Question

Answer the following question.
"Roadways still have an edge over railways in India." Support the statement with examples.

Answer 1

Roadways have an edge over the railways in view of the ease with which they can be built and maintained.

The growing importance of road transport vis-à-vis rail transport is rooted in the following reasons :

• The construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines.

• Roads can traverse comparatively more dissected and undulating topography.

• Roads can negotiate higher gradients of slopes and as such can traverse mountains such as the Himalayas.

• Road transport is economical in the transportation of a few persons and a relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances.

• It also provides door-to-door service, thus the cost of loading and unloading is much lower.

• Road transport is also used as a feeder to other modes of transport such as they provide a link between railway stations, air, and seaports.