More than 70% of freight in India moves by road. Traders expressed fear Monday that the strike would soon lead to a shortage of fruits, vegetables and other essential commodities.

First came the steamboat; although flatboats and keelboats continued to be important until the 1850's steamboats eventually superseded all other craft in the carrying of passengers and freight.

The vast expansion in international trade owes much to a revolution in the business of moving freight.