Question

"India has the second largest road networks in the world." Examine the statement with examples.

Answer 1

1. Total Road Length: India's road network is enormous, spanning terrains ranging from plains to mountains. According to the most recent data available, India has around 5.8 million kilometers of roadways, which include national highways, state highways, district roads, and rural roads.
2. National Highways: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for the creation and maintenance of India's national highway network. The Golden Quadrilateral project, which connects the main metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, is one of India's most ambitious road infrastructure projects.
3. State Highways and Rural Roadways: In addition to national highways, India has a vast network of state and rural roadways. State highways connect major cities and towns within a state, easing intrastate travel. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a flagship program that aims to improve rural connectivity by building all-weather roads in rural areas.
4. Urban Road Networks: Cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai have large road networks that include arterial highways, ring roads, and expressways to handle intra-city traffic.
5. Challenges and Development: Despite India's enormous road network, it faces obstacles like traffic congestion, insufficient maintenance, and safety concerns. However, the government has made significant investments in road infrastructure development, including the Bharatmala Pariyojana, which intends to build new highways while improving old ones.