Waterways, Airways, Communication & International Trade

NCERT Contemporary India-II | Chapter 7: Lifelines of National Economy

Waterways

Waterways^? are the cheapest means of transport, most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods. They are fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. India has inland navigation waterways stretching 14,500 km. The National Waterways Act 2016 declared 111 inland waterways as National Waterways.

Five Original National Waterways

Other important inland waterways include those along the Mandavi, Zuari, and Cumberjua rivers, the Sunderbans, the Barak river, and the backwaters of Kerala. About 95 per cent of India's trade by volume (68 per cent by value) is carried by sea.

Major Sea Ports

India has a long coastline of 7,516.6 km, dotted with 12 major ports and 200 non-major (minor/intermediate) ports. These major ports handle 95 per cent of India's foreign trade.

Other major ports include: Mormugao (Goa) — premier iron ore exporter accounting for about 50% of India's iron ore export; New Mangalore (Karnataka) — exports iron ore concentrates from Kudremukh; Cochin — extreme south-western port at a lagoon entrance; V.O. Chidambaranar (Tuticorin) — natural harbour with rich hinterland; Paradwip (Odisha) — iron ore export specialist; Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Kolkata — inland riverine port serving the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin; and Haldia — subsidiary port relieving pressure on Kolkata.

Airways

Air travel is the fastest, most comfortable, and prestigious mode of transport. It can cover difficult terrains including high mountains, deserts, dense forests, and long oceanic stretches with great ease. Air transport is especially vital for India's north-eastern states, where big rivers, dissected relief, dense forests, and international frontiers make surface transport extremely challenging.

Pawanhans Helicopters Ltd. provides helicopter services to ONGC for offshore operations and to inaccessible areas in the north-eastern states, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Communication

India has one of the largest telecom^? networks in Asia. Over two-thirds of villages have been covered with STD telephone facility. The government aims to provide 24-hour STD to every village by integrating space and communication technology.

Mass communication includes radio (All India Radio / Akashwani), television (Doordarshan, one of the world's largest terrestrial networks), newspapers (published in about 100 languages), magazines, books, and films (India is the largest feature film producer globally).

The Indian postal network is the largest in the world, handling both parcels and personal communications. Six mail channels — Rajdhani, Metro, Green, Business, Bulk Mail, and Periodical — facilitate quick delivery.

International Trade

The balance of trade^? is the difference between a country's exports and imports. When exports exceed imports, it is a favourable balance; when imports exceed exports, it is unfavourable.

India's major exports: gems and jewellery, chemicals, agriculture and allied products, and IT software services. Major imports: petroleum crude and products, gems and jewellery, chemicals, base metals, electronic items, machinery, and agricultural products. India has emerged as a global software giant, earning substantial foreign exchange through IT exports.

Tourism as a Trade

Tourism in India has grown remarkably, supported by government initiatives like Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Vibrant Village Programme, PRASHAD, and Paryatan Mitra. Tourism promotes national integration, supports local handicrafts, and develops international understanding about Indian culture and heritage. Foreign tourists visit India for heritage, eco, adventure, cultural, medical, and business tourism.