07-Lifeline of National Economy
07-Lifeline of National Economy
07-Lifeline of National Economy
Q1. ‘Efficient mean of transport are pre-requisites for fast development’. Support the statement with
suitable example. OR
Explain reasons why a dense and efficient network of transport and communication in pre-requisites
trade of today.
1. Transport system has facilitated the movement of goods and services from the areas of production to
the area of consumption. It also helps in the mobility of labour force from one place to other.
3. It supplying goods, resources, etc. from the surplus region to deficient regions.
4. It transport raw materials from mining regions and forms to the industries, etc.
Q2.’ Modern means of transport and communication severs as lifelines of country’. Justify the statement
giving supportive arguments. OR
Why means of transportation and communication known as the Lifeline of nation and its economy?
India is well lined with the rest of the world despite of its vast size and diversities because of efficient
means of transport and communication. They are rightly called the lifeline of national economy because:-
1. Economic development of the country depends on the well developed and efficient means of transport
and communication.
2. They contribute to the socio-economic progress in many ways by connecting far flung areas of the
country.
3. International and national trade has been made possible because of the transport and communication.
4. They link the areas of production to the areas of consumption, i.e. agriculture goods are transported to
the markets and the industries.
5. They plays a very important role at the time of natural calamities, i.e. for providing relief measures.
6. Various means of communication help in interacting with other in different parts of world.
7. Electronic media, i.e. radio, television, Internet, etc. helps in communicating latest news, thoughts,
ideas, events.
Q3. Why do the roadways have an edge over the railways? Explain. OR Explain advantages of road
transport in India? OR
What are the merits and demerits of the road transportation in India?
Merits Demerits
1. Construction cost and maintenance of roads is 1. The road network in India is inadequate to cater
much lower compared to railways. the growing numbers of vehicles.
2. They are important for transporting goods and 2. The roads are highly congested in cities leading to
passengers for short and medium distance. traffic jams.
3. It also provides door to door services so the cost of 3. The roadside amenities i.e. telephone, health
loading and unloading is much lower. services, etc. are poor on National Highways.
4. They connect the fields with markets, factories and
farms.
5. Roads are easier to build in the mountainous
regions.
The length of roads per 100 sq km of area is known as Road density. The distribution of the roads is not
uniform throughout the country. It varies from 10 km in Jammu and Kashmir to 375 km in Kerala. The
national average is 75km.
Q6. What is the importance of Rail transport? Explain the major problems faced by Indian railways. OR
Describe merits of railways and problem faced by the Indian railways?
2. Thefts and damaging of railway properties has not yet stopped completely.
3. The people stop the trains, pull the chain unnecessarily and this causes heavy damages to the railway.
Q7. What are the merits and demerits of the Railways in India?
Merits Demerits
1. It is the principal mode of transportation for freight 1. Railways require huge initial investments.
and passengers. 2. The maintenance and construction is also very
2. It is useful in conducting business, sightseeing, costly.
pilgrimage along with the transportation of goods 3. Railways are not suitable for mountainous and
over long distance. uneven terrains.
3. It binds the economic life of the country and also 4. Transportation of perishable goods are not
helps in development of Industry and agriculture. suitable due to delays in trans-shipments
4. It is the largest public sector undertaking and gives
employment to more than 15 lakh people.
Q8. How do physiographic and economic factors influence the distribution pattern of Indian railway
network? Explain. OR
“Distribution pattern of Railway network in the country has been largely influenced by physiographic
factors”. Support the statement.
Physiographic factors:-
1. The level land of the Northern plains, with high density of population, rich agriculture and greater
individual activities have favored development of railways.
2. Flood plains of Bihar and Assam, and the rugged terrains of the Himalayas have a very few railways.
3. Sparsely populated sandy deserts of Rajasthan and hilly tracts of Sahyadari are unfavorable for the
development of railways.
Economic factors:-
High level of economic activities means a high density of population. More people would require rail
transport for various reasons. For example:- travelling, movement of heavy goods, raw material, finished
products, etc.
Administrative factors:-
Setting up and running of a rail-network involves huge administration. Therefore, before rail-network is
extended to a region, a well-coordinated administrative network is framed. If it is not possible tp prepare
this network railways cannot be introduced.
Q9. Write a short note on Pipeline transport in India? What are the important networks of pipelines in
India?
1. In the past they were used to transport water to cities and industries. Now they are used to transport
crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas from oil and natural gas fields to refineries, fertilizer
factories and thermal power plants.
2. Solids can also be transported through pipeline when converted into slurry.
3. It has proved beneficial for the far inland location of refineries like Barauni, Mathura, Panipat and gas
based fertilizer plants.
4. Initial cost of laying pipelines is high but subsequent running cost of the pipeline is minimal.
(i) From oil fields in upper Assam to Kanpur via Guwahati, Barauni and Allahabad.
(ii)From Salaya, Gujarat to Jallandar, Punjabvia Viramgam , Mathura, Delhi and Sonepat.
(iii)From Hazira, Gujarat to Jagdishpur, Uttar Pradesh via Vijaipur in Madhya Pradesh also known as HVJ
pipeline.
Q10. Mention the National waterways of India. What are their importances?
1. National Waterway no.-01 : The Ganga river between Allahabad and Haldia(1620 km).
2. National Waterway no.-02 : The Brahmaputra river between Sadiya and Dhubri(891).
1. They are the cheapest means of transportation for heavy and bulky goods over long distance.
Q11. Inspite of many rivers, why India’s inland waterways poorly developed? Mention some of the
navigable waterways.
The inland waterways includes Godavari, Krishna, Barak, Sunderban’s , East-West canal and Damodar
Valley Co-corporation.