Importance, means, costs, policies, and patterns of transport in India and world.
Role of transport in economic development and integration.
Road, rail, water, air, and pipeline transport systems.
Factors affecting transport costs and concept of economic distance.
Fixed and variable costs in different transport modes.
Indian Railways network, reforms, and freight/passenger services.
National highways, rural roads, and road development programmes.
Advantages and network of pipelines in India.
Shipping, ports development, and maritime trade.
Civil aviation, airports, and UDAN scheme.
Economics of transport operations and pricing.
National Transport Policy, Gati Shakti, and infrastructure focus.
Global shipping routes and major oceanic trade patterns.
Key international maritime routes and their significance.
National waterways development and their potential.
Key inland water transport regions in India and world.
Physical, economic, and technological factors influencing rail development.
Global rail networks and density patterns.
Technological, economic, and regulatory factors for aviation.
Major crude oil and product pipelines in India.
Natural gas transportation network and city gas distribution.
How transport costs influence regional specialization.
Containerization, logistics, and impact on global trade.
Economies of scale in transport operations.
Gravity model of trade and transport cost impact.
Agglomeration effects due to improved connectivity.
Pollution, congestion, accidents, and environmental impact.