Chapter 7 Lifelines of National Economy

Question 1. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Which two of the following extreme locations are connected by the eastwest corridor?

(a) Mumbai and Nagpur         (b) Silcher and Porbandar

(c) Mumbai and Kolkata         (d) Nagpur and Siligudi

(ii) Which mode of transportation reduces transshipment losses and delays?

(a) Railways             (b) Roadways

(c) Pipeline              (d) Waterways

(iii) Which one of the following states is not connected with the H.V.J. pipeline?

(a) Madhya Pradesh            (b) Maharashtra

(c) Gujarat                              (d) Uttar Pradesh

(iv) Which one of the following ports is the deepest landlocked and well protected port along the east coast?

(a) Chennai             (b) Paradip

(c) Tuticorin            (d) Vishakhapatnam

(v) Which one of the following is the most important modes of transportation in India?

(a) Pipeline                (b) Railways

(c) Roadways            (d) Airways

(vi) Which one of the following terms is used to describe trade between two or more countries?
(a) Internal trade                   (b) External trade
(c) International trade          (d) Local trade

Answer 1

(i)—(b)

(ii)—(c)

(iii)—(b)

(iv)—(d)

(v)—(c)

(vi)—(c)

Question 2 Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) State any three merits of roadways.

(ii) Where and why is rail transport the most convenient means of transportation?

(iii) What is the significance of the border roads?

(iv) What is meant by trade? What is the difference between international and local trade?

Answer 2 (i) Three merits of roadways are:

(a) Construction cost of roads is much lower.

(b) It provides door to door services thus the cost of loading and unloading is much lower.

(c) It is used as feeder to other modes of transport. To reach any destination be it railway station, sea port or airport, one needs to travel through roads.

(ii) Rail transport is the most convenient means of transportation in the northern plains. It is because the northern plains have vast level land, high population density and rich agricultural resources. These have provided the most favourable condition for the growth of rail transport.

(iii) The significance of border roads:

(a) Border roads have improved accessibility in areas of difficult terrain.

(b) They have helped in the economic development of these areas.

(iv) The exchange of goods among people, states and countries is referred to as trade. Trade between two or more countries is termed as international trade but trade which occurs in a region within the same country is called local trade.

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?

(ii) Write a note on the changing nature of the international trade in the last fifteen years.

Answer 3 (i) The development of a country depends upon the production of goods and services as well as their finished products reach to the consumer. Transport has helped in both production and distribution of goods. Hence, efficient means of transport are prerequisites for fast development. India is well-linked with the rest of the world despite its vast size, diversity and linguistic and sociocultural plurality. Railways, airways, water ways, news papers, radio, television, cinema and internet, etc. have been contributing to its socio-economic progress in many ways. The trades from local to international levels have added to the vitality of its economy. It has also enriched our life and added substantially to growing amenities and facilities for the comforts of life. Hence, it is right to say that means of transportation and communication are the lifelines of a nation and its economy.

(ii) International trade is defined as the exchange of goods and services between two or more countries. International trade has undergone a sea change in the last fifteen years. Exchange of commodities and goods have been superseded by the exchange of information and knowledge. India has emerged as a software giant at the international level and it is earning huge foreign exchange through the export of information technology. Advancement of international trade of a country is an index to its economic prosperity. It is, therefore, considered the economic barometre for a country. Income earned from international trade constitutes a major part in the net national income. Large international trade leads to revival of domestic economy.

Major Exports

The agricultural and allied products—2.53% 

ores and minerals—9.12% 

gems and jewellery—26.75 

chemical and allied products—24.45% 

engineering goods—35.63% 

petroleum products—86.12%

Major Imports 

petroleum and petroleum products—41.87% 

pearls and precious stones—29.26% 

inorganic chemicals—29.39%

coal, coke and briquttes—94.17% 

machinery—12.56% 

Bulk imports-include fertilisers—67%

cereals— 25.23%

edible oils—7.94% and

news print— 5.51

India has trade relations with all the major trading blocks and all geographical regions of the world.

Quiz Drive

1. Northern terminal of the North-south corridor.

2. The name of National Highway No. 1.

3. The headquarter of the southern railway zone.

4. The rail gauge with a track width of 1.676 m.

5. The southern terminal of the National Highway No. 7.

6. A Riverine Port.

7. Busiest railway junction in Northern India.

Activity

Start your search vertically, horizontally or diagonally and reach various destinations across the countries!

Answer

1. SRINAGAR

2. SHER SHAH SURI MARG

3. CHENNAI

4. BROAD GAUGE

5. KANYAKUMARI

6. KOLKATA

7. MUGHAL SARAI