Transport

Class 10 - Total Geography Morning Star

Answer the following questions

Question 1(a)

Name the types of roads used in India. Which agency is responsible for maintenance of
each category separately?

Answer

The types of roads used in India are as follows-

Roads Agency responsible for maintenance

National
National Highways Authority of India
Highways

Expressways National Highways Authority of India

State Highways Public Works Department of state/union territory

District roads Zilla Parishad

Gram Panchayats and National Rural Infrastructure Development

Rural roads
Agency

Border roads Border Road Organisation

Question 1(b)

Name the two major projects developed by NHAI.

Answer

Two major projects developed by NHAI are-

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

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

Answer

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.

Question 1(d)

Why is road transport in India considered more useful than rail transport? Give reasons to
support your answer.

Answer

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.

Question 2(a)

What is an expressway? Name one expressway.

Answer

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.

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

Answer

Highways Expressways

In expressway, roads are not multiples.

In case of highways, multiple roads are
There is a controlled access where a
there which merge with or cross the
vehicle can enter through a limited place
highways at many places.
and no further.

Highways may or may not have expressway

Expressways have several facilities like
type facilities like access ramps, lane
access ramps, lane dividers, telephone
dividers, telephone booths, CCTV cameras
booths, CCTV cameras and mobile radars.
and mobile radars.

Question 2(c)

Give two advantages and one disadvantage of railways.

Answer

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.

Question 2(d)

Mention any three problems being faced by the Indian Railways.

Answer

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.

Question 3(a)
What are National Highways?

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 3(b)

What is the Golden Quadrilateral Project?

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 3(c)

Give three economic benefits of the Golden Quadrilateral Project.

Answer

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.

Question 3(d)

Give three points to explain the role of roads in the economic development of the country.

Answer

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.
Question 4(a)

What is the significance of an efficient transport system?

Answer

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.

Question 4(b)

Name the types of gauges of railways used in India.

Answer

The types of gauges of railways used in India are-

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

Question 4(c)

How is the Indian rail network one of the largest and busiest networks in the world?

Answer

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.

Question 4(d)

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.

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 5(a)

Name the regulatory body looking after air transport in India. State any two of its functions.

Answer

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.

Question 5(b)

Discuss the contribution of Air India in the air transport of India.

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 5(c)

List two advantages and one disadvantage of air transport in India.

Answer
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 indispensible.

One disadvantage of air transport in India is that it is costly.

Question 5(d)

Give two advantages and one disadvantage of helicopter services over aeroplane services.

Answer

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.

Question 6(a)

Explain why India has an extensive network of waterways.

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.

Question 6(b)

Explain the role of oceanic waterways in the transport sector of India's economy.

Answer

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.

Question 6(c)
Give two advantages and one disadvantage of water transport.

Answer

Two advantages of water transport are-

1. Inland water transport mode is environment friendly and cost effective mode of
transport.
2. It is most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky material.

One disadvantage of water transport is that it depends on weather conditions.

Question 6(d)

Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) The Ganga is navigable from its mouth right upto Allahabad.

(ii) The Peninsular rivers are not ideal for inland water transport.

(iii) Mumbai is a harbour and a port.

Answer

(i) The Ganga is navigable from its mouth right upto 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.

Question 7(a)

What are the two prerequisites of waterways to be navigable?

Answer
The two prerequisites of waterways to be navigable are-

1. Regular flow of water

2. Appropriate depth in which the craft can sail easily.

Question 7(b)

Give two points of difference between Inland Waterways and Oceanic Waterways.

Answer

Inland waterways Oceanic waterways

Inland waterways include rivers, canals, backwaters

Oceanic waterways include
and creeks which are deep enough to allow the ships
transport along the coast line.
and boats to navigate safely.

Coastal and foreign trade

Domestic trade takes place through inland
usually takes place through
waterways.
oceanic waterways.

Question 7(c)

(i) Give two points of difference between a Port and a Harbour.

(ii) On which river and between which two places does the National Waterway No.2 lie?

Answer

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

Port Harbour

Harbours are natural or created places, connecting

Ports are man-made commercial
a piece of land with a large waterbody, which serves
places built along the coastline.
as ports.

The main purpose of ports is

Harbours are utilised mainly for providing safe
loading and unloading of cargo
parking or anchorage to ships.
ships.

(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.

Question 7(d)

Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Nearly 70 percent of Indians do not use air transport.

(ii) A well-developed transport network is important for industrial progress.

(iii) Airways are quite useful during natural calamity.

Answer

(i) Nearly 70 percent of Indians do not use air transport because air transport is very costly
as compared to roadways and railways, depends on weather conditions and it has high
freight rates.

(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.