India/Transportation

Transportation in India depends heavily on railroads. The railway system, owned and operated by the government, is among the largest in the world. Each year, more than 3 billion passenger journeys are made by rail. Railroads also carry about 60 percent of India's freight traffic.

Many roads crisscross India. Good national highways connect major cities. But the poor quality of most of India's other roads, plus the small number of bridges and service stations, makes long-distance travel by road difficult in many areas. Fewer Indians than 1 in 500 own an automobile, and many people ride buses. Trucks carry about 30 percent of the nation's freight. Vehicles pulled by animals or people still provide a major means of transportation for short trips. Two-wheeled oxcarts account for most of the traffic. Many people in the cities ride bicycles. The Brahmaputra, Ganges, Godavari, and Krishna rivers carry the most boat traffic.

The government owns and operates two major airlines. Air-India provides international service to many countries. Indian Airlines flies within India and to nearby countries. Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, and Madras have major airports.