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West bengal has a well established transportation system that connects all parts of the state. This is partly responsible for the Investment in the state. Though the present transportation system is substantial, it needs to be developed further to keep pace with the rapid increase in use.
Categories:
Road Network:
The state of West Bengal is served by 92,023 km of roads within which, the National Highways cover a span of 2578 kms and State Highways 2,393 Km. The road density is 1.04 km per sq km, which is considerably higher than the national Average of 0.75 km. Keeping in mind the need for speed and quality in connectivity and a vehicle Population that is growing at over 11% per annum, the Government of West bengal has taken up an ambitious Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE renewal and expansion program.
Some ongoing Road projects in state are as follows :
- The North South Economic Order developed with the support of ADB at a cost of US$ 210 million with a view to link the southern Ports of Haldia and Kolkata with the northern hinterland of the State.
- Dankuni – Kolaghat, Dankuni – Kharagpur National Highway project. Vivekananda Bridge which is an approach to NH2 has been completed.
- Four laning of NH41 from Kolkaghat to Haldia, NH31 passing through North Bengal, NH117 from Kona to Netaji Subhas Docks, NH35 from Barasat to Petrapole and NH31 from Kolkata to Dalkhola.
- The State Government has also taken up Eastern link Highway project (100km) connecting Barasat to Raichak.
- Some major stretches of the Golden Quadrilateral project undertaken by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will pass through major North Bengal Districts.
- Entire stretch of roads connecting Bengal with the North Eastern States and Bihar has been strengthened and improved.
- Entire stretch of NH2 connecting Kolkata to New Delhi is being widened to 4 lanes. The Durgapur and Kona Expressways are fully operational and provide easier access to Kolkata from NH2.
Railway network:
The total railway route length is around 4,481 km. Kolkata is the headquarters of three zones of the Indian Railways — Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway and the Kolkata Metro which is the newly formed 17th Zone of the Indian Railways.The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) plies in the northern parts of the state. The Kolkata metro is the country’s first underground railway.The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, part of NFR, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kolkata metro : The master plan prepared by them in 1971 envisaged a network of 97.50 km consisting of three North-South corridors of which three were selected for detailed planning. These three lines were Dumdum – Tollygunge, Bidhannager – Ramrajatala and Dakshineswar – Thakurpukur. Based on traffic studies, the Dumdum – Tollygunge corridor was first selected for implementation and work started on 29th December, 1972. On 24th October 1984,the first stretch, a length of about 3.4 km between Esplanade and Bhowanipur was completed, the first metro line in India. Over the years, others stretches on the corridor were gradually completed and some extensions were also made. This corridor was extended to New Garia as late as 2010. The people of Kolkata, enjoyed benefits of a modern metro system. It today carries about 5 lakh passengers a day.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway : The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the first, and still the most outstanding example of a hill passenger Railway. Open in 1881, it applied bold and ingenious engineering solutions to the problem of establishing and effect rail link across a mountainous terrain of great beauty. It is still fully operational and retains most of its original features intact. While Darjeeling was growing, Rowland Macdonald Stephenson was crusading his battle for railway extension in India. In 1849, he was able to extract favourable conditions including a guarantee of return on the capital. He promoted East Indian Railway Co. (EIR).
West Bengal railway in Budget 2017 : The total outlay for railway projects for West Bengal has actually gone by over 70% as compared to 2016-17. The 2017-18 outlay for West Bengal is Rs 6,336 crore as compared to Rs 3,820 crore in the previous year. A major chunk of this allocation will go for Metro Railway projects in Kolkata, some of which are nearing completion in a phase-wise manner.
Airways in West Bengal : Kolkata is well connected to the rest of India and all other prime locations of the world by the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Kolkata Airport had international traffic of approx. 1.2 million and domestic traffic of approx. 10 million . Currently, the Kolkata International Airport is being modernized with an investment of US$ 30 million, which includes the development of a new integrated cargo complex. There is another airport at Bagdogra, which links Siliguri with the important destinations within the country. The importance of Bagdogra airport has increased with Siliguri becoming the gateway to North Eastern States and a vital trade and Logistics hub for the entire region. The State Government has set up a perishable goods cargo complex at Bagdogra airport. The State Government is actively engaged in making the existing airport at Cooch Behar fully operational with the help of the Airports Authority of India.
Some of the important airports in West Bengal are as follows :
Kolkata : Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport ( Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is the only international airport in Kolkata. It is basically located in Dum Dum, about 17 km from the main Township of Kolkata. The airport was earlier known as Dum Dum Airport, but was later renamed, in the honor of Subhas Chandra Bose. It was inaugurated in 1924 and since then, it has served as the international terminal for all the North-eastern states of India. The domestic terminal of the airport was started in 1990. This airport also caters to cargo Services, along with passenger services. It also serves as a military enclave for Dum Dum Air Force Station.
Behala Airport
Balurghat Airport
Cooch Behar Airport
Bagdogra Airport
Bagdogra Airport is a domestic airport in Bagdogra city, which is about 14 km from the city of Siliguri. The airport had earlier served as a base for the Air Force of India. After the Air Force shifted its base to Hasimara, in the Dooars region of North Bengal, the airport was allowed to run domestic flights. Bagdogra Airport serves as an important base for those who desire to access the north eastern states of India. Regular flights from Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata connect to this airport.
Asansol-Durgapur : Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport (India’s first Aerotropolis and first privately managed airport, located in Andal (a sub-div of Durgapur,Asansol) developed by Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited. West Bengal’s second largest airport.)
Waterways in West bengal : The Government of India has declared the entire stretch of Ganges between Haldia and Allahabad as National Waterway (NW1). The 560 km Haldia – Farakka stretch of NW1 in West Bengal will be developed as a part of the multi modal system for cargo tariff from Nepal, Bhutan, North Bengal & North Eastern States. The Transport Department, GoWB has initiated plans to reclaim the North Canal system, a 43 kms stretch of canal that stretches from the river Hooghly right across to the river Raimangal on the Bangladesh border. This was once the artery of trade which can restore trade links and lead to substantial Economic Development of the region.
The Kolkata Port Trust manages the Kolkata and the Haldia docks.There is passenger service to Port Blair on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and cargo ship service to ports in India and abroad, operated by the Shipping Corporation of India. Ferry is a principal mode of transport in the southern part of the state, especially in the Sundarbans area. Kolkata is the only city in India to have trams as a mode of transport and these are operated by the Calcutta Tramways Company.
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West Bengal is a state in eastern India. It is the third most populous state in India, with a population of over 91 million people. The state is home to a number of major cities, including Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal.
West Bengal has a well-developed transportation system. The state has a number of airports, including Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, which is the busiest airport in eastern India. The state also has a number of railway stations, including Howrah Junction, which is the busiest railway station in India. West Bengal has a well-developed road network, with a total length of over 100,000 kilometers. The state also has a number of water transport systems, including the Hooghly River, which is a major river in West Bengal.
The transportation system in West Bengal is important for the state’s economy. The transportation system allows people and goods to move around the state, which helps to promote economic activity. The transportation system also helps to attract tourists to West Bengal, which is a major Source Of Income for the state.
The transportation system in West Bengal is facing a number of challenges. The state’s population is growing rapidly, which is putting a strain on the transportation system. The state’s infrastructure is also aging, which is leading to a number of problems, such as traffic congestion and delays. The state government is working to address these challenges, but it is a difficult task.
Despite the challenges, the transportation system in West Bengal is a vital part of the state’s economy. The transportation system allows people and goods to move around the state, which helps to promote economic activity. The transportation system also helps to attract tourists to West Bengal, which is a major source of income for the state.
Airports
West Bengal has two major airports: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata and Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport (RGN) in Durgapur. CCU is the busiest airport in eastern India, handling over 25 million passengers in 2019. RGN is a smaller airport, handling around 1 million passengers in 2019.
Buses
West Bengal has a large network of bus services, operated by both private and government companies. The state government-run West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBSTC) is the largest bus operator in West Bengal, with a fleet of over 10,000 buses. WBSTC operates services to all parts of the state, as well as to neighboring states.
Railways
West Bengal has a well-developed railway network, with over 3,000 kilometers of track. The state is served by both the Indian Railways and the Eastern Railway. The Indian Railways is the largest railway network in India, with over 65,000 kilometers of track. The Eastern Railway is one of the 17 zones of the Indian Railways, and it is responsible for operating railway services in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha.
Roads
West Bengal has a well-developed road network, with over 100,000 kilometers of roads. The state government is responsible for maintaining the state’s roads, and it has been investing heavily in road infrastructure in recent years. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for maintaining the national highways in West Bengal.
Water transport
West Bengal has a number of rivers, including the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Hooghly. The state also has a number of canals. Water transport is an important mode of transportation in West Bengal, and it is used to transport both passengers and goods. The state government is working to develop water transport infrastructure in West Bengal, and it has been building a number of new terminals and jetties in recent years.
What are the different modes of transport in West Bengal?
The different modes of transport in West Bengal are:
- Air: The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is the main airport in West Bengal. It is located in Dum Dum, Kolkata.
- Rail: The Eastern Railway and the South Eastern Railway are the two main railway zones in West Bengal. The Eastern Railway is headquartered in Kolkata, while the South Eastern Railway is headquartered in Kharagpur.
- Road: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for the maintenance of national highways in West Bengal. The state government is responsible for the maintenance of state highways and major district roads.
- Water: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is responsible for the development and maintenance of inland waterways in West Bengal. The state government is responsible for the maintenance of minor canals and rivers.
What are the major transport hubs in West Bengal?
The major transport hubs in West Bengal are:
- Kolkata: Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal and the most populous city in the state. It is a major transportation hub for air, rail, and road.
- Howrah: Howrah is a city in West Bengal, located on the banks of the Hooghly River. It is a major transportation hub for rail and road.
- Siliguri: Siliguri is a city in West Bengal, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a major transportation hub for road and rail.
- Durgapur: Durgapur is a city in West Bengal, located in the Durgapur Steel Plant area. It is a major transportation hub for road and rail.
- Asansol: Asansol is a city in West Bengal, located in the Damodar Valley. It is a major transportation hub for road and rail.
What are the major transport problems in West Bengal?
The major transport problems in West Bengal are:
- Traffic congestion: Traffic congestion is a major problem in Kolkata and other major cities in West Bengal. This is due to the increase in the number of vehicles, poor road infrastructure, and lack of public transportation.
- Road accidents: Road accidents are a major problem in West Bengal. This is due to the poor condition of roads, reckless driving, and lack of awareness among drivers.
- Lack of public transportation: There is a lack of public transportation in West Bengal. This is due to the poor condition of public buses, lack of investment in public transportation, and lack of awareness among people about the benefits of public transportation.
What are the solutions to the transport problems in West Bengal?
The solutions to the transport problems in West Bengal are:
- Improve road infrastructure: The government should improve the road infrastructure in West Bengal. This includes widening roads, constructing flyovers and underpasses, and improving the Drainage System.
- Promote public transportation: The government should promote public transportation in West Bengal. This includes providing subsidies for public buses, constructing more bus stops and terminals, and improving the quality of public buses.
- Raise awareness about road safety: The government should raise awareness about road safety in West Bengal. This includes conducting awareness campaigns, enforcing traffic rules, and providing training to drivers.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a mode of transport in West Bengal?
(A) Road
(B) Rail
(C) Air
(D) Water
Answer
(C) Air
Question 2
The Howrah Bridge is a bridge over the Hooghly River in West Bengal. It is one of the longest cantilever bridges in the world. Which of the following is not a fact about the Howrah Bridge?
(A) It was built in 1943.
(B) It is 1,500 meters long.
(C) It is 26 meters wide.
(D) It is made of steel and concrete.
Answer
(D) It is made of steel and concrete.
Question 3
The Sealdah railway station is the busiest railway station in West Bengal. It is located in the city of Kolkata. Which of the following is not a fact about the Sealdah railway station?
(A) It was built in 1854.
(B) It is the headquarters of the Eastern Railway zone of Indian Railways.
(C) It has 26 platforms.
(D) It is the third busiest railway station in India.
Answer
(D) It is the third busiest railway station in India.
Question 4
The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is the largest airport in West Bengal. It is located in the city of Kolkata. Which of the following is not a fact about the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport?
(A) It was opened in 2012.
(B) It is the fourth busiest airport in India.
(C) It has two terminals.
(D) It is named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, an Indian nationalist leader.
Answer
(C) It has two terminals.
Question 5
The Kolkata Port is one of the oldest ports in India. It is located in the city of Kolkata. Which of the following is not a fact about the Kolkata Port?
(A) It was founded in 1690.
(B) It is the busiest port in eastern India.
(C) It handles about 10 million tonnes of cargo annually.
(D) It is the only major port in India that is not located on the coast.
Answer
(D) It is the only major port in India that is not located on the coast.