Transport

The types of roads used in India are as follows-

Two major projects developed by NHAI are:

1. Golden Quadrilateral
2. North-South and East-West Corridors

Transport is the backbone of a country's economy because of the following reasons:

1. Transportation helps in the better utilisation of the resources of the backward areas by linking them with the more advanced areas.
2. It aids in the process of industrialisation and urbanisation.
3. It removes scarcity of goods during any crisis.
4. It helps in minimising the effects of natural disasters.
5. It brings in homogeneity and National integration in thought and culture through easy movement of people and bringing them in contact with each other.

Road transport in India is considered more useful than rail transport because of the following reasons-

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

Expressways are highways planned for high-speed traffic, having few intersection, limited points of access or exit and a divider between lanes for traffic moving in opposite directions. They usually have six to eight lanes.

An example is Yamuna Expressway that connects Greater Noida with Agra.

Two advantages of railways are-

1. Railways transport raw materials to the production units and finished goods to the markets.
2. Railways help in reducing sufferings during natural calamities.

One disadvantage of railways is that rail transport lacks flexibility of routes. Train tracks cannot be laid in every region of the country like in the hilly areas and the remote forested areas.

Three problems being faced by the Indian Railways are-

1. 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.
2. Railway lines are difficult to construct in the hilly and mountainous parts of India.
3. Obsolete trains, tracks and equipment make railway unsafe.

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.

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.

Three economic benefits of the Golden Quadrilateral Project are-

1. This highway interconnects many major cities and ports. It provides an impetus to truck transport throughout India.
2. It enables the industrial growth of all small towns through which it passes.
3. It provides vast opportunities for transport of agricultural produce from hinterland to major cities and ports for export.

The role of roads in the economic development of the country can be understood from the following points-

1. Roads offer door to door service and thereby, reduce the cost of loading and unloading. Roads also help farmers to move their perishable products quickly to the markets.
2. National highways and expressways link various important cities and reduce the time of travel and distance between mega cities.
3. Construction cost of roads is much lower than that of the railway lines and roads connect the fields of raw material to industries and markets.

The significance of an efficient transport system is as follows-

1. Transportation helps in the better utilisation of the resources of the backward areas by linking them with the more advanced areas.
2. It aids in the process of industrialisation and urbanisation.
3. It removes scarcity of goods during any crisis.
4. It helps in minimising the effects of natural disasters.
5. It brings in homogeneity and National integration in thought and culture through easy movement of people and bringing them in contact with one another.

The types of gauges of railways used in India are-

1. Broad gauge
2. Metre gauge
3. Narrow gauge

(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.

The Indian rail network is one of the largest and busiest networks in the world, transporting over 18 million passengers and more than 2 million tonnes of freight daily. It is the world's largest employer, with more than 1.4 million employees. The railways traverse the length and breadth of the country, covering 7,137 stations over a total route length of more than 66,030 kilometres.

The Airports Authority of India is looking after air transport in India.

Two of its functions are-

1. It provides aeronautical communication services in the country.
2. It is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure.

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.

Two advantages of air transport in India are-

1. It is the fastest and comfortable mode of transport. It connects the far flung and remote areas of the country.
2. 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.

Two advantages of helicopter services over aeroplane services are-

1. Helicopters can hover, land and take off in a vertical position due to its small size. Aeroplanes cannot do that.
2. 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.

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.

Oceanic waterways constitute an important role in the transport sector of India's economy as ocean routes handle 95% of India's foreign trade by volume and about 70% by value. Besides international trade, these routes are also used for transportation between the islands and the rest of the country.

(i) The Ganga is navigable from its mouth right up to Allahabad because of the following reasons-

1. Ganga is a perennial river fed by monsoon rains in the rainy season and melting of snow on the lofty mountains during dry season.
2. It is joined by Yamuna, Son, Ramaganga, Gomti, Ghagra, Gandak and Kosi which increase the depth of water in Ganga, which is more than 10 metres up to Allahabad.
3. The slope of the Ganga is gradual and the river bed is free from stones and silt.

(ii) The Peninsular rivers are not ideal for inland water transport because of the following reasons-

1. These rivers are seasonal as they are rain-fed.
2. These rivers are comparatively shorter than the rivers of northern India.
3. These rivers are marked by a number of waterfalls.

(iii) When natural harbours have all the facilities of ports they serve as ports. Mumbai is a harbour as it is surrounded by land on most sides but has an entrance point to the Arabian sea. It is also a port as it has facilities for loading and unloading of cargo ships as well as buildings and warehouses for storing goods and well built transport system.

(i) The factors upon which the growth of this means of transport depends on are:

1. Water availability and navigability
2. Infrastructure development
3. Government policies and Investment
4. Economic competitiveness with other transport modes.

(ii) The disadvantages of Inland waterways are given below:

1. These waterways must be free of barriers such as waterfalls and rapids, which makes the rivers of Peninsular India not ideal for navigation.
2. Navigation issues due to seasonal fluctuation of water, shallow depth, undulating river beds and their silting, and reduction of water level due to diversion for irrigation.
3. Inadequate infrastructure.
4. Slower transportation.
5. It depends on weather conditions.

The two prerequisites of waterways to be navigable are-

1. Regular flow of water
2. Appropriate depth in which the craft can sail easily.

(i) Inland waterways are often more economical than other modes of transport because they require lower infrastructure costs, have lower fuel consumption, high cargo capacity, and offer lower operational costs, making them suitable for transporting large volumes of goods.

(ii) A well-developed transport network is important for industrial progress because it helps in connecting one part of the country with the other. It facilitates movement of raw material, fuel, machinery etc., to the points of production and finished goods to the points of marking and consumption. Thus, a well developed transport network is essential for industrialisation and urbanisation.

(iii) Airways are quite useful during natural calamity because it can be used to air-lift people from the affected areas and to air-drop food, medicines and other necessary things to calamity affected people.

(i) Two points of difference between a port and a harbour are-

(ii) National Waterway No. 2 lies on Brahmaputra river and connects the North-East region with Kolkata and Haldia ports through Bangladesh and Sunderbans waterways.

The Government of India is constructing airports in towns, tourist destinations, and pilgrimage points due to the following reasons:

1. Enhanced Connectivity: Smaller towns and remote locations gain improved links to major cities and global air networks. This reduces travel time and connects previously isolated regions.

2. Economic Development and Regional Growth: Better air connectivity facilitates tourism, pilgrimage, and business travel, which in turn stimulates local economies. It helps spread economic growth beyond traditional urban centers.

3. Promotion of Tourism and Cultural Exchange: Airports at tourist and pilgrimage destinations make it easier for both domestic and international visitors to access these regions, thereby boosting tourism and cultural interaction.

The development of National Waterway-1 (NW-1), which runs along the Ganga River and connects Haldia-Kolkata-Farakka-Munger-Patna-Varanasi-Allahabad, has given a major boost to industries in the region. This waterway facilitates cheap and efficient transport of raw materials like coal and finished products like fertilizers and cement.

For instance, industries in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal benefit from this waterway by transporting heavy and bulky goods at lower costs compared to road or rail. This has reduced input costs for industries and made exports easier, providing a significant impetus to industrial growth.

Thus, the development of NW-1 along the Ganga is a clear example of how waterways can promote industrialization.

(i) Four cities that are connected by the north-south corridor are

1. Delhi
2. Nagpur
3. Hyderabad
4. Bengaluru

(ii) Two reasons in support of NHAI's highway projects are as follows-

1. To handle increasing traffic on National Highways.
2. To reduce travel time and ensure smooth flow of goods and people.

The Yamuna Expressway helps give impetus to the sugar industry by improving connectivity between sugar-producing areas of western Uttar Pradesh and major markets like Delhi and Noida. This reduces transportation time and cost, ensuring quicker delivery of sugarcane to mills and processed sugar to markets, thereby boosting the efficiency and profitability of the sugar industry.

Controlled access through absence of multiple roads on an Expressway.

Waterways

Explanation — National Waterway No. 1 that connects Haldia-Kolkata-Farakka-Munger-Patna-Varanasi-Allahabad can be used to transport this large consignment of silk fabric from Varanasi to Haldia port.

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation — Transportation helps in the better utilisation of the resources as it helps in connecting one part of the country with the other; it facilitates, the movement of raw materials, fuel, machinery, to the points of production and finished goods to the points of marketing and consumption. Hence, it is like the arteries and veins in the human body.

Srinagar to Kanyakumari

Porbandar and Silchar

Jhansi

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation — Industrialisation increases traffic on National Highways, and the NHAI develops and maintains these highways to support this growing demand. Thus, NHAI's role supports the increased traffic due to industrial growth.

Roadways

Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.

Explanation — While both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, Reason (R) does not explain Assertion (A) as Reason (R) is stating the consequence of high traffic, and not its cause.

Width of the track

Broad Gauge

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation — Indian Railways' huge size has put pressure on the centralised management system. Therefore, to ease this pressure, the railway system has been divided into 18 zones.

1 m

Ease of crossing difficult terrain

Inland waterways

Both were constructed with the aim to reduce pressure on major ports.

waterfalls.

A is true but R is false.

Explanation — While Assertion (A) is true, Reason (R) is false as freight transportation by waterways is highly underutilised in India.

Cheap; environment friendly

Ennore

The issue of increasing vehicular pollution is indeed a significant concern in many cities of India. While it's important to address this problem, completely halting the construction of new roads, bridges, and tunnels may not be the most practical solution because of the following reasons:

1. Economic growth and development rely on well-connected infrastructure, making it necessary to construct new roads, bridges, and tunnels.
2. Effective traffic management measures like improved public transportation and congestion charges can alleviate pollution without halting infrastructure projects.
3. Implementing stricter environmental regulations and vehicle emission standards can reduce pollution levels without stopping infrastructure development.
4. Sustainable urban planning and design, such as pedestrian-friendly areas and dedicated cycling lanes, can promote alternative modes of transportation.
5. Incorporating green infrastructure elements alongside road networks can improve air quality and mitigate pollution. Balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability requires a comprehensive approach.

While it's essential to consider a balanced transportation approach, focusing more on the development of Metro rail in India can offer several advantages:

1. Efficient and sustainable — Metro rail systems consume less energy, produce fewer emissions, and can transport a large number of passengers at once.
2. Reduced congestion — Metro rail networks can lead to smoother traffic flow, reduced travel time, and improved overall efficiency of the transportation system.
3. Improved connectivity — Metro rail systems can enhance connectivity within cities and regions.
4. Safety and reliability — Metro rail networks are designed with safety measures, reducing the risk of accidents compared to road transport.
5. Space utilization — Metro rail systems require less physical space compared to road networks.