Transport routes are called basic arteries of our economy:
(i) We use different materials and services in our daily lives.
(ii) Some of these are available in our immediate surroundings, while other requirements are met by bringing things from other places.
(iii) Goods and services do not move from supply locales to demand locales on their own.
(iv) The movement of these goods and services from their supply locations to demand locations necessitates the need for transport.
(v) Roads are very significant in carrying goods from one place to another and serve for local, national and international trade.
(vi) Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India. Railways bind the economic life of the country as well as accelerate the development of industry and agriculture.
(vii) Pipeline transportation was used for water transportation only. Now these are used for transporting crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas from oil and natural gas fields to refineries, fertiliser, factories and big thermal plants.
(viii) Waterways are the cheapest mode of transport. They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods.
(ix) Air travel today is the fastest, most comfortable and prestigious mode of transport. Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd. provides helicopter services to oil and natural gas commission in its offshore operations to inaccessible areas and difficult terrains like the North eastern states and interior parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
