Intermodal Transportation System – Indian Perspective

Introduction

A rapid growth in population, urbanization and commercial and industrial activities has caused an increase in consumption of and demand for transportation in India. A multi-modal transportation system (MMTS) has the potential to lighten the burden affecting the system in India by yielding the lowest cost of transportation and the lowest environmental impact. An MMTS is a system wherein different modes of transport are connected to allow seamless and economical movement of freight and passengers.

Obstacles

An MMTS requires a well-developed transportation system in place. Developing such infrastructure in a country requires continuous and significant investments in the transportation infrastructure of the country. The World Bank report, Financing India's Urban Infrastructure Needs: Constraints to Commercial Financing and Prospects for Policy Action, estimated that to meet the growing transportation needs of the country, India requires an investment