India By Road

Highway Travel :
After liberalization of the economy, India saw a boom in the small car sector. A positive fallout of this is that highway travel has become the favourite pastime of domestic tourists. India's road network covers 2.9 million kms, including 34,608 km of national highways and 128,622 kms of state highways. Most of the highways like Delhi-Agra and Delhi-Jaipur have recently been upgraded . National highways have also been upgraded to four lanes in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. The once sad looking highways now have motels, resorts, petrol pumps and rest rooms all along the route. It may be mentioned that road transport is the only way to reach some of the remote places and hill stations in India.

Bus Services:
All states of India have transport corporations which operate bus services. The state-run buses connect even the remote locations of the state. In some places, bus travel may not be very comfortable as condition of the buses or roads may be poor. However, air conditioned luxury coaches are available to most tourist destinations.

Self-drive:
Travellers coming to India can explore the exciting option of importing their own vehicles into India which shall be duty free for up to six months. However, tourists shall require an International Certificate for Motor Vehicles (ICMW), an International Driving Permit, third party insurance for the driver and certain other certificates.

Vehicles in India drive on the left. But traffic rules in India are seldom followed by motorists. Vehicle speed on Indian roads is generally slow. Tourists are advised to keep a road map of the destinations they want to cover. Most gas stations offer unleaded petrol. The regular safety precautions are applicable. Alcohol should be avoided while driving and lifts should not be given to strangers.

Rent -A-Car :
Rent-a-car services are also available in India. This includes international agencies such as Avis, Hertz, Euro Car, Budget and Apace with counters at airports as well. Tourists can also approach their hotel for renting cars. Most hotels also have collaboration with reputed travel agents. Tourists can also approach Government of India offices for hiring cars.

Taxis :
The 'yellow-top' metered taxis in India charge fares on a kilometre basis. Such taxi services are available in most cities and large towns of India. They have fare-meters attached according to which rates are charged. An extra charge is levied for travel between 11 pm and 5 am and for luggage. Tourists are advised to negotiate the rates earlier in case the taxi they are hiring do not have a fare-meter attached.

In Delhi, taxis can be hired from 'taxi stands' located in convenient places. You can contact the nearest stand over telephone also. In Kolkata, Mumbai and other cities, however, vacant taxis are easily available on roads. The best option is to hire a taxi from a pre-paid taxi stand, particularly at airports and railway stations. This service is operated by the city police and allows you to pay your fare in advance for which a payment receipt is also provided.

Other Local Transport :
Bus services are available in every Indian city but city buses are usually crowded and very slow.

Auto-rickshaws:
Auto rickshaws in the cities are convenient and cheap. If metered, the system shall be the same as that of taxis. They are cheaper as compared to taxis. In some states like Goa, motorcycles can also be hired.

Golden Quadrilateral:
The Golden Quadrilateral project undertaken by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) shall connect the four metropolises of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Through another related project, smaller towns shall also be connected with expressways. The end product will resemble a quadrilateral. The first phase of the 5,846-km long Golden Quadrilateral project is slated for completion by the beginning of 2004. Out of the 38-lakh km of roadways in India, national highways account for 58,000 kms.

In some four lane expressways like the one connecting Delhi and Jaipur, the traveller is charged a nominal toll tax which allows for the maintenance of the highway. These roads are very good to drive on. But all Indian roads do not allow smooth drives as some of them are pot holed and rough.





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