ROADS AND ROAD TRANSPORT IN PAKISTAN

(1) national highways (2) provincial highways (3) district roads and (4) corporate roads. In addition, there improvement of existing roads and the construction of new roads in the country. During the first plan period, a sum of RS, 20 crore, in second five year plan an amount of RS< 59.60 crore and in the third plan a sum of RS, 85 crore in the fifth plan RS, 70 crores were allocated for the construction of new roads and reconditioning of old ones. By 2009-10, the total mileage of roads was 258,350 kms of these 179,290 kms were of high type roads and 80320 kms of low type roads. During 2010-11, the mileage further increased to 259453 km with 785979 low and 180866 km of high type. During 2011-12 the length was gone upto 26, 595 km.

are farm to market roads which connect villages rural areas with markets / mandies. At the time partition, Pakistan inherited 50, 000 kms of low type roads. These roads were inadequate to cope with the present day requirements of traffic both in volume and loads. As such priority was given to the

(B) Road transport in Pakistan:

           Road transport is an important mode of conveyance in the country. It mainly includes mechanized means such as buses, trucks, motor cars, motor taxies, motor cycles, auto rickshaws. The significance of the road transport may be judged from the fact that it carries about 92%  of the total passenger traffic and 96% of the total freight traffic in the country.

           The main advantages of road transport , in brief, are as under:

1. it is the cheaper mode of transport compared to rail and air.
2. It is convenient, easily accessible and most suitable transport for marketing of agricultural products to the main markets in cities.
3. Trade and commerce. Trade and commerce enjoy smooth and prompt mobility for raw material and finished goods in the country.
4. It is less capital intensive method of providing transport facilities. Its maintenance cost is also comparatively low.
5. The return of investment on road transport is quick compared to other modes of transport. Which are capital intensive and the return of investment has a long gestation period.
6. Increase in GNP. The establishment of new industries will increase GNP of the country.
7. Road transport facilities the movement of people from the rural areas to the urban centers. The surplus labour in the village thus gets an opportunity of getting employment on daily or monthly basis in the cities.


8. Appearance of industrial estates. The industrial estates automatically appear with the construction of roads.

9. Tourism. Tourism within the country is improved with the development of roads.

10. Storage facilities. Storage facilities are increased which protects wastage of agricultural productions.