1 Mark Questions
Question 1. Whatis a new arrival on the transportation map of India?
Answer : Pipeline transport network is a new arrival on the transportation map of India to transport liquids as well as solids in slurry form.
Question 2. What is the major objective to develop Super Highways?
Answer : The major objective of developing Super Highways is to reduce the time and distance between the mega -cities of India.
Question 3. Why was Jawaharlal Nehru port developed?
Answer : To decongest the Mumbai port and serve as a hub port of the region.
Question 4. Why was the Haldia seaport set-up?
Answer : Haldia seaport was set-up as a subsidiary portto relieve growing pressure on Kolkata port.
Question 5. What are known as lifelines of the national economy?
Answer : Means of transport and communication.
Question 6. What are the two major means of land transport?
Answer : (i) Roadways, (ii) Railways.
Question 7. Which term is used to describe trade between two or more countries?
Answer : International trade.
Question 8. What does favourable balance of trade refer to?
Answer : When the value of exports exceeds the value of imports, we call it Favourable Balance of Trade.
3 Marks Questions
Question 9. Elaborate any three advantages of railways in India.
Answer : Advantages of railways in India are as follows:
(i) It is both convenient and safer to travel long distances by railways.
(ii) They give employment to a large number of people.
(iii) Railways also make it possible to conduct multifarious activities like business, sightseeing, pilgrimage along with transportation of goods over longer distances.
Question 10. What is pipeline transportation? Write two merits and demerits of the same.
Answer : Pipeline transport network is the new mode of transport these days. In the past, pipelines were used to transport water to cities and industries. Now, these are used for transporting crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas from oil and natural gas fields to refineries, fertilizer factories and big thermal power plants. Solids can also be transported through a pipeline when converted into slurry.
Merits:
(i) Useful in transporting liquids and solid slurry from far away locations.
(ii) Subsequent running costs after laying down the network are minimal.
(iii) It rules out trans-shipment losses or delays.
Demerits:
(i) Initial cost of laying pipelines is high.
(ii) Pipelines can burst or can have leakage leading to wastage of valuable resource like water, mineral oil, etc.
Question 11. How do modern means of transport serve as lifelines of our nation? Explain.
OR
“Efficient means of transport are prerequisites for the fast development.” Express your views in favour of this statement.
OR
Why are efficient means of transport prerequisites for the fast development of the country? Explain.
Answer : Transport and communication are the basic arteries of a nation’s economy because:
(i) Economic development of a region or a country very largely depends upon the dense network of transport and communication.
(ii) They link areas of production with consumption, agriculture with industry and village with towns and cities.
(iii) They help the industry by providing raw materials and distribution of finished goods.
(iv) They help in the development of all the three sectors: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary.
(v) They help in the balanced regional development. (Any three)
Question 12. What are Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways? Mention any two objectives of this project. The North-South and EastWest corridors join which terminal cities.
Answer : (i) The Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways is a major road development project linking Delhi–Kolkata–Chennai –Mumbai and Delhi by six lane super highways.
(ii) The two major objectives of these Super Highways projects are to
(a) reduce the time and
(b) distance between the mega cities of India.
(iii) The North-South Corridors linking Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) and Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) and EastWest Corridor connecting Silchar (Assam) and Porbander (Gujarat).
Question 13. Describe three major problems faced by the road transport in India.
Answer : Road transportation in India faces the following problems:
(i) Keeping in view the volume of traffic and passengers, the road network is inadequate.
(ii) About half of the roads are unmetalled and this limits their usage during the rainy season.
(iii) The National Highways are inadequate.
(iv) The roadways are highly congested in cities and most of the bridges and culverts are old and narrow.
Question 14. Explain the importance of railways as the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India.
Answer : The importance of railways as the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India is:
(i) Railways make it possible to conduct multifarious activities like business, sight seeing, pilgrimage along with transportation of goods.
(ii) It is suitable for long distance travel.
(iii) Plays an important role in national integration.
(iv) Railways bind the economic life of the country.
(v) It accelerates the development of the industry and agriculture.
(vi) Today the railways have become more important than all other means o f transport put together. (Any three)
Question 15. Describe the rural roads in India.
Answer : (i) Rural roads link rural areas and villages with towns.
(ii) These roads received special impetus under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna.
(iii) Special provisions are made so that every village in the country is linked to a major town in the country by an all-season motorable road.
Question 16. Describe any three features of waterways in India.
Answer : Features of waterways in India are:
(i) India has been one of the seafaring countries.
(ii) Sea men sailed far and near; carrying and spreading Indian commerce and culture.
(iii) Waterways are the cheapest means of transport.
(iv) They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods over long distance.
(v) It is fuel-efficient and environment friendly mode of transport.
(vi) 9.5% of the country’s trade volume is moved by sea.
Question 17. Describe any three factors that accord prominence to airways as a mode of transportation.
Answer : Following are the factors that accord airways prominence as a mode o f transportation:
(i) They are the fastest mode oftransportation.
(ii) They are the best means of transport for remote, inaccessible and hostile areas.
(iii) Airways play a vital role in the event of natural and human-made calamities like floods, famines, earthquake, epidemics and war by virtue of their swiftness.
Question 18. Describe the significance of tourism as a trade in India.
Answer : Significance of tourism as a trade in India:
(i) Tourism in India has grown substantially over the last three decades.
(ii) Foreign tourist’s arrival has witnessed an increase, thus contributing to foreign exchange.
(iii) More than 15 million people are directly engaged in the tourism industry.
(iv) It provides support to local handicrafts and cultural pursuits.
(v) T o u r i sm also promotes national integration.
(vi) It helps in development of international understanding about our culture and heritage.
(vii) Foreign tourists visit India for heritage tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, medical and business tourism.
Question 19. Explain the ways in which tourism promotes the related industries and services of the destination-country.
Answer : The industries cheek in jowl with tourism is handicraftindustry, sculpture, sea-shell, regional handloom among others. Indian handicraft and handloom in particular. hold special attraction for the Western tourists. Hospitality in services sector is benefitted immensely by tourism.
Also, the transportation services reap the benefits of tourism. Over 2.6 million foreign tourists visit India every year. For example, tourism contributed 14,000 crore rupees to the India exchequer in year 2000 and generated employment for 15 million people directly engaged in the tourism industry.
Question 20. Why is a dense and efficient network o f transport and communication a prerequisite for the development of local, national and global trade of today? Give your opinion.
Answer : Dense and efficient network of transport and communication.
(i) We use different material and services in our daily ‘life. Some of these are available in our immediate surroundings while other requirements are met by bringing things from other places. Movement of these goods and services can be over three domains of earth.
(ii) Today, the world has converted into a large village with the help of efficient and fast moving transport.
(iii) Transport has been able to achieve this with the help of equally developed communication system.
(iv) Therefore transport, communication and trade are complementary to each other.
(v) Today India is well linked with the rest of the world despite its vast size, diversity, linguistic and cultural plurality. (Any three)
Question 21. Why is air travel preferred in the northeastern states of India? Explain.
Answer : Big rivers: Presence of big rivers like Brahmaputra make it difficult to construct roads and railways. Airways are suitable when rivers get flooded.
Dissected relief: Uneven surface—not suitable for the construction of roadways and railways which can be a costly affair. Can be easily travelled by airways.
Dense forests: Dense forests hamper the construction of roadways and railways.
International Frontiers: International borders of ‘ Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, etc. can be easily travelled by airways without much hassles.
Question 22. Why are metalled roads better than unmetalled roads? What is the role of border roads and national highways in transportation?
Answer : Metalled roads are made of either cement, concrete or even bitumen of coal. Therefore, these are durable over unmetalled road. Unmetalled roads go out of use in rainy season.
Border roads plays an important role in connecting strategically important difficult areas and helps in the economic development o f the area. National Highways are the primary road system which links important parts of the country.
Question 23. Explain any four qualitative improvements made in Indian Railways.
Answer : (i) Conversion of meter gauge to broad gauge.
(ii) Steam engines have been replaced by diesel and electric engines. This has increased the speed and haulage capacity.
(iii) The replacement of steam engine run by coal has improved the environment of stations and its surroundings.
(iv) Railways routes have been extended to areas were there was no railway lines earlier.
Question 24. Explain any three major problems faced by Indian Railways.
Answer : In India rail transport suffers from certain problems. These are as follows:
(i) Poor service offered by railways.
(ii) Thefts and damaging of railway property are rampant.
(iii) The large population puts enormous strain on existing infrastructure.
Question 25. Explain any four advantages of pipeline transportation.
Answer : The four advantages of pipeline transportation are:
(i) Both solid (when converted into slurry) liquid and gases can be transported through pipelines.
(ii) Initial cost of laying pipelines is high but subsequent running costs are minimal.
(iii) Trans-shipment of losses and delays are minimum.
(iv) It is economical to transport petroleum, natural gas, fertilizers to interior places.
Question 26. What is the difference between personal communication and mass communication? State any two points of importance of mass communication.
Answer : Personal communication means a communication between two persons either through oral, letter or through telephone etc, while mass communication includes the use of radio, television, press, films etc, for wider public audience. The two points of importance of mass communication are—
(i) provides entertainment and
(ii) creates awareness among people about various national programmes and policies.
Question 27. Whatismeant by internationaltrade?State any one feature of India’s international trade.
Answer : (i) Trade between two countries is called international trade.
(ii) One of the features of international trade of India is information technology.
(iii) Trade
(iv) International Trade
(v) Favourable Balance of Trade
(vii) Unfavourable Balance of Trade
Question 28. Define the following terms:
(i) Trade
(ii) International Trade
(iii) Favourable Balance of Trade
(iv) Unfavourable Balance of Trade
Answer : (i) The exchange of goods among people, states and countries is referred to as trade.
(ii) Trade between two countries is called international trade.
(iii) When the value of export exceeds the value of imports, it is called a favourable balance of trade. (
iv) When the value of imports exceeds the value of exports, it is termed as unfavourable balance of Trade.
Question 29. Explain four advantages of road transport in India.
Answer : Roads can negotiate higher gradients of slopes and as such can traverse mountains such as the Himalayas.
(i) R o a d transport i s economical i n transportation of few persons and smaller amount of goods over short distances.
(ii) It also provides door-to-door service, reducing the cost of loading and unloading is much lower.
(iii) Road transport also provides feeder service to other modes of transport such as they provide a link between railway stations, airports and sea ports.
Question 30. Write any four characteristics of Kandla sea port.
Answer : The following are the characteristics of the Kandla sea port:
(a) It is a tidal port. (
(b) It was the first port developed soon after the Independence of India in Kuchchh.
(c) It was developed to ease the volume of trade from Mumbai port after the loss of Karachi port to Pakistan after the Partition in 1947.
(d) It caters to the convenient handling of imports and exports of granary and industrial belt spreading from states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Question 31. Explain any four merits of pipeline transport in India.
Answer : The following are the merits of pipeline transport in India:
(a) Solids (when converted into slurry), liquids and gases can be transported through pipelines.
(b) Initial cost of laying pipelines is high but subsequent running costs are minimal.
(c) Trans-shipment of losses and delays are ruled out.
(d) It is economical to transport petroleum, natural gas, fertilizers to interior places of the country.
Question 32. What is the meaning of road density? Describe any three major problems faced by road transportation in India.
Answer : The length of road per 100 sq. km of area is known as density of roads. Road transportation in India faces the following problems:
(i) Keeping in view the volume of traffic and passengers, the road network is inadequate.
(ii) About half of the roads are unmetalled and this limits their usage during the rainy season.
(iii) The National Highways are inadequate.
(iv) The roadways are highly congested in cities and most of the bridges and culverts are old and narrow.
Question 33. What is the importance o f railway transport? Describe any three major problems faced by Indian Railways.
Answer : Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India. Indian Railways have been a great integrating force for more than 150 years. It conducts multifarious activities like business, sightseeing, pilgrimage along with transportation of goods over longer distances. The following are the major problems faced by the Indian Railways:
(i) Poor service offered by railways.
(ii) Thefts and damages of railways property.
(iii) Pressure of population puts enormous pressure on existing infrastructure.
Pandey A.K.. Chapterwise 10 Years Solved Papers Social Science Class 10 CBSE (Page 211). . Kindle Edition.
Question 34. Describe any four features of Indian tourism as a trade.
Answer : Following are the features of Indian tourism as a trade:
(i) Tourism in India has grown substantially over the last three decades with the bumper increase in foreign tourists.
(ii) It provides employment and financial support to local handicrafts and cultural pursuits.
(iii) India has become a popular destination for heritage, adventure, medical and business tourism.
(iv) Indian tourism has achieved the status of maximum foreign exchange earner.
5 Marks Questions
Question 35. Explain with examples the conditions responsible for uneven distribution pattern of the railway network in India.
Answer : The distribution pattern of the Railway network:
(i) The northern plains with their vast level land, high population density and rich agricultural resources provided the most favourable condition for their growth.
(ii) In the hilly terrains of the peninsular region, railway tracks are laid through low hills, gaps or tunnels.
(iii) The Himalayan mountainous regions too are unfavourable for the construction o f railway lines due to high relief, sparse population and lack of economic opportunities.
(iv) It was difficult to lay railway lines on the sandy plain of western Rajasthan, swamps of Gujarat, forested tracks of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand.
(v) The contiguous stretch of Sahyadri could be crossed only through gaps or passes (Ghats).
(vi) The development of the Konkan railway along the west coast has facilitated the movement of passengers and goods. (Any five)
Question 36. Highlight any five features of HaziraVijaipur–Jagdishpur gas pipeline.
Answer : (i) This pipeline is about 1700 km. long.
(ii) Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur cross country gas pipeline links Mumbai High and Bassien with the fertilizer, power and industrial complexes in western and northern India.
(iii) This artery has provided an impetus to India’s gas production.
(iv) The power and fertilizer industries are the key users of natural gas.
(v) Use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles to replace liquid fuels is gaining wide popularity in the country.
Question 37. Why is air travel more popular in the North Eastern states of India? Explain.
Answer : Air Transport is considered as an important means of transport in the North-Eastern part of our country because:
(i) Big rivers: Presence of big rivers like Brahmaputra make it difficult to construct roads and railways. Airways are suitable when rivers get flooded.
(ii) Dissected relief: Uneven surface-not suitable for the construction of roadways and railways which can be a costly affair. Can be easily travelled by airways.
(iii) Dense forests: Dense forests hamper the construction of roadways and railways. (iv) International Frontiers: International borders of Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, etc. can be easily travelled by airways without much hassles.
Question 38. What is trade? Explain the importance of international trade.
Answer : Trade between two countries is called International Trade. Importance:
(i) Internationaltrade of a country is an index to its economic prosperity.
(ii) It is considered the economic barometer for a country.
(iii) As the resources are space bound, no country can survive without international trade.
(iv) Countries have trade relations with the major trading blocks.
(v) Exchange of commodities and goods have been superseded by the exchange of information and knowledge. (Any four)
Question 39. Define the term ‘Tourism’. Why is tourism known as a trade? Explain.
Answer : (i) Tourism:“The cultural, recreational and commercial visit to internal places is known as Tourism.”
(ii) (a) Foreign tourists arrival in the country contributing ` 21,828 crore of foreign exchange.
(b) More than 15 million people are directly engaged in the tourism industry.
(c) Tour ism provides support to local handicrafts.
(d) Foreign tourists visit India for medical tourism and business tourism.
(e) Helps in the growth of national income and integrity. (Any four)
Question 40. Compare and contrast the merits and demerits of roadways with those of railways.
Answer : Roadways v/s Railways:
(i) Construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines and construction time is also comparatively less.
(ii) Roads can traverse comparatively more dissected and undulating topography which is a limitation in case of railways.
(iii) Roads can negotiate higher gradients o f slopes and as such can traverse mountains like the Himalayas, whereas the mountainous regions are unfavourable for the construction of railway lines due to high relief, sparse population and lack of economic opportunities Likewise, it is difficult to lay railway lines on the sandy plains in the deserts, swampy or forested tracks.
(iv) Road transport is economical in transportation of few persons and relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances, whereas railways are suitable for transportation of large number of people and goods in bulk, especially over long distances.
(v) Roadways provide door-to-door service, thus the cost of loading and unloading is much lower but railways have not reached everywhere, still there are places which are yet to be connected with the railways.
(vi) Road transport is also used as a feeder to other modes of transport such as they provide a link between railway stations, air and seaports. On the other hand, railways work as a lifeline for the economic growth of a country as they carry raw materials and produced goods from one part of the nation to another on a large scale. (Any five)
Question 41. Classify communication services into two categories. Explain main features of each.
Answer : Classification of communication services in two categories:
(i) Personal communication.
(ii) Mass Communication.
Features:
(i) Personal communication:
(a) Communication between two or more persons at personal level.
(b) The Indian postal network handles parcels as well as personal written communication.
(c) Cards, letters by posts and email.
(d) Telephone services like STD, ISD provide easy and comfortable network to a large number of people.
(ii) Mass communication:
(a) It is the communication through which one can communicate with several people at the same time.
(b) It provides the entertainment and creates awareness among people about various National programmes and policies.
(c) It includes print media like newspapers, magazines, book etc. and electronic media like Radio, Television etc.
Question 42. Analyse the physiographic and economic factors that have influenced the distribution pattern of the railway network in our country.
Answer : Rail transport is the most convenient mode of transportation. Though the railway network is not evenly distributed across the country. The distribution pattern of the railway network in the country has been largely influenced by physiographic, economic and administrative factors.
Physiographic Factors:
(i) The northern plains with their vast level land, high population density and rich agricultural resources provide the most favourable condition for their growth of railway networks.
(ii) The uneven terrain like hills, mountains, rivers with wide beds have posed severe obstacle in the infrastructural development of railways like laying tracks, construction of bridges and so on.
(iii) In the hilly terrain of the peninsular region, railway tracks are laid through low hills, gaps or tunnels.
(iv) The Himalayan mountainous regions too are unfavourable for the construction o f railway lines due to high relief, sparse population and lack of economic opportunities.
(v) It is equally difficult on the sandy plain of western Rajasthan, swamps of Gujarat, forested tracks of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand.
Economic Factors:
(i) There are several economic factors that affect the distribution of railways e.g. state funding plays a vital role in the development of railways across the nations.
(ii) The state with flexible laws supports the growth of railways.
(iii) Along with this the places that are highly industrialised attract the development of railways. Since the growth of both is complimentary to each other e.g. recently railways network is enhancing along the industrial corridors.
Question 43. ‘Road transport and Railtransportin India are not competitive but complementary to each other.” Justify the statement.
Answer : Road Transport and Rail Transport: The statement ‘Road Transport’ and ‘Rail Transport’ in India are not competitive but complementary to each other are justified in the following ways:
(i) Road transport is more suitable for short distances whereas rail transport is more suitable for long distances.
(ii) R o a d transport i s economical i n transportation o f few persons and relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances, whereas rail transport is more suitable for large number of people and heavy goods.
(iii) It is beneficial for perishable goods to be carried by roads in short period of time, whereas nonperishable and bulky goods are transported by railways for a longer distances.
(iv) Road transport increases the efficiency of railways.
(v) Road transport links the rural areas with railway stations. (vi) The deficiency of railways is compensated by road transport. (Any five)
Question 44. Elaborate any two important networks of pipeline transportation in India along with their branches.
Answer : (i) Commodities transported by pipelines: Crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas and even solids in the form of slurry.
(ii) Network:
(a) From upper Assam to Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), via Guwahati, Barauni and Allahabad. It has branches from Barauni to Haldia via Rajbandh, Rajbandh to Maurigram and Guwahati to Siliguri.
(b) From Salaya in Gujarat to Jalandhar in Punjab via Viramgam, Mathura, Delhi and Sonipat. It has branches to connect Koyali (near Vadodara, Gujarat) Chakshu and other places.
(c) From Hazira in Gujarat to Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh, Gas pipeline via Vijaipur in Madhya Pradesh. It has branches to Kota in Rajasthan, Shahjahanpur, Babrala and other places in Uttar Pradesh.
Question 45. ‘Advancement of international trade of a country is an index to its prosperity.” Support the statement with suitable examples.
OR
‘N o country can survive without international trade in the present global world.” Explain the statement.
Answer : (i) No country in the world is self-sufficient in all its needs. Goods produced by one country are required by the other country and vice-versa. Hence, differences in resources, needs and development among nations creates conditions for international trade between them.
(ii) It helps in exchange of surplus goods with those of deficit countries through foreign trade.
(iii) Foreign trade has helped India to improve its productivity of manufactured goods.
(iv) International trade contributed to India’s economic growth, raising income levels of people thus, increasing the foreign exchange reserves.
(v) International trade helps India to import advanced technology of other countries to improve its own production.
(vi) Thus, prosperity of a country depends on the advancement of the international trade and hence, it is called the ’economic barometer’ of a nation. (Any five)
Question 46. “Indian Railways binds the economic life of the country as well as accelerates the development of industry and agriculture.” Justify the statement.
Answer : Railways are the most important mode of transport in India due to the following reasons:
(i) Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India, as they link different parts of the country.
(ii) They carry huge loads and bulky goods to long distances.
(iii) Railways make it possible to conduct multifarious activities like business, sightseeing, pilgrimage along with goods transportation over longer distances.
(iv) Railways have been a great integrating force for the nation, for more than 150 years now.
(v) They have been helpful in binding the economic life of the country and cultural fusion.
(vi) They have accelerated the development of the industry and agriculture. (Any five)
Question 47. Describe any five major problems faced by road transport in India.
Answer : Five problems faced by road transport in India are given below:
(i) Volume of traffic and passengers is very large.
(ii) Road network is inadequate.
(iii) Half the roads are unmetalled, which limits their usage in rainy seasons.
(iv) National highways too are inadequate.
(v) Roadways are highly congested in cities and most bridges and culverts are old and narrow.
Question 48. Transport and trade are complementary to each other.” Justify in three points.
Answer : Transport and communication for local, national and global trade:
(i) Today, the world has been converted into a large village with the help of efficient and fast moving transport.
(ii) Transport has been able to achieve this with the help of equally developed communication system.
(iii) Therefore, transport, communication and trade are complementary to each other.
(iv) Today, India is well-linked with the rest of the world despite its vast size, diversity and linguistic and socio-cultural plurality.
(v) R a i l w a y s, airways, waterways, newspapers, radio, television, cinema and internet have been contributing to its socioeconomic progress in many ways.
(vi) The trades from local to international levels have added to the vitality of its economy. It has enriched our life and added substantially to growing amenities and facilities for the comforts of life. (Any three)
Question 49. What is mass communication? What are the different means o f mass communication? What is the significance of mass communication in a country like India?
Answer : Mass communication: Means (like electronic media) which covers large number of people at the same time. Different means of communication are radio, television, films and internet, newspapers and magazines. Significance of mass communication are:
(i) Covers more than 95% of India’s total population.
(ii) Source of education and entertainment.
(iii) Most instant means of mass information.
(iv) Brings all classes of people together. (Any three)
Question 50. Explain with examples the changing nature of international trade of India in the last fifteen years.
OR
Write a note on the changing nature of International trade in India in the last fifteen years.
Answer : There has been a change in the nature of our international trade:
(i) Since 2004-2005, the share of agriculture and allied products, ores and minerals, chemical engineering goods has been increasing.
(ii) Exchange of commodities and goods have been superseded by the exchange of information and knowledge.
(iii) India has emerged as a software giant at international level.
(iv) India is earning large foreign exchange through the export o f information technology.
(v) Imports: Commodities imports include petroleum and petroleum products 41.87% and Coal, Coke 14.17%.
Question 51. Classify roads into six classes according to their capacity. What is the role of National Highway Authority of India?
Answer : Roads are classified as given below:
(i) Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways reduced the time and distance between the mega cities of India.
(ii) National Highways connect the state capitals, big cities and important ports.
(iii) State Highways join the state capitals with district headquarters.
(iv) District Roads connect the district centres with the major roads.
(v) Other Rural Roads which link rural areas and villages with towns.
(vi) Border Roads have increased accessibility in areas of difficult terrain.
(vii) Projects related to Super Highways are being implemented by the NHAI. (Any five)
Question 52. What is the importance of transport? Mention the various means of transport available in India.
Answer : Means of transport:
(i) Roadways
(ii) Railways
(iii) Pipelines
(iv) Waterways
(v) Airways. (Any three)
Importance of Transport:
(i) Connects the people
(ii) Sense of belonging in the people living at remote places.
(iii) Helpful for business activities.
(iv) Helpful in the period of crisis. (Any three)
Question 53. What is the significance of ‘Border Roads’? explain.
Answer : (i) Border Road Organization was established in 1960.
(ii) This organization develops the roads of strategic importance in the North and the East border areas.
(iii) These roads have improved accessibility in areas of difficult terrain.
(iv) These roads have enabled the economy to develop in the border areas.
Question 54. Describe any two merits of railways and any two problems being faced by the railways.
Answer : (i) The railways are the main artery of inland transport in India:
(a) Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers.
(b) Railways are useful in conducting business, sightseeing, pilgrimage along with transportation of goods over long distances.
(c) Railways in India bind the economic life of the country as well as accelerate the development of the industry and agriculture. (Any two)
(ii) The following problems are being faced by the railways:
(a) Poor service offered by railways.
(b) Thefts and damaging railway property.
(c) Pressure of population puts enormous strain on existing infrastructure. (Any two)
Question 55. Pipeline transport network is a new arrival on the transportation map of India.” Explain.
Answer : (i) Previously, these were used to transport water to cities and industries.
(ii) Presently these are used to transport crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas.
(iii) Initial cost of laying pipelines is high but running costs are minimal.
(iv) It rules out delay and losses. Some networks are from oilfield in upper Assam to Kanpur.
Question 56. Name the longest National Waterway of India. Write any three points of importance of waterways.
Answer : The longest National Waterway of India is the Ganga river between Allahabad and Haldia. Importance of waterways:
(i) It is most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods.
(ii) It is a fuel efficient and environment friendly.
(iii) More than 95% of the country’ s trade volume is moved by the sea.
(iv) It is the cheapest means of transport.
(v) They are the natural routes which do not involve cost of construction. (Any four)
Question 57. Explain any five characteristics of Kandla Seaport.
Answer : Characteristics of Kandla seaport:
(i) First port developed soon after India got independence.
(ii) Reduced the volume of traffic on Mumbai port.
(iii) Tidal port.
(iv) Caters to exports and imports of highly productive granary and industrialised states.
(v) Free trade zone.
Question 58. Explain any five merits of Air transport.
Answer : Merits of Air Transport are:
(i) It is the most comfortable mode o f transport.
(ii) It is the fastest mode.
(iii) It is the prestigious mode of transport.
(iv) It can cover very difficult terrains like high mountain and dreary deserts.
(v) Dense forests and oceans are not problems for air transport. It covers them with great ease.