Transport and CommunicationClass 12 India - People And Economy NCERT Solutions
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Solution 1 of 4
Q1EXERCISES
Choose the right answers of the following from the given options.
(i)
In how many zones has the Indian Railways system been divided?
(a)
9
(b)
12
(c)
17
(d)
14
(ii)
On which river and between which two places does the National Water Way No. 1 lie?
(a)
The Brahmaputra, Sadiya-Dhubri
(b)
The Ganga, Haldia-Prayagraj
(c)
West Coast Canal, Kottapuram to Kollam
(d)
Godavari-Kakinada Puducherry
(iii)
In which of the following year, the first radio programme was broadcast?
(a)
1911
(b)
1936
(c)
1927
(d)
1923
Solution
(i) (c) 17
As mentioned in the chapter, to manage the very large size of the Indian Railways network, the system has been divided into 17 zones.
(ii) (b) The Ganga, Haldia-Prayagraj
According to Table 7.3, National Waterway No. 1 is the Prayagraj-Haldia stretch, which is located on the Ganga river.
(iii) (d) 1923
The chapter states that radio broadcasting in India began in 1923 with the establishment of the Radio Club of Bombay.
Q2EXERCISES
Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i)
Which activity does transportation convey? Name three major modes of transportation.
(ii)
Discuss advantages and disadvantages of pipeline transportation.
(iii)
What do you mean by 'communication'?
Solution
(i) Which activity does transportation convey? Name three major modes of transportation.
Transportation is the activity of moving goods, commodities, ideas, and people from one place to another, such as from the site of production to the market. The three major modes of transportation mentioned in the chapter are Land, Water, and Air transport.
(ii) Discuss advantages and disadvantages of pipeline transportation.
The chapter highlights that pipelines are the most convenient and efficient mode for transporting liquids and gases over long distances. A key advantage is their ability to transport even solids after they are converted into slurry. The provided text does not mention any disadvantages of pipeline transportation.
(iii) What do you mean by 'communication'?
Communication is the process of exchanging views, ideas, and messages from one place to another or from one individual to another. This exchange is facilitated by various means, ranging from traditional methods to modern technologies like the internet and satellites.
Q3EXERCISES
Answer the following questions in about 150 words.
(i)
Which are the chief means of transportation in India? Discuss the factors affecting their development.
(ii)
Give a detailed account of the development of railways in India and highlight their importance.
(iii)
Describe the role of roads in the economic development of India.
Solution
(i) Which are the chief means of transportation in India? Discuss the factors affecting their development.
The chief means of transportation in India are categorised into Land (roads, railways, pipelines), Water (inland waterways, oceanic routes), and Air transport. The development of these modes is influenced by several factors.
- Economic and Technological Factors: Economic and technological advancements have been crucial for the development of metalled roads and railways, enabling the movement of large volumes of goods and people. The development of pipelines for transporting oil and gas is also a result of technological progress to meet specific economic demands.
- Terrain: The physical nature of the terrain significantly affects the development of transport networks. For instance, the density of rural roads and railways is lower in hilly, plateau, and forested areas due to construction challenges and higher costs. In contrast, the development of railways and roads is more concentrated in plain areas.
- Political and Administrative Factors: Government policies and planning play a vital role. The 'Nagpur Plan' (1943) and the 'twenty-year road plan' (1961) were attempts to improve road conditions. The establishment of bodies like the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Inland Waterways Authority demonstrates the administrative push for transport development.
- Strategic Needs: Defence and strategic considerations influence transport development, especially in border areas. The Border Road Organisation (BRO) was established to build roads in northern and north-eastern border regions to strengthen defence preparedness.
(ii) Give a detailed account of the development of railways in India and highlight their importance.
The development of the Indian Railways began in 1853 with the first line from Bombay to Thane. During the British colonial era, the network was primarily developed for the exploitation of resources, connecting raw material producing areas, plantations, and cantonment towns to ports.
After Independence, the railway network was extended to new areas to promote balanced regional development. Significant milestones in its development include:
- Network Expansion: The total network length has grown to 67,956 km (as of 2019-20), making it one of the longest in the world.
- Gauge Conversion: An extensive program is underway to convert metre and narrow gauges to broad gauge to ensure uniformity and increase capacity.
- Modernisation: Steam engines have been replaced by more efficient and faster diesel and electric engines, which has also improved the environment at stations.
- Zonal Division: For efficient management, the entire system has been divided into 17 zones.
- New Projects: The construction of the Konkan Railway in 1998 along the western coast is an engineering marvel that has improved connectivity.
- Urban Transport: The introduction of Metro rail has revolutionized the urban transport system in major cities.
The importance of railways is immense. They facilitate the long-distance movement of both freight and passengers, making them the principal mode of transport for the masses. They contribute significantly to economic growth by transporting raw materials and finished goods. As Mahatma Gandhi noted, railways also played a crucial role in uniting people from diverse cultures during India's freedom struggle.
(iii) Describe the role of roads in the economic development of India.
Roads play a pivotal role in the economic development of India by providing crucial connectivity and facilitating the movement of goods and people. India has the second-largest road network in the world, which acts as a lifeline for its economy.
- Dominant Mode of Transport: Roads carry the majority of the country's traffic, accounting for about 85 per cent of passenger and 70 per cent of freight traffic annually. This makes them indispensable for trade, commerce, and daily commuting.
- Connectivity: Roads provide door-to-door service and act as feeder links to railway stations, airports, and seaports. National Highways connect state capitals, major cities, and important ports, forming the backbone of the economy. Rural roads are vital for connecting villages to markets, enabling the transport of agricultural produce and fostering rural development.
- Economic Efficiency: Major projects like the Golden Quadrilateral, which connects Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, and the North-South and East-West Corridors, are designed to reduce the time, distance, and cost of movement between mega cities. The Bharatmala Pariyojana aims to develop economic corridors to enhance logistic efficiency.
- Strategic Importance: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructs and maintains roads in strategically important areas, which not only strengthens national security but also accelerates economic development in remote border regions.
In essence, the development and quality of the road network are directly linked to the country's economic progress by ensuring efficient distribution, promoting trade, and integrating rural and urban economies.
Q1Project
Find out the facilities that Indian Railways provide to the passengers.
Solution
Based on the provided chapter, the Indian Railways provides several facilities to its passengers:
-
Nationwide Connectivity: The primary facility is the movement of passengers across a vast network, connecting towns, raw material producing areas, hill stations, and major cities. It remains the main means of transport for the masses.
-
Increased Speed and Efficiency: Through modernization, such as the replacement of steam engines with diesel and electric engines, the railways have increased their speed and haulage capacity, resulting in faster and more efficient travel for passengers.
-
Improved Station Environment: The phasing out of coal-run steam engines has led to a cleaner and better environment at railway stations.
-
Specialized Routes: The construction of new routes like the Konkan Railway provides direct and faster links between important commercial centres like Mumbai and Mangaluru, offering greater convenience to passengers on that route.
-
Urban Transit Systems: In urban areas, the introduction of the Metro rail has revolutionized the transport system, providing a modern, fast, and efficient travel facility for a large number of city commuters.