EMERGING ISSUES IN INDIAN ECONOMY — Economics STD 12 Commerce — Question
Gujarat BoardEnglish MediumSTD 12 CommerceEconomicsEMERGING ISSUES IN INDIAN ECONOMY5 Marks
Question
Explain the Importance of Railways In India.
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Answer
$1.$ Introduction:
Transportation sector includes railway, road, marine and air transportation.
Among all these the development of railway has taken the responsibility of transportation of goods and passengers.
The largest enterprise of the government of India is railway.
$2.$ Progress of Railway in India:
The British government started railway in India through its Private company.
Indian railway has started during the British Reign.
First railway line in India was started in $1353$ between Bombay and Thane which was $22$ mile long $($approximately, $34 \ km.)$
Gradually government took the administration of all other railway companies.
The Britishers developed the railways for their own economic interests and benefit.
After independence the Indian government took the administration of all other railway companies Government has administered through separate department find separate railway budget was presented till now but from $2017-18$ presenting separate railway budget $18$ discontinued and it is included in regular budget.
Indian railway's network is first in the Asian countries and 4th biggest network in the world.
It is the largest enterprise of the Government of India.
More than $16$ lakh people are employed in the Indian railway.
In $2012$ railway transported $8200$ million passengers and $970$ million tones goods.
Railway holds significant status in the development of Indian economy.
Therefore during planning development and modernization of Indian railway is encouraged.
The encouragements are as given below.
$(1)$ In every budget proposal is made to install new lines to develop old lines. In each planning the function of conversion is being made speedy to modernize railway.
$(2)$ Attempts are made to make travelling more comfortable and safer.
$(3)$ For facilities of passengers, railway stations are being equipped With modern facilities.
Facilities of cold drinks, 'snacks', book stalls, and chairs for waiting etc. are provided in railway.
$(4)$ Railway compartments are also being modernized so that passengers would feel more comfortable during travel.
$(5)$ To make the travel faster railway is more and more electrified.
In the earlier times coal driven engines were used and today diesel and electricity are its substitutes.
$(6)$ Through modernization of railway the speed of train has increased the time.
So that time of travelling between two places is saved and goods are transported faster.
$(7)$ To reduce the problem of travelling Telgo and bullet trains are started.
Besides, Metro Train also is started.
All these are the forms of modernization.
$3.$ Importance of Railways in India:
Development of railways in India has played the role of an engine of economic development.
$(1)$ Owing to the progress of railway occupational velocity has become remarkable.
Heavy machinery required for production, raw material, or semi finished goods are transported to industries and finished goods are brought in the market.
All these have been through railway and as a result of it, business has been become progressive and farther.
$(2)$ Long distance travel has become comfortable, speedy and safe.
Therefore geographical dynamism of a labourer has increased.
It has provided labour to trade and commerce.
$(3)$ Due to the development of railway, agriculture sector has developed faster.
Required fertilizers for agriculture, equipments are sent to distant places through railway and agriculture products are transported to the market and farmers have been able to attain reasonable price.
$(4)$ India's foreign trade has developed through the development of railway.
Transportation of goods from the interior parts of the country is very fast and safely it is carried out through railway.
$(5)$ Tourism sector is developed due to the progress of railway and indirectly new sector of employment has developed with the development of railway.
Contact with various areas has been possible which results into cultural integrity in the nation.
Therefore development of railway has proved important link for national integrity.
$(6)$ Railway carries goods and provides faster service during natural calamities like famine flood, etc. and saves the lives of many people.
Services of railway are important to maintain national unity and integrity.
$4.$ Challenge faced by Indian Railway:
Attempts are made for development of railway during planning yet there are many challenges before this sector.
They are as under:
$(1)$ Compared to other countries in our railway the use of modern technology is limited.
Speedy measures should be taken in this direction.
$(2)$ The facilities of railway, looking to India's geographical area and the requirements of the nation are inadequate.
$(3)$ Shortage of finance and problem of good administration are serious challenges.
Due to large scale corruption prevailing in this sector however big amount allocated to railway, it is always inadequate.
As it is managed by public enterprise there is lack of efficiency.
Frequent accidents are its evidences.
$(4)$ Attempts are made to increase facilities for passengers but they are insufficient.
$(5)$ Regional inequality is observed in the development of railway.
Even after so many years of planning, certain areas are far away from the facilities of railway.
Along with public sector co-operation of private sector should be taken for speedy development of railway in India.
This can solve the problem of shortage of finance and the problem of administration.
Steps should be taken to increase load bearing capacity, with proper planning so maximum utilization of established railway lines be carried out.
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