STRUCTURE

Introduction – A short introduction ( 15 words)                     

Body – Explain importance of transportation system in Karnataka (220 words)

Conclusion – Mention a short conclusion  (15 words)

ANSWER

Karnataka is primarily an agricultural state. Different means of transport facilities are necessary to transport food grains and other agricultural produce, to the market, minerals from mines, manufactured goods from the factories, people from one place to another and for various other purposes. Karnataka has well developed road, rail, water and air transport facilities.

• AIR TRANSPORT SYSTEM: In the year 1996 state airport of Bengaluru was declared as a International Airport. Belagavi, Hubballi, Mysuru and Mangaluru have domestic airports. New airports are being established in Hassan and Kalaburagi. The international airport which was in HAL was shifted to Devenahalli, about 34 kms away, on 24th May 2008. The HAL airport is now being utilized for the training of pilots. The Devenahalli International Airport is the countrys first green airport.
• ROAD TRANSPORT: Road transport has been in use from ancient times in Karnataka. Kings and emperors constructed roads for the use of their soldiers and for administrative purposes. At present, the total length of the roads is 2,31,062 kms. Of which, 35.70% are metalled (asphalted) roads whereas 64.30% are unmetalled roads. There has been an improvement in the quality of roads constructed too.
• WATER TRANSPORT: Karnataka has inland as well as sea waterways. Their availability is limited and so, not very significant in transport. Earlier, the inland waterways were confined to small rowing boats, dingies and rafts. At present, motor boats have come into existence. They are used in Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada districts. These districts have Kali, Sharavathi and Nethravathi rivers which help in inland water transport. Boats are used in some places to cross the Krishna river.
• NATIONAL HIGHWAYS: At present, there are 14 national highways in Karnataka. Their total length is 4,491 kms. They have not been located equally among all the districts of the state. Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura, Belagavi, Shivamogga, Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru, Dakshina Kannada and Ballari districts have more National highways. The main National highways passing through the state are NH-04, NH-07, NH-206, NH-209, NH-212 NH-13, NH-17, and NH-48.
• PORTS: In Karnataka, there are about 23 small and large ports. The Port Development Authority came into being in the year 1957, and there was an expansion in water transport. The New Mangaluru Port was declared the 9th major port of the country on 4th May, 1974. It is called the Gateway of Karnataka. In addition to the Mangaluru port, ten smaller ports have been developed. These are Old Mangaluru Port, Malpe, Hangarakatte, Kundapura, Padubidri, Bhatkal, Honnavara, Tadri, Belekeri and Karwar. Of these, Karwar is the most beautiful port.
• STATE HIGHWAYS: Roads which link the capital city of Bengaluru with district headquarters, major towns and other highways are called State Highways. The construction and maintenance of these roads rests with the State Government. Karnataka has 20,905 kms of state highways. Belagavi has the longest state highway whereas Bengaluru has the least.
• DISTRICT ROADS: Roads which link district headquarters with taluk headquarters, major towns, villages, railways and major highways are called District roads. The construction, maintenance and supervision of these roads is under the Zilla Parishat. Karnataka state has 47,836 kms of district highways. Tumakuru district has maximum district highways, and Raichur has the least.
• VILLAGE ROADS: Roads which link taluk headquarters with village and district highways are called village roads. The construction and maintenance of these roads is under the taluk panchayat and village panchayat. The quality of these roads is not good, and in some parts, it is very difficult to travel on these roads. Karnataka has 1,47,212 kms of village roads.
• RAILWAYS: In Karnataka, railway is the second most important mode of transport next to roadways. Today, Karnataka has 3244 kms of railway track. In Karnataka state, there is no uniform distribution of railway tracks in all the districts. Bengaluru, Ballari, Belagavi, Hassan, Uttara Kannada, Chitradurga, Udupi, Ramnagar and Dakshina Kannada districts have an average of 150 to 200 km long railway track. Kodagu district has no any railway tracks.
• THE KONKAN RAILWAY: This is the most important railway route of West Coast. It links Mangaluru and Mumbai, and has reduced the time for travelling from 41 to 18 hours. Its length is 273 kms with 13 main and 310 other bridges. Of these, Sharavathi river bridge (2.2 kms) the longest bridge and Kali river bridge (1.2 kms) are the important bridges. Since this railway passes through many tunnels and across bridges, one can enjoy the natural beauty and scenery.
• METRO RAIL: Bengaluru has grown tremendously as a metropolitan city. Transportation has become a major problem. To overcome this problem, Namma Metro Rail Transport Plan is being implemented. On 20th October 2011, the first Metro rail between Byappanahalli and M.G. Road was started. Other Metro rail tracks are at different stages of completion.