Transport in India: types, features, tips for tourists. Public transport in India Factors shaping the transport system of India
Transport India
International connections
The network of international air transportation provided by Air India and other airlines is well developed in India. Indian Airlines provides flights on domestic routes and to nearby countries. In addition to air, there are sea and land routes with the following countries: Sri Lanka (ferries from Rameswaram (the line is not serviced during the monsoons); Pakistan (currently the only route ground transport, connecting Amritsar and Lahore); Nepal (the most practical and popular route- by rail, to Raxaul (Bihar), and then by bus to Kathmandu; there is a train to Nanthanwa (Uttar Pradesh) and then a bus to Kathmandu/Pokhara or from Bhairawa to Lumbini transiting to Pokhara; you can travel by bus through the southern valleys from Darjeeling to Kathmandu); Bhutan (by train to Siliguri, then by bus to Phuntsholing; there are also flights from Kolkata to Paro (Thimphu) operated by Druk Air); Bangladesh (by train from Kolkata to Bangaon (West Bengal), by rickshaw across the Bengal border, changing at Khulna or Jessore for further travel to Dhaka or from Darjiding via Siliguri, then by train or bus to Haldibari); Burma (no land connections); China (no land connection).
Aviation transport
India has 4 of the most major airports, of which two are international - Delhi and Bombay.
Delhi ("Delhi International"), 21 km southwest of the city. From the airport there are charter buses along Conut Place and taxis (at a fixed rate, order within the airport).
Mumbai (Bombay), 29 km north of the city(travel time 40 minutes). Charter buses to Air India office and major hotels. Taxi to the city at a fixed rate.
Kolkata, 17 km northeast of the city (travel time 20 minutes). There are charter buses to the Indian Airlines office and major hotels. You can also get to the city by taxi.
Chennai (Madras), 16 km southwest of the city. The charter bus meets all flights arriving between 09:00 and 23:00. Train every 20-30 minutes from 05:00 to 23:00. Regular bus every 35 minutes from 05:00 to 22:00. Taxi.
Indian airlines serves one of the world's largest networks of domestic flights - about 70 cities. Indian airlines also operate regular flights to neighboring countries- Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Maldives.
If you are traveling during the peak tourist season (September-March), then book your tickets in advance as flights are very busy at this time. You must arrive at the airport 2 hours in advance for check-in and special security controls at the airport. Some cities have air terminals from where buses will take you to the airport.
Passengers flying to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, including children, are charged a fee of Rs 50 or more; from passengers flying to other countries - from 100 rupees.
In-flight service is world class, but alcoholic drinks are only served on international flights. An adult passenger can carry 20 kg of baggage, and in business class - 30 kg.
The refund fee for tickets purchased locally is very high, but this does not apply to tickets for local flights included in a single international ticket.
In India, the “Discover India” program operates, which provides an unlimited number of economy class flights on all domestic airlines. The same point can be visited only once, with the exception of transfers. Price: US$750. The program is valid for 21 days, starting from the date of the first flight.
India Youth Tariff Program. Passengers aged 12 to 30 years old can travel at the youth fare in economy or business class on domestic Indian routes and India-Nepal flights. 25% discount on ticket price in US dollars. Valid for 120 days.
Program "Excursion to south india". Flight in economy class between any points in South India - Chennai (Madras), Trichy, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Coimbatore and Bangalore. For single tourists, this program is valid subject to the purchase of tickets for a flight from Maldives or from Sri Lanka to India via Chennai (Madras), Tiruchirappalli or Thiruvananthapuram.
New domestic airlines
Recently, the Indian government has given permission for the operation of private airlines operating under the name "Aviataxi". Along with the state-owned Indian Airlines, nine private companies can offer convenient and profitable programs throughout the country.
Private airlines "Jagsons", "Modiluft", "Jet Airways", "East-West Airlines", "Sahara" serve only certain domestic airlines.
Flight schedules are published in the magazines "Divan" and "Excel" and shown in teletexts. You can also find them at travel agencies and major airports.
Railway
India's international rail network is the largest in Asia and the second largest in the world. It consists of 62,300 km of rails, more than 7,030 railway stations and more than 11,200 locomotives. The fare is relatively inexpensive. Large quantity express trains connect major cities. Where the train service is interrupted, you can get from station to station by bus.
Categories of travel are different, starting with the most expensive 1st class with air conditioning (the cost of a ticket is comparable to the cost of travel of a similar class in other countries), and ending with the cheapest option - a general carriage with a ticket without a seat. There are also air-conditioned sleeping carriages with two-berth compartments, as well as air-conditioned seating carriages (both II class); There are II class carriages with fans.
Upon arrival in the country, it is advisable to book train tickets in advance according to your route. Many railway stations have computer systems that allow you to reserve tickets for travel from other cities. In large cities there are special tourist sections, whose staff speaks English, where they provide tickets to foreigners, but they must pay for them in US dollars (travelers' checks or cash are accepted). If it is not possible to book a ticket, but there is a huge need to travel, try talking to the station commander, perhaps he can allocate you a ticket from a tourist reservation or ticket refund office.
Excursion bureaus at railway ticket offices can provide assistance in planning trips and booking tickets.
Fans of railway travel can purchase a detailed timetable - "All India Railway Time-Table" or short but detailed timetables "Trains At A Glance".
Don't forget to check which station your train departs from, and arrive at the station at least an hour to half an hour before the train departs to find your carriage and seat. Passenger lists indicating compartment numbers and seats are posted one hour before train departure. The station employee and conductor responsible for dispatching the train will be able to assist you.
Trains in India are slower than in Europe, so if you are in a hurry, use the express trains. Train fares are relatively low.
Be careful with your luggage on the train. Stock up on locks and chains in advance in order to fasten it below the seats.
Food can be ordered through the carriage conductor, and on some trains the cost of food is included in the ticket price. Sleeping mattresses are issued for a fee on certain routes in class I and II carriages, but you can also pay the cost when ordering a ticket. Bed linen is provided only in 1st class carriages with air conditioning.
Rest rooms (for short stays only) are available at more than 1,100 stations; You can get into them on a first-come, first-served basis, but usually they are all busy. All first class lounges have couches for passengers, but you will need to bring your own bed linen. At the stations in New Delhi and Kolkata, halls have been built for transit passengers; rest rooms in them can be booked in advance.
Luggage storage facilities where passengers can leave their luggage are available at most train stations, but be sure to lock your suitcases and bags and don't lose your receipts. Check the operating hours of the luggage storage rooms to ensure you receive your luggage on time.
In India, there is a special “India Pass” program, when with one ticket a tourist can travel without restrictions on any trains during the validity period of the ticket. Only foreigners and Indian citizens living abroad with a valid passport can avail this program. The “Pass” can be purchased while in India or through travel agencies abroad. Payment is accepted only in freely convertible currency. Children aged 5 to 12 years old can travel with a Kids India Pass for just half the adult fare. Children under 5 years old travel free of charge. The ticket must be purchased before arriving in the country. Not sold in India. The “Pass” is personalized and cannot be transferred for use to another person. Travelers are required to have their passport ready in case of control. Pass holders are exempt from paying seat reservation fees and seat surcharges. sleeping car. By purchasing the Pass, you are freed from the need to go through all other formalities or worry about purchasing additional travel documents wherever you go. The "Pass" must be used within one year from the date of purchase. The validity period is calculated from the start of the first trip and ends at midnight after the expiration date indicated on it. The cost of the Pass is not refundable and cannot be replaced if lost or damaged. The “pass” can only be returned at the office where it was purchased, and the cost is reimbursed if the use of the document has not been started and if seats on the train have not yet been booked. "India Pass" can be purchased (it is recommended to do this at least a month in advance) from some agencies different countries or in India, at railway tourist escort offices, as well as at a number of official distributors of the Pass in New Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. You can also purchase the Pass at Delhi, Bombay and Madras international airports.
Motor transport
Within India there is an extensive network of bus routes connecting all parts of the country. This is especially true for those areas where there is no railway connection, in particular for high mountain areas. Older buses run on most rural roads, but express buses with air conditioning are increasingly appearing on main roads. On many routes, even local ones, tickets can be booked in advance. The bulk of luggage is transported on the roof of the bus, so suitcases must be locked and checked during stops.
Many cities have bus services.
In large cities, there are taxis and autorickshaws that charge a fee. They don't always have meters, but if there is a meter, request that it be switched when you board. Prices for taxi services change from time to time and therefore do not always correspond to the meter readings, but the driver must have a copy of the current tariff. Taxis come with or without air conditioning. Prices range from 325 to 450 rupees if the car is air conditioned. For trips outside the city, there is a per-kilometer rate, usually 2.30-3 rupees per kilometer in flat areas (usually 6 rupees per 1 km in mountainous areas), and a night trip rate of 100 rupees.
On its territory. Excursions offered by travel agencies do not cover even a hundredth part of its attractions and places with nature that have preserved their pristine nature since ancient times. For the same money you can really see a lot more, get acquainted with local life and its traditions, soak in the spirit of love and the magic of centuries-old history. Of course, moving “on your own two feet” is impossible to cope with such a task.
Long Distance Routes: Trains and Buses in India
at Jhansi station on the road from Khajuraho to Delhi
Indian trains
– great option inexpensive and convenient travel between cities. This trip will cost three times less than an analogue trip. Russian train. For example, the cost of a ticket on the Delhi-Trivandrum route (more than 2000 km across the entire country) in a 2AC class carriage(reserved seat with air conditioning) including meals will be about 4500 rupees. Lack of tickets for this class is a common occurrence for Indian railways. In this case, it is possible to purchase entrance ticket without a place. But this is only acceptable for a trip of no more than 3 hours.
FC class cars suitable for those who prioritize savings over comfort. The atmosphere in them is comparable to our electric trains: merchants, beggars and musicians create the appropriate surroundings. But the fee is almost symbolic 1000 rupees/1000 km.
Meals at Shatabdi Express
It will cost faster and more expensive
Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express
– modern, air-conditioned trains with soft seats. Shatabdi is focused on day trips. Rajdhani operate long distance routes between Delhi and state capitals. The price of a ticket for a 2-hour trip over a distance of 200 km is from 370 to 700 rupees, depending on the class of carriage.
For example, when traveling to India, we traveled along the Agra - Jhansi route on the Shatabdi Express.
Buses in India
In state capitals and major tourist centers Luxury and deluxe buses run express trains between cities in the state and beyond. 
Another option for traveling long distances at night is
slipper bass
They move at a speed of 80 km/h, so they will quickly deliver to their destination.
The disadvantage of such a trip is that it is almost impossible to sleep. High speed combined with Indian roads produces noticeable shaking. Plus, every 20 minutes the conductor announces stations “in a voice other than his own”, running through the cabin. In such conditions one can only dream of sleep. 🙂
Getting around the city: how people travel in public transport in India
The most common urban transport in India is
rickshaws.
Rickshaws include several varieties. Ordinary rickshaws, which are pulled by people, are banned in many cities due to their unaesthetic quality.
Pedicabs and auto-rickshaws are very popular.
Let's ride a rickshaw
TRISHAW is a regular bicycle with seat for the passenger.
It is not characterized by high speed, so it is convenient for sightseeing or traveling short distances in pedestrian areas.
The fare is negotiable, within 5 rupees per 1 km.
MOTORICKS– small funny 2-3 seater carriages mounted on a three-wheeled motorcycle chassis.
Motorized rickshaws on the streets of Delhi
Motorized rickshaws are best option for moving around the city and a good way to save time in traffic jams. The average tax per trip is 10 rupees/1 km. But this cost can be considered conditional, because persuading the driver to turn on the meter is almost impossible. Therefore, the cost of the trip to the destination must be negotiated in advance.
Within the city limits you can travel cheaply by
municipal buses.
Traveling in them is pennies even for decent distances.
The Internet is teeming with pictures of travel on a municipal bus of this kind: 
In fact, no one will “allow a white man” to travel in this way: they will let you through, they will even give up a seat to a woman, and no one will deliberately push you.
We traveled from the Taj Mahal to Agra on this bus (the Indians tried not to even touch us, stood aside and showed their respect - with gestures, facial expressions, smiles).
Some then “occupied” the bus as in the first photo, but we didn’t see this anymore since we were inside :) 
In large cities there are
metro.
With its help, you can easily and quickly find yourself almost anywhere in the city. Therefore, if your plans include Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore or Kolkata, then the metro is the fastest and most economical way to travel.
At the metro ticket office you can buy a tourist pass for just 100 rupees. It allows you to ride the metro all day without restrictions. For comparison, it will cost almost 10 times less than by rickshaw.
Thus, you should not be afraid to move around India on your own. The transport system in India is as developed as possible. Everyone decides for himself which method of moving around the city and beyond is suitable for him.
Taxi in India or rented car
ORDER A TAXI directly from the airport in Delhi to your hotel, or from the hotel to attractions, as well as from one city in India to another using the widget KIWI TAXI:
You can also drive along the roads of India in a rented car with a guide and driver as part of a tour of the city, which my Indian friend Deepak and I recently began conducting for tourists from Russia and neighboring countries.
From India to GOA or to Sri Lanka
If you need to get from India to GOA or Sri Lanka, then the fastest way to travel is by plane :)
I rode in India on trains, public buses, motorcycle and pedicabs
Katya Bashkurova.
IndiaPopulation
- 1,340,468,000 people
Territory - 3,287,263 km²
Capital - New Delhi
Ranks second in the world in terms of
population and seventh largest
territories
And by all these indicators, India
is largest country South
Asia
Ground transportation
Public, private and railwayPublic and private transport
Valid throughout Indialeft-hand traffic.
Total length of road
roads of the country - 3,316,452 km, of which 200 km
expressways (data on
2009). The basis of urban transport is
buses Poor technical condition
most buses, overcrowding
many lines, a large number
stops and an abundance of pickpockets, both on
stops and in the cabin - based on everything
this is what many tourists are advised to do
use bus routes
recommended with great caution.
At the same time, the bus remains the most
cheap (albeit the most inconvenient)
way to travel around the country. There are also three types of taxis in India:
actually a taxi,
auto rickshaws
and pedicabs The overwhelming number of roads in the country
is in a deplorable state. Trails
narrow, often lacking any
markings and road signs. State
the canvas is bad. Lots of potholes, holes,
cracks And all this against the backdrop of dense
traffic flow. Indian drivers do not comply
minimum rules of the road
movement, in the general flow often
oxcarts appear,
elephants regularly appear on the canvas,
sacred cows here (with their
when the traffic jam appears, it will remain there until
until the animal leaves on its own
roads)
Rail transport and metro
Indian territory coveredan extensive network of railways.
Total length of railways:
63.327 km.
Broad gauge: 49820 km - 1.676-meter gauge
(17,786 km electrified)
Narrow gauge: 10,621 km - 1,000-meter gauge (135
km electrified). Such large cities have their own subway
Indian cities like: New Delhi,
Mumbai, Kolkata,
Chennai The main volume of passenger and cargo
transportation is provided railways.
They run between major cities
high-speed trains and express trains. Mountain areas served
many lines built
the British, so the rolling stock
is far from new, but the road rut has
often different widths, hence the small
speed and frequent transfers
when traveling.
Air transport
Airports:345
Airports (with paved runway): 251
With a dirt runway:
94.
Helipads: 30 Air travel in India in recent years
are experiencing a real boom. About
three
dozens
airlines
carry out transportation throughout the country.
Airlines are well served
modern aircraft.
Water transport
Waterways: 14,500 km.Water transport is rather poorly developed.
In India, the lower reaches of the Ganges rivers are navigable,
Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri. Sea communication exists between
Port Blair, Kolkata and Madras (only
during the tourist season), and
between Calcutta and Madras. More
modern line - between Cochin and
Lakshadweep
islands.
There are regular services along the Kerala coast
passenger ships, several flights, including
number
real
wheeled
steamship,
connects Allapuja and Kovalam.
Runs between Mumbai (Bombay) and Goa
small catamaran
Page 3
8. Development of the transport complex.
India is one of the largest railway nations in the world. The length of its railways is about 62 thousand km.
Railways account for 55% of India's land transport, which amounts to 800 thousand tons of cargo and 9 million passengers daily. In terms of cargo transportation volume – 173 billion tons/km per year – India ranks 5th in the world. By 2000, the volume of traffic on Indian railways should almost double compared to 1985. The main increase in traffic is expected on the railways connecting the four largest cities - Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. Currently, it is planned to electrify more than 10 thousand km. Indian Railways are profitable. In 1984/85, they brought in revenue of 14.57 billion rupees to the central government of India.
The main cities of India are connected by national highways, which are constantly being expanded and reconstructed. These highways have very busy traffic, intercity transport is developed bus service. Total length highways India with hard, so-called “all-weather” surfaces for the period from 1950/51 to 19984/85 increased from 157 thousand km. Up to 833 thousand. However, only 1/3 have access to such roads settlements.
Most Indian roads, especially in the outback, are unpaved. During the rainy season they become impassable, and thousands of Indian villages then find themselves cut off from the outside world.
With a relatively small number of motor vehicles (5.2 million including 218 thousand buses, 734 thousand trucks and 1.5 million cars), India has high rates of road accidents.
India is a maritime power. It has 736 merchant marine vessels with a total capacity of 6.5 million tons. However, 62.9% of maritime trade is handled by the eight main ports. The largest among them is Bombay.
Reached significant development in India air transport– both on international and domestic routes. Bombay, Delhi and Kolkata are the largest international airports in India and also serve large number transit flights of foreign airlines from Europe to Southeast Asia and Australia. International airports there are also in Madras and Trivandrum.
9. Socio-economic development of individual areas. The reasons behind the unevenness in their socio-economic development. Alignment of levels of economic development.
Individual regions of India differ significantly in the level of socio-economic development and economic specialization. Each such region covers several states connected by a single geographic and economic community, and is rarely limited to one state.
The economic and geographical zoning of India is carried out by different researchers - Indian and foreign - in different ways. There are seven large economic-geographical regions in India: Northern (Uttar Pradish), North-Western (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradish), Eastern (West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa), North-Eastern ( Assam, Meghala, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh), Central (Madhya Pradesh), Western (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa) and Southern (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerama, Puttuchery, Lakshadweep). In this case, the Union Territory of Delhi is given a special place.
Delhi combines the functions of the political and administrative center of India with transport, industrial, and cultural ones. Precision engineering, metalworking, and the chemical industry were added to the old industries of textiles and food. There are three universities and dozens of research institutes in Delhi. The northern region is an agricultural state. It has 18.8 million hectares. Irrigated areas and is the largest producer of grains, including wheat, rice, barley, corn, potatoes, and fruits. The region produces half of India's sugarcane. Northern India stands on one of the last places in India in terms of industrial production and economic development.
The absence of large industry is significant for North-West India.
The unique combination of mineral resources of Eastern India determines the active industrialization of the region, the main coal and metallurgical base of India.
The Northeast is rich in hydropower resources, but due to the remoteness of the region, they are used extremely poorly.
Central India is the largest state by area and a leading center of the cotton industry.
Western India is the main oil-bearing region of the country.
The southern region is important for rice growing and is a major producer of cotton, oilseeds and coconuts.
10. External economic relations. Export. Import. Participation in integration economic unions
India's share in world trade is relatively low, moreover, this figure is trending downwards: India's share in world exports fell from 1.05% to 0.43%. At the same time, the absolute volume of both exports and imports of India is steadily increasing. India's main imports: oil and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, pearls and gems, mineral fertilizers, vegetable oils, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, chemical products.
India's main trading partners: for exports - the USA, Russia, Japan and Great Britain, for imports - Russia, the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Canada.
Main export commodities: tea, iron ore, cotton fabrics, ready-made garments, jute, leather and leather goods, pearls and precious stones, machinery and equipment.
Name: Economic characteristics of India
Chapter: Geography, Economic geography
Publication date: 2007-04-28 20:30:43
Read: 3256 times
2.8. Development of the transport complex.
Among developing countries, India stands out for its relatively developed transport network. Many roads were built during the colonial regime.
In domestic transportation, the main role is played by railways, the length of which is over 60 thousand km. Railways account for 55% of India's land freight transport, amounting to 800 thousand. tons of cargo and 9 million passengers daily. India ranks 5th in the world in terms of cargo transportation volume. The main highways run along the Ganges Valley and also along sea coasts. From major cities(Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Delhi) railway lines were laid into the interior of the country (double-track, broad gauge railways). But the condition of the road network and rolling stock is often unsatisfactory due to prolonged use and lack of funds for reconstruction. There is a large volume of transportation of goods and passengers.
National highways connect major cities and often double as railways. Road transport occupies second place in domestic transportation. The total length of Indian roads is 1970 thousand km. Including roads with hard, so-called “all-weather” surfaces, there are 960 thousand km. However, only about 1/3 of Indian settlements have access to such roads. Most Indian roads, especially in the outback, are unpaved. During the rainy season they become impassable, and thousands of Indian villages then find themselves cut off from the outside world.
River transport is not of great economic importance. Length of internal waterways is 16180 km. Foreign trade transportation is mainly carried out by maritime transport. The role of the domestic merchant fleet is growing. The largest sea ports- Bombay, Calcutta, Madras. India has 736 merchant marine vessels with a total capacity of 6.5 million tons. However, 62.9% of the country's sea freight transport is carried out by foreign vessels.
2.9. Socio-economic development of individual areas. The reasons behind the unevenness in their socio-economic development. Alignment of levels of economic development.
Individual regions of India differ significantly in the level of socio-economic development and economic specialization. Each such region covers several states connected by a single geographic and economic community, and is less often limited to one large state.
The economic and geographical zoning of India is carried out by different researchers - Indian and foreign - in different ways. Some regional differences in the economic life of this great country are given by the economic regions allocated on its territory: North-Eastern, Western, Southern and Central-Northern.
Northeast India is the most diversified economic region, within which a powerful industrial complex of the country has developed. The unique combination of mineral resources determines the active industrialization of the region, turning it into the main coal and metallurgical base of India during the years of independence. In the river valley Damodar concentrates about 60% of the country's coal deposits, including almost all proven reserves of coking coal. Southern part The Chhota Nagpur plateau is rich in high-quality iron ores. Large reserves of manganese ores and bauxites and well-known uranium deposits are also concentrated here. There are abundant reserves of non-metallic minerals - mica, refractory clays, limestones, etc.
On this basis, various groups of industries are developing: ferrous metallurgy (four large metallurgical plants out of five operate), thermal power engineering, the industry of mineral fertilizers and building materials, heavy metal-intensive engineering (production of mining and metallurgical equipment, excavators, vehicles - locomotives, railway cars ), as well as automotive industry, etc.
At the same time, the main crops of rice and almost all of the production of jute and tea are concentrated in North-Eastern India. The most important district-forming core here is Kolkata and its agglomeration, uniting more than 70 cities. Kolkata - former capital British India received impetus for development during the colonial period. Today Kolkata is a city of sharp social contrasts. Transport, housing, energy problems, as well as problems of water supply and food are very acute here. Today, almost all states of North-East India are drawn into its sphere of influence.
In some economic and geographical features, Western India resembles Northeastern India: their latitudinal location is approximately the same, and their levels of economic development are similar. However, the difference in specialization appears quite clearly.
Western India is the main oil-bearing region of the country. Oil and gas development is carried out in Gujarat in the area of Ankleshwar and the Gulf of Cambay, as well as in the area of the Bombay coastal plume (“Bombay arch”). 12 million tons of iron and 5 - 6 million tons of manganese ore are mined annually in Goa. Gujarat accounts for 60% of total Indian table salt production.
The main agricultural crops of the West are groundnuts (peanuts), cotton, sugarcane (in Maharashtra). Millet is sown in arid areas, and rice is sown on coastal lowlands and irrigated lands of river valleys. Some areas are famous for their fruits. Livestock farming, mainly dairy, is relatively developed. There are many fishing grounds along the entire coast of the Arabian Sea. Frozen fish from Gujarat even reaches the markets of Delhi. Maharashtra and Gujarat are the leading industrial states of India. 1/3 of the enterprises in the country's organized manufacturing sector and 27% of those employed in it are concentrated here. The traditionally developed cotton industry here in recent decades has been widely supplemented by oil refining and petrochemicals, medium and precision engineering enterprises. The chemical industry is developing rapidly, including the production of artificial fibers. The economic “heart” of Western India - Mumbai (Bombay) is the main seaport country, one of the largest industrial, trade, transport, financial and cultural centers.
The economic potential of South India is noticeably inferior to the two regions discussed above. The basis of its economy is agriculture.
South India is an important rice-growing region, a major producer of cotton and oilseeds, coconuts, and a major tobacco-growing region. Millet is also widely cultivated among food crops. In the Nilgiri mountain range there are plantations of tea, coffee (4/5 of the all-Indian coffee harvest is in Karnataka) and rubber-bearing hevea (90% of plantings are in Karal). The production of spices and herbs occupies an important place: Kerala produces 96% of black pepper, about 755 of cardamom and 40% of ginger. The state is also a major supplier of cashew nuts. Karnataka has developed sericulture (4/5 of total Indian silk production).
Among the mineral resources of South India, bauxite, mica, manganese ore, lignites, and copper should be highlighted. Iron ore is mined in Selam (Tamil Nadu). Titanium and ilmenite are extracted from the coastal monazite sands of Kerala. Kolar (Karnataka) is home to India's only gold mine - one of the deepest in the world; work is being carried out in it at a depth of 2895 m. Uranium ore deposits are being developed in Andhra Pradesh. This state also accounts for 100% of India's proven tungsten reserves.
South India is actively expanding its industrial potential. Traditional industries - processing of agricultural raw materials and the textile industry - have been supplanted in recent years by transport, medium and precision engineering, metallurgy, oil refining (Chinai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnami, etc.). South India is actively involved in the implementation of the Indian space program. There is a Satellite Development Center in Bangalore. Trivandrum is a center for space science and technology, which operates the spaceport at Thumba, from where meteorological rockets are launched. On the island of Sriharikota, north of Madras, a spaceport was built to launch more powerful rockets, including for launching artificial Earth satellites into orbit.
The largest city in South India, Madras, is the administrative center of the state of Tamil Nadu. This is the fourth largest city, one of the main ports and industrial hubs of the country.
Northern India, coinciding with the largest state - Uttar Pradesh, accounts for 9% of the territory and 1/6 of the country's population. This historical center Indian culture. Ancients holy cities Hardwar, Varanasi, Mathura inspired Indian philosophers, thinkers, poets and storytellers.
Uttar Pradesh is an agricultural state (86% of the population lives in rural areas) and is the largest producer of grains (about 21% of total Indian production), including wheat, rice, barley, corn, potatoes, and fruits. The region produces half of the sugar cane. Northern India ranks one of the last places in India in terms of industrial production and the pace of economic development. Traditionally, the leading industries here have been sugar, vegetable oils and leather processing (Kanpur and Agra). Important centers for training scientific personnel are concentrated in Uttar Pradesh: hundreds of colleges, dozens of universities.
Central India is essentially the largest state in the country by area, Madhya Pradesh (443.5 thousand km?). Approximately 1/3 of the state is covered by forests. Central India is still one of the most backward parts of the country. About 80% of the population lives in rural areas. Only 14% of cultivated areas are irrigated. The main food crops are: in the east - rice, in the west and northeast - wheat and plain (jowar). The main industrial crop is cotton of coarse short-fiber varieties. Oilseeds and sugar cane are cultivated. Programs for the widespread introduction of soybeans are being implemented. Industry is represented by cotton and oil factories, as well as sawmills and the extraction of manganese ores. And bauxite. This state ranks 1st in the country in limestone mining, which has given rise to a large cement industry. Large-scale development of refractory clays and kaolin will be introduced. India's only diamond mine is being developed in Panna. At the same time, during the years of independence, industrial construction has noticeably revived here. With the help of the USSR, a metallurgical plant was built in Bhilai, an aluminum smelter in Korba, and a number of enterprises in mechanical engineering, light industry, and electric power were built.
2.10. External economic relations, export, import. Participation in international economic unions.
Foreign trade is of considerable importance for the country's economy. However, India is still poorly involved in the international division of labor. Foreign trade turnover - 104 billion dollars, 2001. (exports - 43 billion dollars; imports - 61 billion dollars).
The country exports fabrics, finished garments, jewelry and precious stones, agricultural and food products, machinery, as well as ore minerals, medicines and other goods. India accounts for 21% of global tea exports.
India exports iron ore mainly to Japan and also to some European countries.
In the commodity structure of imports, there is a large share of fuel resources, machinery, equipment, weapons, and lubricating oils.
India's largest trading partners are the USA (19.3% of exports and 9.5% of imports), Germany, Japan, and Great Britain. Despite the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) established in 1985, the scale of foreign trade with the closest neighboring members of this bloc (Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.) is small. India's trade ties with Southeast Asian countries are expanding.
India is a member of such organizations as:
AfDB - African Development Bank;
ADDB - Asian Development Bank;
TKK - Commodity Credit Corporation;
WHO - World Health Organization;
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