Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India. Railways also make it possible to conduct many activities like business, sightseeing, and pilgrimage along with transportation of goods over longer distances. Apart from an important means of transport the Indian Railways have been a great integrating force for more than $150$ years. The Indian Railway have a network of more than $7133$ stations spread over a route length of $64,460$ km with a fleet of $9213$ locomotives, $53,220$ passenger service vehicles, $6,493$ other coach vehicles and $2,29,381$ wagons as on March $2011$. The Northern plains with their vast level land, high population density and rich agricultural resources provided the most favourable condition for the growth of railways. The development of Konkan railway along the west coast has facilitated the movement of passengers and goods in this most important economic region of India. Thus, it has been rightly said that Railways in India bind the economic life of the country as well as accelerate the development of industry and agriculture.

Question 3

Explain the importance of railways as the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India.

Accepted Answer

The importance of railways as the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India are as follows: 1) Railways make it possible to conduct multifarious activities like business, sight seeing, pilgrimage along with transportation of goods. 2) It is suitable for long distance travel. 3) Plays an important role in national integration.4) Railways bind the economic life of the country 5) It accelerates the development of the industry and agriculture. 6) Today the railways have become more important than all other means of transport put together.

Question 4

Where  and  why  is  rail  transport  the  most  convenient means of transportation?

Accepted Answer

Rail transport is the most convenient means of transportation in the Northern plain, because these plains are densely populated, rich in agriculture resources and construction of railways is easy due to gentle slope of the land.

Question 5

Explain any five major problems faced by road transport in India.

Accepted Answer

Most of the Indian roads are unsurfaced and are not suitable for use of vehicular traffic.Roads are not properly maintained. Poor road surfaces cause heavy loss in wear and tear of vehicles.There are multiple check-posts, toll-tax and octroi duties collection points on the roads which bring down the speed of the traffic, waste time and cause irritation to the commuters. Many roads have inadequate capacity, weak pavement, unbridged level crossings and lack of wayside amenities and safety measures. The roadways are highly congested in cities and most of the bridges and culverts are old and narrow.

Question 6

"Roadways still have an edge over railways in India." Support the statement with arguments.

Accepted Answer

Construction costs is much lower than that of railway.It provides door to door services.Road provides link between railway station, air and sea port.Road can transverse comparatively more dissected and undulating topography.Road can negotiate higher gradient of slopes  as such can traverse mountain such as the Himalayas.

Question 7

Mention any three problems being faced by the Indian Railways.

Accepted Answer

Problems faced by Indian railways are:(i) It lack repair and maintenance of tracks and bridges. (ii) India as the railways operation is on their gauges and shift from gauge to another is a problem. (iii) Rail traffic has increased and the old tracks are not able to carry the increased load and accidents are frequent.

Question 8

What  is  the  significance  of border  roads?

Accepted Answer

Border roads are strategically important as they improve accessibility to areas like the northern and northeastern border areas which have difficult terrain.These roads also help in the economic development of the remote locations along the border areas

Question 9

Why is air travel preferred in the north eastern states?

Accepted Answer

The air travel, today, is the fastest, most comfortable and prestigious mode of transport. It can cover very difficult terrains like high mountains, dreary deserts, dense forests and also long oceanic stretches with great ease. north-eastern part of the country, marked with the presence of big rivers, dissected relief, dense forests and frequent floods and international frontiers, is accessible only through air travel as building roads and laying railway tracks in these areas is very difficult.

Question 10

Mention any four merits and any two demerits of air transport.

Accepted Answer

Merits of air transport:1. It is the fastest and comfortable mode of transport.2. It connects the far-flung and remote areas of the country.3. The speed and ease with which aeroplanes can cross mountain barriers, sandy desserts, large expanses of water or forests make the air transport indispensable. 4. Air transport is of particular importance during natural calamities. It is used to airlift people from the affected areas and to air-drop food, medicines and other necessary things to calamity affected people.Demerits of air transport:1. Air transport is costly.2. The cost of aeroplanes construction and maintenance of aerodroms and control mechanism needs a capital expenditure.

National Waterways of India

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Water Transport (Intermediate)

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Waterways

The distribution pattern of the Railway network in the country is influenced by physiographic, economic, and administrative factors. Explain.

Explain the importance of Railways as a means of transport.