(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 4(d) 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 tones 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 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 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 6.(d) 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.

Question7.(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.

Question7.(b) Give two points of difference between Inland Waterways and

Oceanic Waterways.
Answer:

Inland waterways Oceanic waterways

Inland waterways include rivers, canals,

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

Domestic trade takes place through inland Coastal and foreign trade
waterways. usually takes place through
 Inland waterways Oceanic waterways

oceanic waterways.

Question 7.(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following :

(i) Inland waterways are more economical than other modes of transport.
(ii) A well-developed transport network is important for industrial progress.
(iii) Airways are quite useful during natural calamity.
Answer:(i) Inland waterways are more economical than other modes of transport because it
does not require route construction. It is more economical as the friction of water is far less
than that of land. Moreover, the energy cost of water transport is lower than the other modes
of transport.

(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.

Question 7. (d) (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

Ports are man-made Harbours are natural or created places,

commercial places built along connecting a piece of land with a large
the coastline. waterbody, which serves 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.