CBSE Class 10 Social Science Lifelines of National Economy Notes Set 05

Why transport and communication are lifelines

Transport and communication link far-flung areas, help trade and commerce, support farming and industry, make relief in calamities possible and promote national unity. Trade between countries is international trade, and its balance (exports minus imports) shows a country's position.

Roadways

India has one of the largest road networks in the world. Roads are classified into Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways, National Highways, State Highways, district roads, other roads and border roads. The Golden Quadrilateral links Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai with six-lane highways. The North-South Corridor links Srinagar to Kanyakumari and the East-West Corridor links Silchar to Porbandar. Road density means the length of road per 100 sq. km of area.

Problems: the network is inadequate for traffic, about half the roads are unmetalled, highways are poorly maintained, cities are congested and many bridges and culverts are old and narrow.

Railways

Railways carry most freight and passengers over long distances. Gauges are broad (about 1.67 m), metre (1 m) and narrow (below 1 m). Problems include heavy investment and costly upkeep, difficult construction in hills and deserts, ticketless travel, theft and damage of property, chain pulling, track slipping in rain and the need for gauge conversion and electrification.

Pipelines, waterways and ports

Pipelines carry crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas, and now water too. Important lines run from Upper Assam to Kanpur, from Gujarat to Jalandhar and from Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur. Waterways are the cheapest means of transport and suit heavy goods without causing air pollution. National Waterway 1 is the Ganga between Prayagraj and Haldia, No. 2 is the Brahmaputra between Sadiya and Dhubri, and No. 3 is the West Coast Canal in Kerala. Major ports include Kandla, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Marmagao, New Mangalore, Kochi, Tuticorin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata with Haldia.

Airways and communication

Air travel is fastest and the only practical means in places such as the North-East, with its mountains, dense forests, large rivers, floods and international borders. Communication includes personal means (post, phone, internet) and mass communication (radio, television, newspapers, cinema).

Trade and tourism

1. Exchange of goods between countries is called trade. When goods are sent to another country for sale it is an export, and when goods come from other countries they are imports.

2. Balance of trade is the difference between exports and imports. It is favourable when exports exceed imports and unfavourable when imports are greater.

3. Advances in transport and communication have made trade easier, and a country's international trade is an index of its economic health.

4. Tourism is a trade that gives employment, earns foreign exchange and promotes national integration and cultural understanding, so it supports local crafts and local economies.

Worked examples

Example 1. Why is air travel preferred in the North-East? Rugged terrain, dense forests, big rivers, frequent floods and international frontiers make other transport difficult.

Example 2. State three advantages of waterways. They are the cheapest means, can carry heavy and bulky goods and do not pollute the air.

Example 3. Why are transport and communication called lifelines? They connect distant areas, aid trade, help agriculture and industry, help in disasters and promote unity.

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