Portal:India/Today's selected article/March 13, 2006



India has a large and extensive transportation system. The country has one of the world's largest railway and roadway network transporting millions of people every year. Bullock carts have been traditionally used for transport, especially in rural India. Palkee was one of the luxurious methods used by the rich and nobles for travelling purposes. Advent of the British saw drastic improvements in the horse carriages which were used for transport since early days. Bicycles are still an important mode of travelling for the lower middle class. Trams are still in use in Calcutta and provide a pollution-free means of transportation.

Buses are very cheap in most cities but also very crowded and have unpredictable timings, frequently necessitating long waits. Two wheelers like Scooter and the motorcycle are the most popular mode of transport in terms of number of vehicles. The demand for cars in India is one of the highest in the world. Mass rapid transit systems are operational in Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai and Delhi. India's rail network is the longest of any country. (more...)