UP PCS Mains-2024

Approach Start by introducing the transport system. Discuss the major transport systems in Uttar Pradesh. Highlight the major transport development initiatives in the state. End with a conclusion

Introduction

An efficient transport system is essential to achieve economic prosperity by promoting connectivity and commerce activities. Uttar Pradesh has all modes of transportation. It has an optimum network of roadways, railways, airways, and waterways to connect its people and goods.

Body

Major Transport Systems In Uttar Pradesh :

• Roadways: Uttar Pradesh has a total road length of about 18.37 lakh km and has the second-largest road network in India after Maharashtra.
• National Highways: As per the Annual Report 2022-23 of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the total length of National Highways in Uttar Pradesh is 12,270 km (2022-23). The longest National Highway that passes through Uttar Pradesh is NH 19.
• Expressways: These are the highest class of roads with controlled access to highways. There are several expressways in the state like the Yamuna (Taj) Expressway, Delhi-Meerut Expressway, and Purvanchal Expressway.
• State Highways: It connects the capital, headquarters of the districts, and towns in the state. The total length of the state highways in Uttar Pradesh is 8,432 Km.
• District and Village Road: The roads connecting various administrative centers of the districts to the district headquarters are called district roads.
• Railways: Uttar Pradesh ranked first in the railway network in India with approximately 9,167 km of railway lines. There are 17 railway zones in India out of which 5 railway zones are across the state. In Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Metro Rail, Noida-Greater Noida Metro Rail, and Kanpur Metro Rail are being operated.
• Airways: The state has 46 airstrips, 16 are under the control of the State Government, 8 airstrips are under the control of the Airforce and the remaining are under the control of the Central Government. There are 5 international airports in the State. Kushinagar, Varanasi and Lucknow International Airports are operational. Noida International Airport at Jewar and Ayodhya international airport are under construction.
• Ropeways: It is defined as a system for transporting materials and/or passengers in carriers suspended from or controlled by ropes. It is use full in uneven areas like Bundelkhand and Tarai region of the state. In Uttar Pradesh Laxman Pahari ropeway is located in the Chitrakoot district. Recently, Varanasi has become the first city in the state to use it in public transport.
• Waterways: In Uttar Pradesh Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghara, and Gomati are used for water transport facilities, the National Waterway-1 runs from Prayagraj to Haldia (West Bengal) across Ganges, Bhagirathi, and Hooghly.

Major transport development initiatives in Uttar Pradesh:

• Initiative for Road Infrastructure: ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’ is being implemented successfully by the Uttar Pradesh government to connect remote areas to the district’s headquarters. The conference of the Indian Road Congress (IRC) 2022 was held in Lucknow, it has targeted to fortify the road infrastructure in the state.
• Initiative for Railway Infrastructure: Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) connects Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai, the 351-km-long ‘New Bhaupur-New Khurja Freight Corridor’ is part of the Eastern DFC.
• Initiative for Waterways: Uttar Pradesh government announced a new authority to develop waterways in the state. Ganga Vilas luxury cruise boat is the world’s longest river cruise between Varanasi and Dibrugarh (Assam).
• Initiative for Ropeway: Varanasi’s ropeway project in Uttar Pradesh is the country’s first ‘urban ropeway’ project.
• Initiative for Airways: Under the UDAN scheme 18 new air routes for Uttar Pradesh are covered, it will enhance the connectivity of Kanpur, Moradabad, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Shravasti, and Bareilly.

Conclusion

Thus, in Uttar Pradesh, the transport sector has grown extensively, both in terms of physical spread as well as the capacity to meet the mobility demands for both passengers as well as freight. Hence, there is a need to pay greater attention to sustainable (green) transport systems in the state.