Question 1

Question 2Compare and contrast Railways with Airways.

Accepted Answer

Similarities:Both, Railways and Airways are used as means of transport for freight and passengers.Both play an important role in the economic development of the country.Differences:S. No.RailwaysAirways1.It is the cheapest means of transport.It is the expensive means of transport.2.Can be used for transportation of bulky products like coal and iron.Cannot be used for transportation of bulky products.3.Train tracks cannot be laid in every region of the country like in the hilly areas or remote forested areas.It is free from geographical contrasts like mountains, rivers or oceans.4.It has wide connectivity.It connects only major cities.5.It is slower mode of transport than airways.It is fastest mode of transport.

Question 2

Question 5What is the importance of Border Roads?

Accepted Answer

Border Roads are important due to the following reasons:Border Roads strengthen the defence preparedness of our country enabling troops to be deployed quickly in border areas in case of external aggression.Border Roads have helped in the economic development of Northern and Northeastern border areas.Border Roads improve the lives of people living in border areas by giving them better access to facilities like health care and education.Border Roads help in developing the tourism sector.

Question 3

Question 7Why are the means of transport called the 'lifelines' of nation's economy?

Accepted Answer

The means of transport are called the 'Lifelines' of nation's economy because:It helps in the development of trade and commerce.It facilitates the movement of goods from producer to consumer and vice verse.Connectivity of rural areas to cities provide them opportunities and lead to their development.It has helped in the growth of industrial and agricultural production in the country. It has been transporting raw materials and labour to places of production and finished products to different parts of country and abroad.It promotes tourism.It promotes foreign trade of the country.It helps in expansion of the market both on the international and domestic front.It unites people from one corner of the land to other.

Question 4

Question 12Name the important national waterways in India.

Accepted Answer

The important national waterways in India are:The National Waterway 1 — It is on river Ganga. It starts from Allahabad to Haldia.The National Waterway 2 — It is a stretch of Brahmaputra river from Sadia to Dhubri in Assam.The National Waterway 3 — It is the west coast canal located in Kerala.The National Waterway 4 — It stretches from Kakinada to Pondicherry through canals, tank and rivers Godavari and Krishna.The National Waterway 5 — It connects Odisha and West Bengal.

Question 5

Question 13State the importance of major airports in India.

Accepted Answer

Major airports in India play a crucial role in the country's transportation infrastructure and economic development. Their importance is summarized below:They connect India to the rest of the world through international flights. This promotes international business and brings international tourists to India helping the country to earn foreign exchange.They serve as hubs for domestic travel within the country improving connectivity of economically important places.They provide employment opportunities, drive tourism, and support the growth of various industries such as trade, manufacturing, and services.

Question 6

Question 14State the problems faced by Indian shipping.

Accepted Answer

The problems faced by Indian shipping are:Indian ports are not well connected with their hinterland.Indian ports are not well planned, lack facilities and are very congested.There is heavy pressure on cargo containers.The coastal fleet is ageing fast, nearly 52% of the tonnage is already due for development.There is imbalance in the coastal traffic movement as traffic is not equally available in both directions.Slow handling of the cargo at port and undue port delays inflict heavy losses on shipping companies.

Question 7

Question 16How can air transport promote tourism at the international level?

Accepted Answer

Air transport plays a significant role in promoting international tourism by making it more convenient, accessible, and affordable for people to travel to India from different places around the world. Direct flights between India's major airports and other countries greatly promote tourism by making it more convenient for travellers to reach their destination. Air travel is generally faster and more convenient than other forms of transportation, which makes it more attractive to potential tourists.

Question 8

Question 1(c)Transport is the backbone of a country's economy. Give reasons to support your answer.

Accepted Answer

Transport is the backbone of a country's economy because of the following reasons:Transportation helps in the better utilisation of the resources of the backward areas by linking them with the more advanced areas.It aids in the process of industrialisation and urbanisation.It removes scarcity of goods during any crisis.It helps in minimising the effects of natural disasters.It brings in homogeneity and National integration in thought and culture through easy movement of people and bringing them in contact with each other.

Question 9

Question 1(d)Why is road transport in India considered more useful than rail transport? Give reasons to support your answer.

Accepted Answer

Road transport in India is considered more useful than rail transport because of the following reasons-Roads make every village and hamlet reachable.Construction cost of roads is much lower than that of the railway line.Roads can be constructed even in the areas of difficult terrain and where railway lines do not exist.Roads offer door to door service and thereby, reduce the cost of loading and unloading.The movement of goods is safer through road transport as the chances of pilferage are lesser than in the railways.Road transport provides link between railway stations and ports and their hinterlands.

Question 10

Question 2(b)Give two points of difference between highways and expressways.

Accepted Answer

HighwaysExpresswaysIn case of highways, multiple roads are there which merge with or cross the highways at many places.In expressway, roads are not multiples. There is a controlled access where a vehicle can enter through a limited place and no further.Highways may or may not have expressway type facilities like access ramps, lane dividers, telephone booths, CCTV cameras and mobile radars.Expressways have several facilities like access ramps, lane dividers, telephone booths, CCTV cameras and mobile radars.

Question 11

Question 2(d)Mention any three problems being faced by the Indian Railways.

Accepted Answer

Three problems being faced by the Indian Railways are-Indian Railways have to play a double role of revenue earning as well as fulfilling the social obligations. This is because the Railways are seen as a commercial organisation on one hand and it is treated as a social organisation on the other hand.Railway lines are difficult to construct in the hilly and mountainous parts of India.Obsolete trains, tracks and equipment make railway unsafe.

Question 12

Question 3(a)What are National Highways?

Accepted Answer

The main roads which are constructed and maintained by the Central Government are known as National Highways. These are main highways running through the length and breadth of the country and are the backbone of road infrastructure.National Highways in India are designated as NH followed by the State highway numbers.

Question 13

Question 3(b)What is the Golden Quadrilateral Project?

Accepted Answer

The Golden Quadrilateral is the largest express highway project in India. It connects India's four largest metropolies: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai and thus, forms a quadrilateral of sorts. Bengaluru, Pune, Ahmedabad and Surat are also served by this network.

Question 14

Question 3(c)Give three economic benefits of the Golden Quadrilateral Project.

Accepted Answer

Three economic benefits of the Golden Quadrilateral Project are-This highway interconnects many major cities and ports. It provides an impetus to truck transport throughout India.It enables the industrial growth of all small towns through which it passes.It provides vast opportunities for transport of agricultural produce from hinterland to major cities and ports for export.

Question 15

Question 4(c)Give a geographical reason for each of the following:(i) Railways bind the economic and cultural life of the country.(ii) Railways are not common in North-East India.(iii) North India is better suited for railways and roadways.

Accepted Answer

(i) Railways constitute the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers. It binds the economic life of the country as Indian railways carry a huge variety of goods ranging from mineral ores, fertilizers, petro-chemicals, agricultural produce, iron and steel. Ports and major urban areas have their own freight lines. Thus, railways help in accelerating the development of industry and agriculture, consequently improving the economic conditions in the country.Further, the railways bind the cultural life of the country as it brings people together from the farthest corners of the country for conducting business, sightseeing, pilgrimage, education etc.(ii) The north-eastern part of the country is marked with the presence of big rivers, dissected relief, dense forests, frequent floods, landslides and international frontiers, etc. Since it is difficult to lay railway lines in hilly terrains or remote forested areas, railways are not common in North-East India.(iii) North India is better suited for railways and roadways because north India has level land with a gradual slope due to the presence of northern plains and it is easier to build roads and lay railway tracks when the land is level and devoid of hilly terrain or remote forested areas.

Question 16

Question 5(a)Name the regulatory body looking after air transport in India. State any two of its functions.

Accepted Answer

The Airports Authority of India is looking after air transport in India.Two of its functions are-It provides aeronautical communication services in the country.It is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure.

Question 17

Question 5(b)Discuss the contribution of Air India in the air transport of India.

Accepted Answer

Air India provides international service for both passengers and cargo. It is the 16th largest airline in Asia, serving 50 domestic destinations and 39 international routes and serving over 100 cities.

Question 18

Question 5(c)List two advantages and one disadvantage of air transport in India.

Accepted Answer

Two advantages of air transport in India are-It is the fastest and comfortable mode of transport. It connects the far flung and remote areas of the country.The speed and ease with which aeroplanes can cross mountain barriers, sandy deserts, large expanses of water or forests make the air transport indispensable.One disadvantage of air transport in India is that it is costly.

Question 19

Question 5(d)Give two advantages and one disadvantage of helicopter services over aeroplane services.

Accepted Answer

Two advantages of helicopter services over aeroplane services are-Helicopters can hover, land and take off in a vertical position due to its small size. Aeroplanes cannot do that.Helicopter service provides site-seeing for the tourists and offer a wide variety of services including flying ambulances to hold patients, assistance in loading water to fight giant fires.One disadvantage of helicopter services over aeroplane services is that the noise and vibration might cause nausea, pain and motor dysfunction in the passengers. The comfort level is less as compared to an aeroplane.

Question 20

Question 6(a)Explain why India has an extensive network of waterways.

Accepted Answer

India has an extensive network of water ways because it has a long indented coastline. India also have a good network of inland waterways as it has numerous rivers, canals, backwaters and creeks. The river Ganga and Brahmaputra are perennial rivers and hence are also used for inland navigation.

Transport

Answer the following questions

Answer The Following Questions

Thinking Skills