Means of Transport in India: Complete Guide for JKSSB Exams

The spatial organization of an economy is inextricably linked to the robustness and efficiency of its transportation networks. For candidates preparing for the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) examinations, understanding the “Means of Transport of India” is not merely a requirement for the geography syllabus but a critical lens through which to view national development, regional integration, and strategic security. 

As of February 2026, the Indian transport sector is undergoing a paradigmatic shift characterized by unprecedented capital expenditure, technological indigenization, and a move toward multimodal synchronization under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. This blog provides an exhaustive examination of India’s transport architecture, integrating validated government data, current affairs, and theoretical frameworks essential for competitive excellence.   

PM Gati Shakti and Multimodal Integration

Modern transport planning in India has transitioned from fragmented, department-specific projects to an integrated ecosystem designed to reduce logistics costs and enhance global competitiveness. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, launched in October 2021, serves as the digital backbone for this transformation. By February 2026, the Network Planning Group (NPG) has evaluated 352 large-scale infrastructure projects with a cumulative estimated cost of ₹16.10 lakh crore. This framework ensures that any new transport initiative, whether a highway or a railway line, is synchronized with economic zones, industrial clusters, and last-mile connectivity requirements.   

The socio-economic implications of this integrated approach are particularly evident in geographically challenging regions. For instance, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) has not only provided all-weather connectivity but has also generated over 5 crore man-days of employment, fostering local skill development and economic resilience. In the context of JKSSB preparation, it is vital to recognize that transport infrastructure is a primary driver of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), with the J&K nominal GSDP pegged at ₹2.86 lakh crore for 2025-26.   

Table 1: Progress of Infrastructure Projects under PM Gati Shakti (as of February 2026)

Road Transport

Roadways remain the most critical component of India’s transport system, offering unparalleled flexibility and the unique advantage of door-to-door service. India currently possesses the second-largest road network globally, spanning approximately 63.45 lakh kilometers. While National Highways (NH) constitute only 2.3% of the total length, they accommodate over 40% of the country’s road traffic, making their expansion a high-priority government objective.   

The Evolution of the National Highway Network

Since 2014, the National Highway network has grown by approximately 61%, expanding from 91,287 km to 146,572 km as of December 2025. This growth is facilitated by flagship programs like the Bharatmala Pariyojana, which focuses on economic corridors, inter-corridors, and coastal connectivity. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has significantly accelerated construction rates, reaching an average of 28.3 km per day in 2022-23.   

Table 2: Comparative Growth of Road Infrastructure (2014 vs. 2025/26)

Strategic Road Development in Jammu and Kashmir

For JKSSB aspirants, the infrastructure landscape of Jammu and Kashmir (UT) is a core focus area. The government has sanctioned 19 new National Highway projects for J&K for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with a total estimated investment of ₹10,637 crore. These projects are strategically aimed at improving troop mobility near the Line of Control (LoC) and alleviating chronic urban congestion in Srinagar and Jammu.   

Significant projects currently underway or recently sanctioned include:

• The Zojila Tunnel: This 13.15-km tunnel is a critical link for all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh. As of February 2026, it has achieved 59% physical progress, with completion targeted for 2027-28.   
• Pir Ki Gali Tunnel: A ₹3,830 crore project on NH-701A designed to provide year-round access across the Pir Panjal range via the Mughal Road.   
• Sadhna Tunnel: A ₹3,330 crore tunnel on NH-701 to eliminate the seasonal closure of the Sadhna Pass, ensuring reliable connectivity to the remote Karnah region.   
• Srinagar and Jammu Ring Roads: These projects aim to divert heavy traffic from city centers. The 58-km Jammu Semi Ring Road is nearing completion, with the majority of stretches expected to be operational within the year.   

The completion of the four-laning of NH-44 has already revolutionized travel within the region, reducing the Srinagar-Jammu transit time from an unpredictable 7-12 hours to a consistent 4.5 hours.   

Table 3: Key Tunnel Projects Enhancing Connectivity in J&K and Ladakh

Railway Systems

Indian Railways (IR) remains the backbone of the nation’s logistics and mass transit, carrying millions of passengers and transporting essential commodities like coal, fertilizers, and food grains. As of early 2026, the railway network is organized into 19 operational zones, including the South Coast Railway (SCoR) headquartered in Visakhapatnam and the Kolkata Metro.   

Table 4: Zonal Structure of Indian Railways (Select Highlights)

Modernization and the Kavach Safety Revolution

A primary focus of the 2025-26 railway agenda is the rapid deployment of “Kavach,” an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Certified to Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4), Kavach utilizes Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio communication and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to monitor train speed and location in real-time. This system automatically intervenes if a loco pilot passes a signal at danger (SPAD) or exceeds prescribed speed limits, significantly reducing the risk of collisions.   

By November 2025, consequential train accidents dropped to a historic low of 11, compared to 135 in 2014-15. The financial investment in safety infrastructure has grown from ₹39,200 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1,17,693 crore in 2025-26, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to passenger security.   

The Expansion of Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat Services

The Vande Bharat Express has redefined high-speed rail travel in India. By December 2025, more than 160 Vande Bharat services were operational across the country, with targets to reach 800 by 2030 and 4,500 by 2047. The introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper version in late 2025 offers a premium alternative for long-distance overnight travel. Simultaneously, the Amrit Bharat Express—a fully non-AC service—has expanded to 30 operational routes, ensuring that modern amenities and high speeds are accessible to all socio-economic segments.   

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project

The USBRL project is the most significant engineering achievement in the history of Indian Railways, connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the national network through all-weather rail links. The project encompasses several world-class engineering marvels:   

• The Chenab Bridge: Standing at 359 meters above the riverbed, it is the highest railway arch bridge in the world, surpassing the Eiffel Tower in height.   
• The Anji Bridge: India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, featuring a deck 331 meters above the river.   
• The T-49 Tunnel: Stretching 12.77 km between Khari and Sumber, it is the longest transportation tunnel in India.   

The project covers eight districts in J&K: Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, and Baramulla. Beyond connectivity, the project has stimulated the local economy by creating over 215 km of approach roads and 320 small bridges. In February 2026, the government also approved the establishment of a full-fledged Railway Division for Jammu and Kashmir to manage these expanding operations.   

Table 5: Key Statistics for Railway Modernization (2025-26)

Maritime Trade and Inland Waterways

India’s maritime sector serves as the lifeline of its international trade, with major ports and inland waterways providing the most cost-effective means for transporting bulk commodities. The sector is governed by the Sagarmala program, which integrates port modernization, port-led industrialization, and coastal community development.   

Port Modernization and Global Rankings

In FY 2024-25, India’s major ports achieved historic milestones, handling approximately 855 million tonnes of cargo—a 4.3% increase from the previous year. Efficiency metrics have seen a dramatic improvement; the average ship turnaround time has been halved from 96 hours in 2014-15 to 49.5 hours in 2024-25. Nine Indian ports were ranked in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index in 2024, highlighting their growing global competitiveness.   

A major strategic development is the establishment of the Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra. With a sanctioned cost of ₹76,220 crore, it is envisioned as one of the world’s largest deep-draft ports, capable of handling ultra-large container vessels. Furthermore, the “One Nation-One Port” initiative has streamlined documentation processes, reducing the number of documents required for container operations from 143 to 96.   

Inland Waterways: Unlocking New Logistics Corridors

Under the National Waterways Act of 2016, 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NW). As of late 2025, 32 of these are operational, spanning a distance of 5,155 km. Cargo movement on inland waterways has grown sevenfold, offering a greener and cheaper alternative to road and rail transport.   

Table 6: Major Operational National Waterways of India

Civil Aviation

India has emerged as the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, driven by rapid infrastructure expansion and the democratizing effect of the RCS-UDAN scheme. The number of operational airports in the country has more than doubled from 74 in 2014 to 164 in 2025.   

Regulatory Reforms: The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024

A landmark legislative development in the aviation sector is the enactment of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024, which replaces the colonial-era Aircraft Act of 1934. This new legislation modernizes the regulatory framework, simplifies license issuance, and supports the “Make in India” initiative for indigenous aircraft manufacturing.   

Table 7: Airport Infrastructure Milestones (2025)

Technology and Sustainability in Aviation

The aviation sector is leading the adoption of digital technologies and green energy. The Digi Yatra initiative—offering contactless biometric travel—is now operational at 24 airports, with over 80 lakh downloads and 4 crore journeys completed. Furthermore, 80 Indian airports have transitioned to 100% green energy usage, contributing significantly to the reduction of the industry’s carbon footprint.   

Current Affairs Spotlight (Early 2026): Key Exam Pointers for JKSSB

For candidates, the “Current Events of National Importance” section of the JKSSB syllabus often focuses on the intersection of budgetary allocations and strategic infrastructure. The following highlights from early 2026 are critical:   

• Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2026-27: Presented on February 11, 2026, the budget includes a total outlay of ₹1,137.67 billion. A historic allocation of over ₹615.28 billion was designated specifically for road construction, highways, and tunnels, marking a massive leap in transport investment.   
• Vistadome Srinagar-Katra Extension: On February 11, 2026, Northern Railway announced the extension of the panoramic Vistadome coach service to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra from Srinagar. This service allows passengers to experience the world’s highest railway bridge (Chenab Bridge) and India’s first cable-stayed bridge (Anji Bridge) via the USBRL.   
• PAIMANA Portal: Launched by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in late 2025, PAIMANA (Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building) is the new centralized digital platform for real-time monitoring of infrastructure projects costing ₹150 crore and above, replacing the old OCMS system.
• Baramulla-Uri and Doubling DPRs: As of February 2026, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been finalized for a new 40-km rail line from Baramulla to Uri and for the doubling of the 118-km Qazigund-Srinagar-Budgam section. Conversely, the Sopore-Kupwara rail extension was officially dropped after being declared technically infeasible.   
• 19 New National Highway Projects: Sanctioned for the 2025-26 period with a budget of ₹10,637 crore, these projects prioritize the Pir Ki Gali Tunnel (sanctioned at ₹3,830 crore) and the Sadhna Tunnel (sanctioned at ₹3,330 crore).   

Socio-Economic Impact and Disaster Resilience

Transport infrastructure is not just about moving goods; it is a critical tool for social well-being and disaster management. In regions prone to natural hazards like Jammu and Kashmir, all-weather connectivity is a matter of life and death.   

Road Safety and the 2025 Statistics

While the road network has expanded, safety remains a significant challenge. However, 2025 saw a positive trend for the first time in three years. According to MoRTH data, road accidents and fatalities on National Highways fell by over 11% in 2025. This decline was led by states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, which implemented stringent safety initiatives.

Table 8: Road Safety Trends on National Highways (2023-2025)

Disaster Management and Transport

The JKSSB syllabus emphasizes the role of transport in disaster relief. All-weather tunnels like Z-Morh and Zojila are strategic assets for the Disaster Management Policy of J&K, as they allow for the uninterrupted movement of emergency supplies and personnel during the harsh winter months when traditional passes are blocked by snow or avalanches.   

Conclusion: Vision 2047 and the Path Ahead

The evolution of India’s transport infrastructure is a testament to the nation’s technological prowess and its commitment to inclusive growth. From the indigenization of railway safety systems with Kavach to the record-breaking engineering of the Chenab Bridge, the sector is moving toward the “Amrit Kaal” vision of a fully developed nation by 2047.   

For JKSSB aspirants, the key to success lies in synthesizing these facts—the 19 zones of the railways, the 146,572 km of national highways, and the 32 operational waterways—with the underlying geographic and economic principles that drive them. As India builds its high-speed corridors and deep-draft ports, the transport landscape continues to be the most dynamic and impactful section of the national geography, reflecting a country that is truly in motion.

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Sahil Digra

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