Analysis of the Spatial Pattern of Road Transport Network in Jungle Mahal Blocks of Purulia District, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Network analysis describes the distribution of nodes and their relations with the linkages. In this way it plays a vital role in transport geography. It can be proved useful to further transportation planning in the region for achieving greater transportation efficiency.  Public transport helps travellers with different ways, ranging from peak-period access to the CBD to all-day access to local shops and community centres.The present study investigatesthe existing road topological network of Jungle Mahal blocks in Purulia District and to analyse the connectivity and accessibility of Jungle Mahal road network system with district head quarter. The study area has been divided into two network system one is Western and another is eastern, for proper analysis of road network connectivity and accessibility of Jungle Mahal region. The study mainly based on secondary dataset. The present study has been taken a wider range of statistical technique to fulfil the objectives. The connectivity indices like alpha index, beta index, and gamma index and cyclometic number have been analysed and it revealed that the eastern part of Jungle Mahal is well connected with district town then western part of Jungle Mahal. The spread and utility of this network is comparatively low in western blocks then eastern blocks which is defined by Pi and eta index. This is perhaps, most of the western part of this region covered with hilly range. On the other hand detour index has been revealed that the eastern part of Jungle Mahal Blocks have more curve road network than western part. The accessibility of the whole transport network has been analysed by using direct connectivity matrix.In the case of accessibility it can be said that the eastern part of Jungle Mahal is easily accessible with district head quarter than western part of Jungle Mahal.