Lifelines of National Economy

Class 10 Geography • Chapter 07

1. Transport

Movement of goods and services from supply locations to demand locations.
Traders: People who facilitate this movement.
Life-lines: Transport and Communication are prerequisites for development.

A. Roadways

Largest network in the world (56 lakh km). Advantages over Railways:

• Lower construction cost.
• Traverses dissected topography (hills/slopes).
• Door-to-door service (low cost of loading/unloading).
• Feeder to others (links railway stations, ports).

Density of Roads: Length of road per 100 sq. km of area. (Highest in Kerala, Lowest in J&K).

B. Railways

Principal mode for freight and passengers.
First Train: Mumbai to Thane (1853, 34 km).
Problems: Ticketless travel, theft, stopping trains unnecessarily.

C. Pipelines

New in map of India. Used for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas from oil fields to refineries (Mathura, Panipat) and fertilizer factories.
Initial cost: High. Running cost: Minimal.
Networks: 1. Assam to Kanpur (via Guwahati/Barauni). 2. Salaya (Gujarat) to Jalandhar (Punjab). 3. HVJ Pipeline (Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur).

D. Waterways

Cheapest. Fuel efficient. Eco-friendly.
National Waterways (N.W.):

• N.W. No.1: Ganga (Allahabad to Haldia).
• N.W. No.2: Brahmaputra (Sadiya to Dhubri).
• N.W. No.3: West Coast Canal (Kerala).

Major Sea Ports (12 Major, 200 Minor):

• Kandla (Deendayal Port): Tidal port. Gujarat. Relieves pressure on Mumbai.
• Mumbai: Biggest natural harbour.
• Mormugao (Goa): Premier iron ore exporting port.
• New Mangalore: Exports kudremukh iron ore.
• Kochi: Lagoon harbour.
• Tuticorin: Natural harbour in South-East.
• Chennai: Oldest artificial port.
• Visakhapatnam: Deepest landlocked port.
• Paradip (Odisha): Iron ore.
• Kolkata: Inland riverine port.
• Haldia: Subsidiary to Kolkata.

E. Airways

Fastest, most comfortable, prestigious. Can cover difficult terrains (mountains/deserts/forests/oceans).
Significance for North-East: Big rivers, dissected relief, dense forests, flood prone. Air travel made access easier.
Pawan Hans Helicopters: Services to AAI and ONGC.

2. Communication

• Personal vs Mass: Post, telegraph, telephone vs Radio, TV, Press, Films.
• Indian Postal Network: Largest in world.
  • First Class Mail: Postcards/envelopes (Airlifted).
  • Second Class Mail: Book packets/newspapers (Surface mail).
• Telecom: India has one of the largest telecom networks. STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialling).

3. International Trade

Exchange of goods among people, states and countries.
Balance of Trade: Difference between export and import.

• Favourable: Exports > Imports.
• Unfavourable: Imports > Exports.

Major Exports: Gems, Jewellery, Chemicals, Agriculture.
Major Imports: Petroleum, precious stones, machinery.

4. Tourism as a Trade

Foreign tourists arrival growing.

• Benefits: Promotes national integration, supports local handicrafts, cultural pursuits.
• Types: Heritage, Eco, Adventure, Cultural, Medical and Business tourism.