NCERT Class 10 Economics Contemporary India Lifelines of National Economy

We use different materials and services in our daily life. Some of these are available in our immediate surroundings, while other requirements are met by bringing things from other places. Goods and services do not move from supply locales to demand locales on their own. The movement of these goods and services from their supply locations to demand locations necessitates the need for transport. Some people are engaged in facilitating these movements. These are known to be traders who make the products come to the consumers by transportation. Thus, the pace of development of a country depends upon the production of goods and services as well as their movement over space. Therefore, efficient means of transport are prerequisites for fast development.

CASE STUDY QUESTIONS

Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:

Since the ancient period, India was one of the seafaring countries. Its seamen sailed far and near, thus, carrying and spreading Indian commerce and culture. 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. India has inland navigation waterways of 14,500 km in length. Out of these only 5685 km are navigable by mechanised vessels. The following waterways have been declared as the National Waterways by the Government.
• The Ganga River between Allahabad and Haldia (1620 km)-N.W. No.1
• The Brahmaputra river between Sadiya and Dhubri (891 km)-N.W. No.2
• The West-Coast Canal in Kerala (Kottapuram-Kollam, Udyogamandal and Champakkara canals-205 km) – N.W. No.3
• Specified stretches of Godavari and Krishna rivers along with Kakinada Puducherry stretch of canals (1078 km) – N.W. No.4

Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:

Question. The National Waterway No. 1 is navigable between which of the following places?
A. Between Sadiya and Dhubri
B. Between Allahabad and Haldia
C. Between Kottapuram and Komman
D. Between Udyogamandal and Champakkara
Answer. B

Question. Which of the following is the cheapest mode of transportation?
A. Airways
B. Waterways
C. Roadways
D. Railways
Answer. C

Question. Fill in the blank with an appropriate option: …………………... channel covers Kerala.
A. West Coast Canal
B. East Coast Canal
C. North Coast Canal
D. South Coast Canal
Answer. A

Question. Which of the following National Waterways is the longest waterway?
A. The Ganga River between Allahabad and Haldia
B. The Brahmaputra River between Sadiya and Dhubri
C. The West-Coast Canal
D. Specified stretches of Godavari and Krishna rivers along with Kakinada Puducherry stretch of canals.
Answer. A

Question. Which is the most environment friendly mode of transport?
A. Airways
B. Railways
C. Waterways
D. Land
Answer. C

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Question. When and where was the first rail steamed off in India?
Answer. 16 April 1853, Mumbai to Thane

Question. What are the components of international trade?
Answer. Import and Export

Question. Which is an important port of India for the export of iron ore?
Answer. Marmagao

Question. Which is the first port developed after Independence of India?
Answer. Kandla

Question. What is the coastline extent of India?
Answer. 7516.6 km

Question. Which is the busiest railway junction in northern India?
Answer. Mughal sarai (Pandit. Deen dayal Upadhyay Junction)

Question. Give an example of first class mail.
Answer. Card

Question. Which is the longest gas pipeline in India?
Answer. Hazira- Vijaypur- Jagdishpur

Question. Rewrite the statement after correcting the underlined word-The trade between two nations is called local trade.
Answer. International trade

Question. Identify the incorrect match-
Meenambakkam        – Airport
Kandla                      – Port
Silcher to Porbander  – East-west corridor
Delhi to Haldia          – National waterways no.1
Answer. Delhi to Haldia -National waterways no.1

Question. Which one of the following is the fastest and most comfortable mode of transportation?
(a) Roadways
(b) Airways
(c) Waterways
(d) Railways
Answer. Airways

Question. National waterways no.1 connects ....................... to .....................
Answer. Prayagraj(Allahabad) to Haldia

Question. State True or False for the following statement-
The Headquarter of Northern railway is at Delhi.
Answer. True

Question. An assertion (A) and its reason (B)is given below. Read the following statements and choose the right answer from the options given below.
Assertion (A): The reduction in the share market in one country affects many other countries of the world.
Reasoning (R): International trade has bind the economy of the world.
(a) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are correct but R is the not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is correct but R is incorrect
(d) R is correct but A is incorrect
Answer. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A

Question. An assertion (A) and its reason (B)is given below. Read the following statements and choose the right answer from the options given below.
Assertion (A): Roadways are more beneficial than railways.
Reasoning (R): Its construction cost is low.
(a) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are correct but R is the not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is correct but R is incorrect
(d) R is correct but A is incorrect
Answer. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Question. Efficient means of transport are pre-requisites for fast development.’ Express your views in favour of this statement.
Answer. 
• The movement of goods and services from the supply location to demand locations necessitates the need for transport. • It widens the market for goods. • It allows distant and remote areas to be linked with urban and developed, regions. • The development and improvement of transport have made the delivery of goods faster across long distances and thus reduced cost. Immediate relief during the war, natural calamity, famine or flood can be easily accessed through efficient means of transport.

Question. How are the means of transport and communication complementary to each other? Explain with three examples.
Answer. 
• Transport and communication provide basic infrastructure for each other to carry on their process.
• They create possibilities for investment to upgrade and expand their services.
• Communication has widened the horizons of trade far and wide.
• Transport had limited access earlier. With the advancement of science and technology the world has converted into a large village. Communication has widened the scope of transportation even in the remote areas

Question. What is the significance of the border roads?
Answer. • The Border Roads are vital road link along the frontiers of our country. • These roads are of strategic importance. • These roads have improved accessibility in areas of difficult terrain mainly in the northern and north eastern border areas. • They have played a major role in the economic development of these areas. • These roads are constructed and maintained by the Border Roads Organization (a government of India undertaking) which was established in 1960.

Question. What is the difference between personal communication and mass communication?
Answer. 
Personal Communication:
1. It's the communication between person to person.
2. It provides necessary communication between two people making man a social animal.
3. 3. We have letters, e-mails, SMSs, telephone and mobile phone facilities which also includes STD and ISD services.
Mass Communication:
1. It's the communication among masses.
2. It provides entertainment as well as creates awareness among the masses.
3. It includes radio, television, newspapers, magazines, books, films, etc.

Question. What are the problems faced by Indian Railways?
Answer. 
• Thefts and damaging of railway property by miscreants. • People stop the trains and pull chains unnecessarily that causes heavy damage to the railways and also causes delays

Question. What made the location of inland oil refineries possible? Name any two inland oil refineries.
Answer. 
• Location of inland oil refineries was made possible because of pipeline transportation which links them with oilfields.
• Inland oil refineries are:
1.Barauni
2.Mathura
3. Panipat

Question. Write merits of waterways in India.
Answer. 
• Waterways are a fuel efficient and environment friendly mode of transport. • They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods. • India’s trade with foreign countries is carried from the ports located along the coast, and more than 95% of the country’s trade volume is moved by the sea.

Question. What are ‘Pawan Hans’ services? Write two purposes for which these services are used.
Answer. 
The Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd., a public sector undertaking, provides helicopter services to: • Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) in its offshore operations. • Inaccessible areas and difficult terrains like the north-eastern states, the interior parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• They are also pressed into service at the time of emergencies and for providing relief measures at the time of natural calamities.

Question. Define international trade. Why is it considered as economic barometer of a country?
Answer. 
• It is very important for the development of a country. Advancement of international trade of a country is an index to its economic prosperity.
• As the resources are space bound no country can survive without international trade.
• It enables a country to earn foreign exchange which is needed to import essential goods. It is therefore considered the economic barometer for a country

Question. List any three merits of roadways.
Answer. • The construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines.
• Road transport is economical in the transportation of a few persons and a relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances.
• Roads can traverse comparatively more dissected and undulating topography.
• Roads offer door to door convenience unlike other modes of transport.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:

Question. Examine with examples the role of means of transport and communication in making our life prosperous and comfortable.
Answer. 
• Means of transport provide seamless movement of goods and people and thus facilitate various economic activities. • Means of communication help in flow of information which is necessary for proper management of supply chain and financial transactions. • Various means of transport and communication have reduced distances, bringing the world closer. Modern life is so complex that one has to depend on others. The same is true of the countries as well. No country today can prosper without the co-operation and assistance of others. This requires movement of goods and materials between countries. Trade provides us with our necessities and also adds to the amenities and comfort of our life. • Transport like railways help us in conducting various activities like business, sightseeing, pilgrimage and transportation of goods over longer distances. • Water provides the cheapest means of transport and is useful for international trade. Air transport provides the fastest, most comfortable mode of transport. Pipelines are used for transporting crude oil and natural gas to refineries and factories.

Question. “Roadways still have an edge over railways in India”. Give reasons.
Answer. 
• Construction of roads is easier and cheaper as compared to railways.
• Roads provide door to door service; thus, the cost of loading and unloading is much lower as compared to railways which generally leave the people and goods at the destined railway stations.
• Roads can negotiate higher gradients of slope and, as such, can traverse through mountainous terrain. But railways cannot negotiate steep gradients.
• Road transport is economical in transportation of few persons and relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances.
• Road transport is also used as a feeder to other modes of transport. They provide links between railway stations, airports and sea ports.
• They link agricultural farms with markets and industries, thus linking rural and urban areas

Question. Why do the movement of goods and services form one place to another require fast and efficient means of transport? Explain with examples.
Answer. 
• Because of transport raw materials reach the factory and finished products reach to the consumer. The pace of development of a country depends upon the production of goods and services as well as their movement over space. • Good transport helps in quick carrying of raw materials from remote areas to the production centre and allows distribution of goods efficiently. • Transport helps in the development of communication • Transport like railways helps us in conducting various activities like business, sightseeing, pilgrimages, etc. • 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 rightly called the lifelines of a nation and its economy.

Question. Why is air travel more popular in the north eastern states of India? Explain.
Answer. 
• North eastern part of the country is marked with the presence of big rivers where other means of transport cannot be laid. • It is marked with dissected relief that makes it impossible to access the area through other means of transport other than air. • The entire area is covered with dense forest that resists land movement. • This area is often hit by frequent floods. Air travel is thus required. • It has a long international frontier that requires a quick response which is possible only through air transport.

Question.“Railways are the principal mode of transportation in India.” Explain.
Answer. 
• Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers. • The Indian Railways have a network of 7,031 stations, 7,817 locomotives, 5,321 passenger service vehicles, 4,904 other coach vehicles and 228,170 wagons as on 31st March, 2004. • The total length of railways is 63,221 km. • Railways are useful in conducting business, sightseeing, pilgrimage along with transportation of goods over longer distances. • It is the largest public undertaking in the country. Thus, it is clear that the railways are playing an important role in our economy.

Question. Describe the significance of tourism as a trade in India.
Answer. 
• Tourism in India has grown substantially over the last three decades. • Foreign tourist’s arrival has witnessed an increase, thus contributing to foreign exchange. • More than 15 million people are directly engaged in the tourism industry. • It provides support to local handicrafts and cultural pursuits. • Tourism also promotes national integration. • It helps in development of international understanding about our culture and heritage. • Foreign tourists visit India for heritage tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, medical and business tourism.

Question. What are the problems faced by road transportation in India?
Answer. • The road network is inadequate in proportion to the volume of traffic and passengers. • About half of the roads are unmetalled which makes them useless during rainy season. • The National Highways are inadequate and lack roadside amenities. • The roadways are highly congested in cities. • Most of the bridges and culverts are old and narrow.

Question. Excessive use of road transportation is the main reason for ever increasing pollution which is very damaging for health. How according to you, this can be controlled?
Answer. 
• Regular monitoring of pollution check of vehicles.
• Ban on old commercial vehicles driven on conventional fuels.
• Promoting use of bicycle.
• Making more use and availability of CNG
• More use of public vehicles instead of private vehicles.

Question. Why is the distribution of roads not uniform in India? Explain with examples.
Answer. 
• Distribution of roads is not uniform in India due to different types of geographical features. • Moreover, the volume of traffic as well as passengers also affects road networking in India. • Roads are highly congested in cities. Most of the bridges and culverts have become narrow, old and broken. • Some roads are metalled, that is well built with brick and cement and about half of the roads are unmetalled specially in rural areas which makes them inaccessible during rainy seasons. • The regions with rugged terrain have steep roads with lots of hairpin bend

Question. What are the advantages of pipeline transportation?
Answer. 
• Pipelines can transport liquids, gases and solids (in slurry form) to any distance. • Pipelines are used for transporting crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas from oil and natural gas fields to refineries, fertilizer factories and big thermal power plants. • Initial cost of laying pipelines is high but subsequent running costs are minimal. • It reduces trans-shipment losses and delays. • They can be laid in any terrain and even through the water-bodies.

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