Briefly discuss the state of infrastructure at the time of Independence.

Question

Accepted Answer

The state of infrastructure under the colonial rule can be understood with the help of the following points:

1. Roads: The roads constructed before independence were not fit for modern transport. There was always an acute shortage of all-weather roads, and it was very difficult to reach rural areas during the rainy season.

2. Railways: The British rulers introduced railways in India in 1850, and it began its operation in 1853 between Bombay and Thane. It is considered one of the important contributions of the Britishers.

3. Water and air transport: The colonial rulers took measures for the development of water transport. However, the inland waterways proved uneconomical, as in the case of the Coast Canal on the Orissa coast. The colonial government also showed the way to air transport in 1932 by establishing Tata Airlines.

4. Communication: The modern postal system started in India in 1837, and the first telegraph line was opened in 1853. However, the postal services remained throughout inadequate.