Lifelines of National Economy – Very Short Answer Type Questions
CBSE Class 10 Social Science – Very Short Answer Questions
Subject: Geography – Contemporary India – II
Chapter 7: Lifelines of National Economy
Topics: Roadways | Railways | Pipelines | Waterways | Major Seaports | Airways | Communication | International Trade | Tourism as a Trade
CBSE Board Examinations
NCERT Based
Very Short Answer Type (VSA)
Quick Revision
These questions are structured topic-wise and follow the NCERT Class 10 Geography syllabus, making them useful for CBSE Board Exam preparation and last-minute revision.
Note: These Very Short Answer Type Questions with Answers are designed strictly as per the NCERT syllabus for Class 10 Geography, Chapter 7 – “Lifelines of National Economy”, and are ideal for CBSE Class 10 Board Examination standard.
1. Roadways
Roadways are the most commonly used means of transport in India. They connect remote villages to towns and cities and play a vital role in the movement of goods and people.
Q1. Very Short Answer
Why are roadways more suitable for short and medium distances in India?
Answer:
Because road transport is cheaper, offers door-to-door service, and can easily reach remote and hilly areas over short and medium distances.
Q2. Very Short Answer
What is the full form of NH in road transport?
Answer:
NH stands for National Highway.
Q3. Very Short Answer
Name the longest National Highway of India mentioned in your syllabus.
Answer:
National Highway No. 1 (old numbering, Delhi–Amritsar–Jammu–Srinagar) was earlier one of the important long highways mentioned in NCERT.
Q4. Very Short Answer
Which authority is responsible for the construction and maintenance of National Highways?
Answer:
The Central Government through agencies like the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Q5. Very Short Answer
What are Border Roads?
Answer:
Roads constructed along India’s international borders and in strategic areas, mainly for defence and development purposes.
Q6. Very Short Answer
Name the organisation that constructs and maintains Border Roads in India.
Answer:
Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Q7. Very Short Answer
What is the main drawback of road transport in India?
Answer:
Many roads are narrow, congested, and poorly maintained, which slows down transport and increases accidents.
2. Railways
Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India and are an integrating force for the vast and diverse country.
Q8. Very Short Answer
Why are railways important for the economy of India?
Answer:
Railways transport bulk goods and large numbers of people over long distances, helping trade, industry, and national integration.
Q9. Very Short Answer
Name one physical factor that affects the railway network in India.
Answer:
Rugged terrain and high mountains, especially in the Himalayan region, make railway construction difficult and costly.
Q10. Very Short Answer
Which region has a dense railway network in India?
Answer:
The northern plains, because they are level, densely populated, and rich in agricultural and industrial activities.
Q11. Very Short Answer
Why is the Konkan Railway important?
Answer:
It connects Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka along the western coast, improving accessibility in a difficult hilly region.
Q12. Very Short Answer
State one problem faced by railways in India.
Answer:
Overcrowding, outdated infrastructure, and frequent delays due to overuse and maintenance issues are common problems.
Q13. Very Short Answer
What are the three main gauges of the Indian Railways?
Answer:
Broad gauge, metre gauge, and narrow gauge.
Q14. Very Short Answer
Why is railway transport more suitable for long-distance travel?
Answer:
Because it can carry large numbers of passengers and heavy goods at a relatively low cost over long distances.
3. Pipelines
Pipelines are used to transport crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas over long distances safely and efficiently.
Q15. Very Short Answer
What products are mainly transported through pipelines in India?
Answer:
Crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas.
Q16. Very Short Answer
Mention one advantage of pipeline transport.
Answer:
It is economical for transporting liquids and gases over long distances and reduces road and rail congestion.
Q17. Very Short Answer
Name any one important pipeline system of India.
Answer:
The Hajira–Vijaipur–Jagdishpur (HVJ) gas pipeline.
Q18. Very Short Answer
Why is pipeline transport considered safe?
Answer:
Because it has very low chances of accidents and spillage compared to road or rail tankers.
Q19. Very Short Answer
How do pipelines help in the conservation of fuel?
Answer:
Pipelines reduce the need for trucks and railway wagons, saving diesel and other fuels used in surface transport.
Q20. Very Short Answer
Which port is connected to Mathura refinery by pipelines?
Answer:
The pipeline connects the Mathura refinery to the oil terminals at coastal ports like Mumbai and others through network links (as mentioned in NCERT examples).
Q21. Very Short Answer
Give one limitation of pipeline transport.
Answer:
High initial construction cost and difficulty in repairing leakages are major limitations.
4. Waterways (Inland & Coastal)
Waterways are the cheapest means of transport for carrying heavy and bulky goods over long distances, especially through rivers, canals, and coastal routes.
Q22. Very Short Answer
Why are waterways considered the cheapest means of transport?
Answer:
Because they use natural routes, require less maintenance, and can carry heavy and bulky goods at low cost.
Q23. Very Short Answer
What is meant by inland waterways?
Answer:
Transport of goods and passengers through rivers, canals, and lakes within a country is called inland water transport.
Q24. Very Short Answer
Name any one National Waterway of India.
Answer:
National Waterway No. 1 on the Ganga river between Allahabad and Haldia.
Q25. Very Short Answer
Which authority manages inland waterways in India?
Answer:
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
Q26. Very Short Answer
Give one limitation of inland waterways in India.
Answer:
Many rivers are shallow, seasonal, and silted, which makes navigation difficult throughout the year.
Q27. Very Short Answer
What are coastal waterways?
Answer:
Transport of goods and passengers along the coastline between ports of the same country is called coastal water transport.
Q28. Very Short Answer
Name one advantage of coastal shipping in India.
Answer:
It helps in transporting bulky goods like coal, iron ore, and cement between coastal ports at a low cost.
5. Major Seaports
Seaports are gateways of international trade. India has a long coastline with several major and minor ports that handle export and import of goods.
Q29. Very Short Answer
Why are seaports called the “gateways of international trade”?
Answer:
Because most of India’s foreign trade in goods is carried out through seaports by ships.
Q30. Very Short Answer
Name the largest port on the eastern coast of India.
Answer:
The Visakhapatnam Port is one of the largest ports on the eastern coast of India.
Q31. Very Short Answer
Which port is known as the “Jawaharlal Nehru Port”?
Answer:
Nhava Sheva port near Mumbai is known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
Q32. Very Short Answer
Name the oldest artificial seaport of India.
Answer:
The Chennai Port is the oldest artificial seaport of India.
Q33. Very Short Answer
Which port was developed to reduce the pressure on Kolkata Port?
Answer:
Haldia Port was developed to reduce congestion at the Kolkata Port.
Q34. Very Short Answer
Name the major port which is located at the entrance of a lagoon in Kerala.
Answer:
Kochi Port is located at the entrance of a lagoon on the Malabar Coast in Kerala.
Q35. Very Short Answer
Why are Kandla and Mumbai ports important for India?
Answer:
They serve the western and north-western regions and handle large volumes of import and export, especially petroleum and industrial goods.
6. Airways
Airways provide the fastest mode of transport and connect difficult terrains like mountains, deserts, and remote islands.
Q36. Very Short Answer
Why is air transport considered the fastest mode of transport?
Answer:
Because it has very high speed and covers long distances in a short time compared to all other modes.
Q37. Very Short Answer
Name one region of India where air transport is particularly useful.
Answer:
The north-eastern states and the Himalayan region, where dense forests and mountains make land transport difficult.
Q38. Very Short Answer
What is the full form of Pawan Hans?
Answer:
Pawan Hans is a government-owned helicopter service company, mainly providing connectivity to hilly and remote areas.
Q39. Very Short Answer
Give one disadvantage of air transport.
Answer:
It is costlier than other means, so it is not affordable for all sections of society and for low-value goods.
Q40. Very Short Answer
Name the organisation that provides air traffic services in India.
Answer:
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages air traffic and airport infrastructure in India.
Q41. Very Short Answer
How does air transport help in the time of natural disasters?
Answer:
It quickly carries relief materials, rescue teams, and affected people to and from disaster-hit areas.
Q42. Very Short Answer
Why is air transport important for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
Answer:
Because the islands are far from the mainland, and airways provide fast connectivity for people and essential goods.
7. Communication
Communication systems like newspapers, radio, television, telephones, and the internet help in the exchange of information and ideas and link different parts of the country.
Q43. Very Short Answer
What is communication?
Answer:
Communication is the process of conveying messages, ideas, and information from one person or place to another.
Q44. Very Short Answer
What is meant by mass communication?
Answer:
When information is communicated to a large number of people at the same time through media like TV, radio, and newspapers, it is called mass communication.
Q45. Very Short Answer
Give two examples of mass communication.
Answer:
Television and newspapers are two important means of mass communication.
Q46. Very Short Answer
Name the public sector company that provides postal services in India.
Answer:
The Department of Posts, commonly called India Post.
Q47. Very Short Answer
How has the internet improved communication?
Answer:
It allows instant sharing of messages, audio, video, and data across the world at low cost.
Q48. Very Short Answer
Why is communication called a “lifeline” of the economy?
Answer:
Because it helps in the quick exchange of information needed for trade, administration, education, and all economic activities.
Q49. Very Short Answer
What is the role of Doordarshan in India?
Answer:
Doordarshan is the national television channel that telecasts educational, cultural, and informative programmes across the country.
8. International Trade & Tourism as a Trade
International trade and tourism are important sources of income and employment. They link India with the rest of the world and earn valuable foreign exchange.
Q50. Very Short Answer
What is meant by international trade?
Answer:
Trade of goods and services between two or more countries is called international trade.
Q51. Very Short Answer
What are exports?
Answer:
When a country sells its goods and services to other countries, it is called export trade.
Q52. Very Short Answer
What are imports?
Answer:
When a country buys goods and services from other countries, it is called import trade.
Q53. Very Short Answer
Why is international trade considered the “barometer” of a country’s economic prosperity?
Answer:
Because the volume and value of a country’s imports and exports reflect its economic strength and development.
Q54. Very Short Answer
What is tourism?
Answer:
Tourism is the activity of people travelling to places outside their usual environment for leisure, business, or other purposes.
Q55. Very Short Answer
How does tourism help in earning foreign exchange?
Answer:
Foreign tourists spend money on hotels, transport, shopping, and services, which brings foreign currency into the country.
Q56. Very Short Answer
Give any two benefits of tourism as a trade.
Answer:
It generates employment in hotels, transport, and handicrafts and promotes cultural exchange and national integration.