We find that basically transport is possible through land, air or water and the various modes of transport can be broadly divided into three categories: Land transport, Water transport and Air transport.
Road Transport
Part of Land transport, roads are the means that connect one place to another on the surface of the land.
Advantages of Road transport
- It is a relatively cheaper mode of transport as compared to other modes
- Perishable goods can be transported at a faster speed by road carriers over a short distance
- It is a flexible mode of transport as loading and unloading is possible at any destination. It provides door-to-door service
Limitations of Road transport
- Due to limited carrying capacity road transport is not economical for long distance transportation of goods
- Transportation of heavy goods or goods in bulk by road involves high cost
- It is affected by adverse weather conditions. Floods, rain, landslide, etc., sometimes create obstructions to road transport
Rail transport
Transportation of goods on rail lines through trains is called rail transport. It occupies an important place in land transport system of our country and is the most dependable mode of transport to carry goods over a long distance.
Advantages of Rail transport
- It is a convenient mode of transport for travelling long distances
- It is relatively faster than road transport
- It is suitable for carrying heavy goods in large quantities over long distances
- Its operation is less affected by adverse weathers conditions like rain, floods, fog, etc
Limitations of Railway transport
- It is relatively expensive for carrying goods over short distances
- It is not available in remote parts of the country
- It provides service according to fixed time schedule and is not flexible for loading or unloading of goods at any place
Pipelines transport
In modern times, pipelines are used for various purposes. Petroleum and natural gas are also transported from one place to another through pipelines. This is the most convenient as well as economical mode of transport for petroleum as well as natural gas in comparison to road and rail transport, provided the volume to be transported is large. But the cost of installation and maintenance requires large capital investment. Pipelines can be the target of vandalism, sabotage, or even terrorist attacks. In war, pipelines are often the target of military attacks, as destruction of pipelines can seriously disrupt enemy logistics.
Water transport
Water transport refers to movement of goods on waterways by using various means like boats, steamers, launches, ships, etc. With the help of these means, goods are carried to different places, both within as well as outside the country. Within the country, rivers and canals facilitate the movement of boats, launches, etc.
Advantages of water transport
- It is a relatively economical mode of transport for bulky and heavy goods
- It is a safe mode of transport with respect to occurrence of accidents
- The cost of maintaining and constructing routes is very low as most of them are naturally made
- It promotes international trade
Limitations of water transport
- The depth and navigability of rivers and canals vary and thus, affect operations of different transport vessels
- It is a slow moving mode of transport and therefore not suitable for transport of perishable goods
- It is adversely affected by weather conditions
- Sea transport requires large investment on ships and their maintenance
Air transport
This is the fastest mode of transport. It carries goods through airways by using different aircrafts. It generally carries goods that are less bulky or of high value. In hilly and mountainous areas where other mode of transport is not accessible, air transport is an important as well as convenient mode.
International air transport is used for carrying goods between different countries. Air transport is carried out in fixed air routes, which connect almost all the countries.
Advantages of Air transport
- It is the fastest mode of transport
- It is very useful in transporting goods, which are not accessible by any other means
Limitations of air transport
- It is relatively more expensive mode of transport
- It is not suitable for transporting heavy and bulky goods
- It is affected by adverse weather conditions
- It is not suitable for short distance travel
Directorate General Of Foreign Trade | Ministry Of Commerce And Industry | Government Of India,Trade 