- Transport and communication
NCERT Questions
- Choose the right answer of the following from the given options:
(i) In how many zones has the Indian Railways system been divided?
a) 18
b) 12
c) 16
d) 14
Ans. a) 18
(ii) Which one of the following is the longest highway of India?
a) NH-1
b) NH- 6
c) NH- 7
d) NH- 8
Ans. c) NH-7
The longest National Highway in India is NH- 7 which is now called NH 44. It starts from Srinagar in the north and terminates in Kanyakumari in South.
(iii) On which river and between which two places does the National Waterway No – 1 lie?
a) The Brahmaputra, Sadiya – Dhubri
b) The Ganga, Haldia – Prayag Raj
c) West Coast canal Kottapuram to Kollam
Ans. b) The Ganga, Haldia – Prayag Raj
(iv) In which of the following year the first radio programme was broadcast?
a) 1911
b) 1936
c) 1927
d) 1923
Ans. d) 1923
- Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
(i) Which activity does transportation convey? Name three major modes of transportation.
Ans. Transport conveys the basic activity of mobility. Mobility is a basic need of humans which helps in trade and other activities. Transport is instrumental in bringing out about increased mobility. The three major modes of transportation are land, water and air. Land includes roadways, railways, ropeways and pipelines.
(ii) Discuss advantages and disadvantages of pipeline transportation.
Ans. Pipeline transportation is a newer development in the field of transportation.
Advantages:
a) Liquids and gases can be transported easily at low cost. Even solids can be transported in form of slurry.
b) No need of fuel is required. It is an eco-friendly method.
c) Gradient plays the main role in transportation of the material.
d) Pipelines can be laid in the high altitude rugged areas, even under the sea.
e) Material can be transported between distant areas continuously without aid of human agent, carrying it from one place to another.
Disadvantage:
a) Cost of laying the pipeline is very high.
b) People cannot be transported.
c) Leakage in the pipelines can cause serious disasters, especially in case of transportation of materials like petroleum.
d) Pipelines are very probable target of terrorist attacks, therefore safety is major issue.
(iii) What do you mean by communication?
Ans. Communication is transmission of facts, words and information using various means of communication. It is disseminating of ideas, facts, information and knowledge through writing words. Communication has been present since very initial stages of human development. Earlier there were primitive means of communication like beating of drums, sparrows, pigeons etc. Now with communication revolution, modern methods of communication like internet, mobile, telephone is wide spread and has made communication over long distances easier and faster.
(iv) Discuss the contribution of Air India and Indian Airlines in the air transport of India.
Ans. Air transport in India made a beginning in 1911 when air mail operation commenced over at little distance of 10 kilometres between Allahabad and Naini. But its real development took place in post-independence. The air transport in India was managed by two corporations, Air India and Indian Airlines. After nationalisation Air India provides international service for both passengers and cargo. In 2005, it carried 12.2 million passengers and 4.8 lakh metric tonnes of cargo. Indian Airlines looks after air transport at national level. In 2005, domestic movement involved 24.3 million passengers and 20 lakh metric tons of cargo.
The country’s largest state owned domestic career, Indian Airlines dropped the word airlines from its name and is known as Indian w.e.f. December 8, 2005. New brand name Indian now appears on both sides of the fuselage. The logo on the orange tail depicting IA has also been changed. It has been replaced by a new logo which is partly visible blue wheel and is inspired by the Sun Temple at Konark, (Odisha) symbolising timeless motion, convergence and divergence. It also embodies strength as well as trust that have stood the test of time.
After years of little success (2021) the airlines was sold back to Tata group. Presently it is named as VISTARA but soon it will be renamed as VISTARA Air India.
3. Answer the following questions in about 150 Words:
(i) Which are the chief means of transportation in India? Discuss the factors affecting their development.
Ans. The important means of transport in India are land, air and water. Each mode of transportation contributes to the development of economy. Each provides a strong support for setting up industries and links even to the remotest area. All means of transport compete and complement each other.
a) Land transport comprises road, rail and pipeline. Use of railways for carrying heavy and bulky goods along with the large number of passengers over long distances has led to the development of a dense network of railways. Within the country, the network is relatively less dense in the hilly, forested and desert areas. Roads play an important role in linking the interior areas with the markets and urban centres. Their importance in facilitating door to door services over short distances has led to development of a well network of roadways.
b) Water transport is an ideal means of for engaging in international trade through long and intended coastline of India. Inland waterway also links the different regions within the country efficiently. It is the cheapest means for bulky cargo.
c) Air transport has become very important means of rapid and frequent movement of people and light cargo over long distances. Role of private airlines has made the air transport trickle down to wider sections of economy. Budget airlines have changed the aviation scenario in India. Air transport is important in inaccessible areas, during calamities and for rapid connectivity.
(ii) Give a detailed account of the development of railways in India and highlight their importance.
Ans. Indian Railways network is one of the longest in the world. It facilitates the movement of both freight and passengers and contributes to the growth of economy. Indian Railway was introduced in 1853 when a line was constructed from Bombay to Thane covering distance of 34 km.
a) It is the largest government undertaking in the country. Its network length is 63,221 Km in India.
b) The railway system has been divided into 18 zones.
c) Indian Railways has launched extensive program to convert the metre and narrow gauges to broad gauge.
d) Moreover steam engines have been replaced by diesel and electric engines. This step has increased the speed as well as the haulage capacity.
e) The replacement of steam engines run by coal has also improved the environment of the stations.
f) Metro Rail has revolutionised the urban transport system in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and other big cities.
g) Replacement of diesel buses by CNG run vehicles along with introduction of Metro is a welcome step towards controlling the air pollution in urban centres.
h) Areas around towns, raw material producing areas and of plantations and other commercial crops, hill stations and cantonment towns are well connected by railways from the British colonial era. These were mostly developed for the exploitation of resources.
i) After the independence the most significant development has been the development of Konkan Railway along the western coast, providing a direct link between Mumbai and Bangalore.
j) Railway continues to remain the main means of transport for the masses.
k) Railway network is relatively less dense in the hill states, North eastern states, central parts of India and Rajasthan.
l) Some of the very fast running trains are Rajdhani express, Vande Bharat.
(iii) Describe the role of roads in the economic development of India.
Ans. Roads serve as the lifeline of Indian trade.
a) Roads connect the consumers with producers or urban and rural centres. Rural centres are producers of agricultural goods which are consumed by them and are transported to urban centres because they do not have production of agricultural commodities.
b) On the other hand, urban centres produce consumer products and supply them to the rural areas.
c) Most of the International trade of India is carried out through roads.
d) Since roads connect different areas, they help in boosting up of trade by joining the industrial areas with raw material producing areas.
e) The government has categorised various road maps and road types which are headed by different authorities.
f) The largest bulk of transportation and trade is carried out through national highways, which connect major cities, ports and capitals. Following national highways, there are state highways, district roads and village roads which connect smaller administrative units and facilitate economic activity at micro level.
g) Although most of the India’s international trade is carried out through railways, airways and seaways. But construction of border roads has helped in increasing their trade with neighbouring countries, thus providing an impetus to the international trade.
h) Increased connectivity of roads has not only increased trade of major industries but also has helped in establishing small scale and medium scale industries by providing them access to the closest markets.
i) Footloose industries, which depend largely on the roads, are able to prosper because of the development of roads.
j) Roads have helped in connecting the interiors of the country to the main parts and thus expanding the economy.
k) It was due to the development of roads that British were able to penetrate and exploit the interiors of the country.
l) Road supplement the ports, railways and airways.
m) Ports and airways are major means of India’s international trade. But to connect the interiors of the ports and airports, a good working connection of roads is must so that the products which are traded can circulate within the interiors of the country.
Therefore, roads play a pivot role in connecting all other means of transportation, since it is the only means of transportation which provides door to door service.
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