Foregoing analysis leads us to conclude that there is lack of proper co-ordination between different modes of transport and despite positive development in transport sector it has not been able to fully meet the national demand.
There are several areas in the country which are devoid of modern means of transport. Many villages of the country are still not linked by all-weather roads and remain isolated for most of the year.
There exists neck to neck competition between railways and roads which depict faulty nature of transport planning in the country. Very little efforts have been made to develop water transport. Country has to spend huge sum to pay shipping freight. Air travel is costlier, and confined to selected pockets of the country. Above description emphasizes for chalking out a comprehensive transport policy for the country which should be based on the existing scenario and future needs of the country. Following viewpoints are worthy of consideration in formulating such policies:
Transport plan should be prepared taking into consideration the geographical conditions of the region in mind. For example, roads and railways are popular means of transport in plain areas but in hilly and mountainous areas road and air transport can help in removing the inaccessibility.
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A comprehensive transport plan should be chalked out to promote complementarily and integration amongst different means of transport. Efforts should be made to remove monopoly and curb competition. While railways should be developed for long distance bulk traffic, roads should be laid down complementary to former short range traffic of diverse origin and door to door service. Similarly, inland waterways should be used for transporting heavy and bulky goods. It may also be developed in those areas where road-rail transports are not developed. It may also be developed to ease mounting pressure on the surface transport.
The entire railway transport should be brought to single broad gauge to avoid transport bottleneck and transshipment. New technology should be introduced to avoid congestion on railway routes and improve its performance including curbing rail accidents, avoiding pilferage and improving passenger amenities. Efforts should be made to increase railway revenues, obtain government grants for meeting social obligation, hiring railway land/property to generate additional fund for development and dismantling uneconomic rail lines.
The road transport needs greater planning for improving its efficiency and performance. In addition to constructing multi-lane national highways and express ways for smooth running of traffic on trunk routes road network should also to extend to inaccessible areas inhabited by tribal’s.
While preparing future plans for transport development long-term perspective should be kept in mind. Along with increasing transport density there should be qualitative improvement in transport services. While railways should be developed to reduce pressure on road transport air services may be augmented to lessen burden on rail routes. Introduction of new technology would prove beneficial to achieve these objectives. Inter-city transport should be rationalised on the basis of actual travel times. This needs improvement in railway tracks and introduction of high-speed trains.
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There is a need for train-plane inters modality so as to install railway stations inside the passenger terminals at airports and make room for easy transfer of passengers and freight from plane to rail and vice- versa.
Disparities in road management and taxation should be removed to introduce similar tariff and taxation system throughout the country.
There is a need for greater attention of the development of water transport which ischeaperand cost effective. The fuller utilization of water transport will ease the mounting pressure on the surface transport remarkably.
The existing infrastructure for the transport sector should be optimally utilized through better management. The up gradation of the technology should be given proper place for the improvement of the sector as a whole.
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Another important aspect of the transport planning is related to diversification. But along with diversification the process of technological up gradation and innovation should be given due credit.
There should be greater involvement of the private sector in transport development. This will attract more capital for transport up gradation and improve the working of transport services.