What basis roadways have taken an edge over railways?

India has one of the largest road networks in the world, aggregating to about 2.3 million km at present. On what basis roadways have taken an edge over railways? Explain.

Roadways an edge over railways:

  1. Construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines.
  2. Roads can traverse comparatively more dissected and undulating topography, they can negotiate higher gradients of slopes and as such can traverse mountains such as the Himalayas.
  3. Road transport is economical in transportation of few persons and relatively smaller amount of goods Over short distances.
  4. It also provides door-to-door service, thus the cost of loading and unloading is much lower.
  5. Road transport is also used as a feeder to other modes of transport such as they provide a link between railway stations, air and sea ports.