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Revision Notes
Lifelines of National Economy
I. Roadways :
India has one of the largest road networks in the world. Its importance can be viewed.
(i) Construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines
(ii) Roads can traverse comparatively more dissected and undulating topography.
(iii) Roads can negotiate higher gradients of slopes and as such can traverse mountains such as the Himalayas.
(iv) It is economical in transportation of few persons and relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances.
(v) It provides door to door services.
(vi) It is used as feeder to other modes of transport such as they provide a link between railway stations, air and sea ports.
Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways :
- The Govt. has launched a major road development project linking Delhi-Kolkata-Chennai-Mumbai and Delhi by six-lane super highways.
- The North-South corridors linking Srinagar [Jammu & Kashmir] &Kanyakumari [T.N.] & East-West Corridor Connecting silcher (Assam) &Porbander (Gujarat).
- The major objective of these super highways is to reduce time and distance.
These highway projects are being implemented by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
- National Highways: National Highways link extreme parts of the country and are laid and maintained by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).
- State Highways: State Highways link a state capital with different district headquarters and are constructed and maintained by the State Public Works Department (PWD) in State and Union Territories.
- District Roads: These roads connect the district headquarters with other places of the district and are maintained by the Zila Parishad.
- Other Roads:Rural roads, which link rural areas and villages with towns. These roads received special impetus under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana.
- Border Roads :Border Roads Organisation a Government of India undertaking constructs and maintains roads in the bordering areas of the country.
II. Road Density
- The length of road per 100 sq. km of area is known as density of roads.
- Density of all roads varies from only 10 km in Jammu & Kashmir to 375 km in Kerala with the national average of 75 km (1996-97).
III. Railways :
- The distribution pattern of the railway network in the country has been largely influence by physiographic, economic and administrative factors.
- The Himalyan mountains regions are unfavorable for the construction of railway lines due to high relief, sparse population & each of economic opportunities.
- The northern plains having high population density, provide most favourable condition for their growth
- Rivers requiring construction of bridges across their wide beds posed some obstacles for the construction of railway lines.
IV.Pipelines :
- Pipelines transport network is a new arrival on the transportation map of India.
- Its initial cost is high but subsequent running costs are minimal.
- It is used for transporting crude oil, petroleum products & natural gas.
- It rules out trans-shipment losses and delays
Important Networks
1. Oil field in Assam to Kanpur (U.P.), via Guwahati, Barauni& Allahabad.
2. From Salaya in Gujarat to Jalandhar. In Punjab via Viramgam, Mathura, Delhi & Sonipat.
3. Gas pipelines from Hazira in Gujarat connects Jagdishpur in UP via Vijaypur in Madhya Pradesh.
V. Waterways
- Waterways are the cheapest means of transport. They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods.
- It is a fuel-efficient and environment friendly mode of transport.
VI. Major Sea Ports
- With a long coastline of 7,516.6 km, India is dotted with 12 major and 181 medium and minor ports. Kandla in Kuchchh was the first port developed soon after Independence.
- Kandla is a tidal port. It caters to the convenient handling of exports and imports of highly productive granary and industrial belt Mumbai is the biggest port with a spacious natural and well-sheltered harbour.
- Marmagao port (Goa) is the premier iron ore exporting port of the country.New Mangalore port, located in Karnataka caters to the export of iron ore concentrates from Kudremukh mines. Kochi is the extreme south-western port, located at the entrance of a lagoon with a natural harbour.
VII. Air Ways:
- It can cover very difficult terrains like high mountains, dreary deserts, dense forests and also long oceanic stretches with great ease.
- The air transport was nationalised in 1953.
- Air India provides international air services.
- Pawanhans Helicopters Ltd. provides helicopter services to Oil and Natural Gas Commission in its off- shore operations, to inaccessible areas and difficult terrains like the north-eastern states and the interior parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal.
VIII. Communication:
- Personal communication and mass communication including television, radio, press, films, etc. are the major means of communication in the country.
- The Indian postal network is the largest in the world.Cards and envelopes are considered first–class mail.
- The second–class mail includes book packets, registered newspapers and periodicals.
- To facilitate quick delivery of mails in large towns and cities, six mail channels have been introduced recently.
- They are called Rajdhani Channel, Metro Channel, Green Channel, Business Channel, Bulk Mail Channel and Periodical Channel. India has one of the largest telecom networks in Asia.
IX. International Trade :
- The exchange of goods among people, states & countries is referred to as trade. Trade between two countries is called International Trade.
- Exports and imports are the components of trade. The balance of a trade of a country is the difference between its export and import.
- When the value of exports exceeds the value of imports, it is called favourable balance of trades.
X. Tourism as a Trade :
- Tourism has proved itself as one of the most important aspect of trade.
- Tourism in India has grown substantially.
- It helps as promotion of National Integration.
- Provide support to local handicrafts.
- Provides support to cultural pursuits.
- Development of international understanding about our culture and heritage.
NCERT Solutions
Geography Chapter 7
Lifelines of National Economy
Question 1. Multiple choice questions.
(i) Which two of the following extreme locations are connected by the east-west corridor?
- Mumbai and Nagpur
- Silcher and Porbandar
- Mumbai and Kolkata
- Nagpur and Siligudi
Answer: (b) Silcher and Porbandar
Explanation: National Highway Development Project (NHDP), and consists of building 7300 kilometers of four/six lane expressways connecting Srinagar, Kanyakumari, Kochi, Porbandar and Silchar.
(ii) Which mode of transportation reduces trans-shipment losses and delays?
- Railways
- Roadways
- Pipeline
- Waterways
Answer: (c) Pipeline
Explanation: Initial cost of laying pipelines is high but subsequent running costs are minimal. It rules out trans-shipment losses and delays.
(iii) Which one of the following states is not connected with the H.V.J. pipeline?
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Uttar Pradesh
Answer: (b) Maharashtra
Explanation: Gas pipeline from Hazira in Gujarat connects Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh via Vijaipur in Madhya Pradesh.
(iv) Which one of the following ports is the deepest land-locked and well-protected port along the east coast?
- Chennai
- Paradwip
- Tuticorin
- Vishakhapatnam
Answer: (d) Vishakhapatnam
Explanation: Landlocked means enclosed in all sides by land. Vishakapatnam is naturally deep and hence, called a natural harbour.
(v) Which one of the following is the most important modes of transportation in India?
- Pipeline
- Railways
- Roadways
- Airways
Answer: (b) Railways
Explanation: It is one of the most important, commonly used and very cost effective modes of commuting and goods carriage overlong as well as, short distances.
(vi) Which one of the following terms is used to describe trade between two or more countries?
- Internal trade
- International trade
- External trade
- Local trade
Answer: (b) International trade
Explanation: International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product
Question 2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) State any three merits of roadways.
Answer: Merits of roadways:
- The Construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines.
- Roads can go through dissected and undulating land areas and through steep mountains
- They are economical as loading costs are low and door-to-door service can be availed of. Road transport is most suited for transporting delicate goods like chinaware and glassware, which are likely to be damaged in the process of loading and unloading.
(ii) Where and why is rail transport the most convenient means of transportation?
Answer: In the northern plains, rail transport is the most convenient means of transportation. This is because this region has vast level lands that are good for laying tracks, huge population and high agricultural productivity, making rail transport a profitable venture.It is used for both long distances as well as short distances.
(iii) What is the significance of the border roads?
Answer: Border roads are strategically important as they improve access to areas like the northern and north-eastern border areas which have a difficult terrain. Border roads are constructed and maintained by Border Roads Organization (BRO). The Government of India uundertakes, constructs and maintains roads in the bordering areas of the country. It improves the security because the army and arms can be mobilized easily through these roads.
(iv) What is meant by trade? What is the difference between international and local trade?
Answer: Trade is the movement of goods and services between regions for economic gain. Trade between two or more countries is termed international trade. It may take place through sea, air or land routes. Trade occurring in a region within the same country is called local trade. Local trade is carried in cities, towns and villages.
Question 3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Why are the means of transportation and communication called the lifelines of a nation and its economy?
Answer: The means of transportation and communication are called the lifelines of a nation and its economy due to the reasons given below:
- The means of transportation and communication help in the production and movement of goods and services.
- Transport helps in the development of communication. Various means of communication help us in interacting with others in all the parts of the world. It has brought the world closer.
- Transport like railways helps us in conducting various activities like business, sightseeing, pilgrimage and transportation of goods over longer distances.
- Pipelines are used for transporting crude oil and natural gas to refineries and factories.
- Water provides the cheapest means of transport and is useful for international trade.
- Air transport provides the fastest, most comfortable mode of transport.
Thus, it is clear that there are many advantages of transportation and communication. These means help in the development of the country. So they are called the lifelines of a nation and its economy.
(ii) Write a note on the changing nature of international trade in the last fifteen years.
Answer: The changing nature of the international trade for India, in the last fifteen years, has been impressive. Exchange of information and knowledge has surpassed the exchange of goods and commodities. Through its advanced software knowledge and excellence in the field of information technology, India has emerged as a viable contender at the international level and is earning huge amounts of foreign exchange through the same. Tourism too has added to India's upgraded position in international trade. In 2004, there was a 23.5% increase in foreign tourist arrivals as against the number in 2003. Thus, international trade for India has undergone a cognisable change in the past fifteen years.
QUIZ DRIVE
1. Northern terminal of the North-South corridor.
(i) Srinagar
2. The name of National Highway No.2.
(ii) Grand Trunk Road
3. The headquarter of the southern railway zone.
(iii) Chennai
4. The rail gauge with a track width of 1.676 m.
(iv) Broad gauge
5. The southern terminal of the National Highway No.7.
(v) Kanyakumari
6. A Riverine Port.
(vi) Kolkata Port Trust
7. Busiest railway junction in Northern India.
(vii) Mughalsarai