Road transportation is classified by which roads?

The most preferred means of transportation, especially for short distances, are roadways. Road transportation has huge importance as it provides direct connectivity to all the places. Not only through plains, but even difficult terrains like deserts, forests, and mountains are also accessible through roads. India has a well-connected system of road networks. It can be classified as follows:

• Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways: It is a major road project linking Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata by six-lane Super Highways. The North-South corridors linking Srinagar and Kanyakumari and the East-West Corridor connecting Silcher and Porbandar are also a part of the project. It reduces the time and distance between these mega cities of India. These projects are undertaken and implemented by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

• National Highways: National Highways link the extreme parts of the country. These are the chief road system of the country. These road networks are laid and maintained by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). A large number of major National Highways run in North-South and East-West directions.

• State Highways: These are the roads linking the state capital with different parts to the cities, towns and district and different district headquarters. They also connect the state with the national highways and highways of the neighbouring states. These roads are constructed and maintained by the State Public Works Department (PWD).

• District Roads: These roads connect the district headquarters with other places of the district, main cities, and industrial areas. These roads are maintained by the Zila Parishad.

• Other Roads: It includes rural roads, which link rural areas and villages with towns. These roads received a special incentive under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana.

• Border Roads: These roads are of strategic importance in the northern and north-eastern border areas. It is constructed and maintained by the Border Roads Organisation.