Transport system is the foundation stone of economic infrastructure. It helps in the development of trade, commerce and industry.
If agriculture and industries are supposed to be the body, transport may be called the veins of the economy.
Transport system removes the hindrance of place and time. It facilitates the mobility of goods and services from producers to consumers. It also helps in removing regional inequalities. Development of transport facilities is also essential for surve3ang and tapping of natural resources. Transport system is known as symbol of civilization. Broadly speaking, transport system of a country refers to the different means which carry men and material from one place to another.
Growth of Transport System in India:
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From the beginning, Indian planners gave top most priority to the development of transport system in the country. During the first three plans, allocation to the transport sector was 25 to 28 percent. In the subsequent plans, due to pressing need of industrial sector, allocation for transport system declined. For example, allocation for transport sector in Eighth Plan was 13% and in Ninth Plan, it was 15.2%. The tenth plan proposes to invest 14.8%’ of total plan outlay on transport.
The following table shows the progress of transport system in India since 1950-51.
The analysis of the above table shows that rail and road transport system dominate in our country. The water transport and civil aviation are also performing well.