingfisher,
Spice Jet etc. Private operators account for 69% traffic. Number of passengers
increased by 6 times from over 107 Lakh in 1980-81 to 593 Lakhs in 2004-05. For
cargo, increased from about 179 thousand tones to 797 thousand tones in 80-81
to 1280 thousand tones in 2004-05. Traffic for domestic & international
grew by 24% & 15% and cargo recorded a growth of 6.6% & 11.9%, 2nd
highest in the world next to China.
