CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science · Geography: Lifelines of National EconomyExplain the significance of the roadways in India, highlighting their superiority over railways, and discuss the classification of roads based on their capacity and maintenance.

Significance of Roadways in India\nRoad transport plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of India. It forms the backbone of the country's transport network, providing connectivity to remote villages, towns, and major industrial hubs.

Superiority over Railways\nRoadways hold several distinct advantages over railways:

• Construction Cost: The construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines, making them economical to build.
• Terrain Adaptability: Roads can traverse comparatively dissected and undulating topography such as hills and mountains.
• Door-to-Door Service: Road transport provides door-to-door service, thereby reducing the cost of loading and unloading.
• Feeder Service: Roadways act as a feeder to other modes of transport such as railways, airways, and waterways, connecting interior areas to major terminals.

Classification of Roads\nIndia's road network is classified into the following six categories based on capacity and maintenance:

1. Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways: Major six-lane highways linking mega cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, implemented by NHAI.
2. National Highways (NH): Extreme primary road systems maintained by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), connecting extreme parts of the country.
3. State Highways (SH): Roads linking a state capital with different district headquarters, maintained by the State Public Works Department (PWD).
4. District Roads: Roads connecting the district headquarters to other places of the district, maintained by the Zila Parishad.
5. Rural Roads: Commonly known as Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana roads, linking rural areas and villages to towns.
6. Border Roads: Strategically important roads constructed and maintained by the Border Road Organisation (BRO) along India's international borders.