Class 12 Geography Notes Chapter 8 (Transport and communication) – Fundamentals of Indian Geography Book

Alright class, let's delve into Chapter 8: Transport and Communication from your 'Fundamentals of Indian Geography' textbook. This chapter is crucial not just for your board exams but also forms a significant part of the syllabus for various government exams. Pay close attention to the details, classifications, and specific examples.

Chapter 8: Transport and Communication - Detailed Notes

Introduction:
Transport and communication networks are often called the "lifelines of a nation and its economy." They are prerequisites for economic development, social integration, and national security. India, with its vast size, diverse terrain, and large population, relies heavily on a well-developed network.

Modes of Transport in India:

India has a diverse range of transport modes catering to different needs:

1. Land Transport:

• a) Road Transport:

  • Significance: Crucial for short to medium distances, provides door-to-door service, acts as a feeder to other modes (railways, ports, airports), vital for rural connectivity. India has one of the largest road networks in the world.
  • Classification of Roads:
    • National Highways (NH): Main arterial roads connecting state capitals, major cities, ports, and strategic locations. Maintained by the Central Government through the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Constitute only about 2% of the total road length but carry about 40% of the road traffic.
    • State Highways (SH): Link state capitals with district headquarters and other important towns within the state. Constructed and maintained by State Public Works Departments (PWD).
    • District Roads: Connect district headquarters with other places within the district. Maintained by Zila Parishad.
    • Rural Roads: Link villages and clusters of villages with towns. Vital for rural development. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations.
    • Other Roads: Include Border Roads and International Highways.
  • Key Developments:
    • NHAI (National Highways Authority of India): Autonomous body established in 1995, responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of National Highways.
    • Golden Quadrilateral (GQ): A major highway network connecting India's four largest metropolitan cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata (approx. 5,846 km). Aims to reduce time and distance.
    • North-South and East-West Corridors (NS-EW):
      • North-South: Srinagar (J&K) to Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) (approx. 4,000 km).
      • East-West: Silchar (Assam) to Porbandar (Gujarat) (approx. 3,300 km).
      • These two corridors intersect at Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh).
    • Border Roads Organisation (BRO): Established in 1960. Constructs and maintains roads in strategically important northern and northeastern border areas. Crucial for defence preparedness and economic development of border regions.
  • Challenges: Road quality varies significantly, traffic congestion, inadequate safety measures, land acquisition issues.

• b) Rail Transport:

  • Significance: Principal mode for long-distance freight and passenger traffic. Promotes national integration, facilitates business, tourism, and pilgrimage. Indian Railways is one of the largest rail networks globally under single management.
  • History: First train ran between Bombay (Mumbai) and Thane in 1853.
  • Network Distribution: Highly dense in the northern plains, less dense in hilly terrains, deserts, and northeastern states due to topography and economic factors.
  • Railway Zones: Indian Railways is divided into multiple zones (currently 18 zones, including Kolkata Metro) for administrative efficiency.
  • Gauge Types:
    • Broad Gauge: (1.676 metres) - Majority of the network, standard gauge being adopted.
    • Metre Gauge: (1.000 metre) - Being converted to Broad Gauge under Project Unigauge.
    • Narrow Gauge: (0.762 m & 0.610 m) - Mostly confined to hilly areas (e.g., Kalka-Shimla, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway).
  • Key Developments:
    • Konkan Railway: A 760 km marvel of engineering along the western coast (Roha in Maharashtra to Mangaluru in Karnataka), overcoming challenging terrain with numerous tunnels and bridges.
    • Modernisation efforts: Electrification, track renewal, high-speed trains (Vande Bharat), dedicated freight corridors.
  • Challenges: Overburdened network, safety concerns, punctuality issues, need for infrastructure upgradation.

• c) Pipelines:

  • Significance: Efficient mode for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas. Also used for transporting solids in slurry form. Reduces trans-shipment losses and delays. Can be laid through difficult terrain and underwater. Initial cost is high, but running costs are minimal.
  • Key Networks:
    • Oil India Limited (OIL): From oil fields in Upper Assam to Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), via Guwahati, Barauni & Allahabad. Has branches.
    • Salaya (Gujarat) to Mathura (UP) via Viramgam. Also connects Koyali (Gujarat).
    • Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur (HVJ) Pipeline: (Approx 1,700 km) Gas pipeline connecting Hazira (Gujarat) to Vijaipur (MP) and Jagdishpur (UP). Has branches to Kota, Shahjahanpur, Babrala etc. Supplies gas to fertilizer plants and power industries.
    • Numaligarh (Assam) to Siliguri (West Bengal) - Petroleum products.

2. Water Transport:

• Significance: Oldest and cheapest mode for heavy and bulky goods. Fuel-efficient and environment-friendly. Less infrastructure cost compared to rail/road.
• Types:
  • a) Inland Waterways:
    • Potential: India has about 14,500 km of navigable waterways, including rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks. However, only a small portion is currently utilized.
    • Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): Established in 1986 for development and regulation.
    • Major National Waterways (NWs):
      • NW-1: Allahabad (Prayagraj) - Haldia stretch of the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system (1620 km).
      • NW-2: Sadiya - Dhubri stretch of the Brahmaputra river (891 km).
      • NW-3: West Coast Canal in Kerala (Kottapuram - Kollam) along with Udyogamandal and Champakara canals (205 km).
      • NW-4: Specified stretches of Godavari and Krishna rivers along with Kakinada Puducherry canal system (1078 km).
      • NW-5: Specified stretches of Brahmani and Mahanadi delta river systems along with East Coast Canal (588 km).
    • Challenges: Seasonal variations in water flow, siltation, lack of navigational infrastructure, competition from other modes.
  • b) Oceanic/Sea Transport:
    • Significance: India has a long coastline (approx. 7,517 km). Crucial for foreign trade (handles about 95% by volume and 70% by value). Connects India with the world.
    • Ports: Gateways of international trade.
      • Major Ports: 12 major ports managed by the Central Government.
        • West Coast: Kandla (Deendayal Port - Tidal port, caters to NW India), Mumbai (Biggest, natural harbour, congested), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT - Nhava Sheva, modern, relieves Mumbai), Marmagao (Goa - Iron ore export), New Mangalore (Karnataka - Iron ore, fertilizers), Kochi (Kerala - Natural harbour, spice export).
        • East Coast: Tuticorin (V.O. Chidambaranar Port - Tamil Nadu, natural harbour), Chennai (Oldest artificial port), Ennore (Kamarajar Port - North of Chennai, corporate port), Visakhapatnam (Deepest landlocked port), Paradip (Odisha - Iron ore export), Haldia & Kolkata (West Bengal - Riverine ports on Hooghly, require dredging, serve vast hinterland).
      • Minor Ports: Numerous (around 200) minor and intermediate ports managed by State Governments.

3. Air Transport:

• Significance: Fastest mode, connects remote, inaccessible, and hostile terrains (mountains, deserts, forests). Crucial during natural calamities and emergencies. Carries high-value, perishable goods. Enhances national security and international connectivity.
• Management: Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages most airports. Air India (now privatized) was the national carrier; several private airlines operate domestic and international routes.
• Key Airports: Delhi (IGI), Mumbai (CSMIA), Bengaluru (Kempegowda), Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi), Chennai, Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose) are major hubs.
• Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd.: Provides helicopter services mainly to the petroleum sector (ONGC offshore operations) and inaccessible areas/states like the North-East, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and islands. Also used for tourism.
• Challenges: High cost, limited carrying capacity, weather dependency, need for airport infrastructure expansion.

Communication:

Communication involves conveying messages/information. Networks have expanded rapidly.

• 1. Personal Communication System: Between individuals.

  • Postal Network: Indian postal network is the largest in the world. Provides mail services (parcels, letters), financial services (savings accounts, money orders - now less common due to digital alternatives). Cards and envelopes classified into First-class mail (airlifted) and Second-class mail (surface mail). Introduction of quick mail services like Speed Post.
  • Telecommunication: India has one of the fastest-growing telecom networks.
    • Telephones: Revolutionized by mobile phones. High density, especially in urban areas. Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) facilities widespread.
    • Mobile Phones & Internet: Massive penetration, driving digital connectivity, e-commerce, and information access. BharatNet project aims to connect all Gram Panchayats with broadband.

• 2. Mass Communication System: Communicating with large audiences simultaneously.

  • Radio: All India Radio (AIR - Akashvani) broadcasts programmes in national, regional, and local languages for information, education, and entertainment. Wide reach, especially in rural areas.
  • Television: Doordarshan (DD) is the national broadcaster. Numerous private channels cater to diverse interests. Powerful audio-visual medium.
  • Print Media: Newspapers (published in about 100 languages/dialects), periodicals, magazines, books. Largest number of newspapers published in Hindi, followed by English and Urdu. Significant role in disseminating information and shaping public opinion.
  • Films: India is the largest producer of feature films globally. Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certifies films.
  • Satellite Communication: Satellites provide continuous communication over large areas, independent of terrain. Used for telecommunication, television broadcasting, weather forecasting, disaster warning, resource monitoring.
    • INSAT (Indian National Satellite System): Multi-purpose system for telecommunication, meteorological observations, and TV broadcasting.
    • IRS (Indian Remote Sensing Satellite System): Used for collecting data about Earth's surface properties (resource mapping, environmental monitoring, disaster management).

Conclusion:
Transport and communication are fundamental to India's socio-economic fabric. Continuous development, modernization, and integration of these networks are essential for achieving higher economic growth, better regional connectivity, national unity, and improved quality of life for citizens.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Which organization is primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways in India?
   (a) Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
   (b) State Public Works Department (PWD)
   (c) National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
   (d) Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

2. The Golden Quadrilateral highway network connects which four major Indian cities?
   (a) Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata
   (b) Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata
   (c) Srinagar, Kanyakumari, Porbandar, Silchar
   (d) Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Visakhapatnam

3. Konkan Railway, known for its engineering challenges, connects:
   (a) Mumbai to Goa
   (b) Roha (Maharashtra) to Mangaluru (Karnataka)
   (c) Kanyakumari to Jammu
   (d) Kolkata to Haldia

4. Which of the following is India's oldest artificial sea port located on the East Coast?
   (a) Visakhapatnam
   (b) Paradip
   (c) Tuticorin
   (d) Chennai

5. National Waterway No. 1 (NW-1) is located on which river system?
   (a) Brahmaputra River
   (b) Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River
   (c) Godavari-Krishna River
   (d) West Coast Canal (Kerala)

6. The Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur (HVJ) pipeline is primarily known for transporting:
   (a) Crude Oil
   (b) Petroleum Products
   (c) Natural Gas
   (d) Iron ore slurry

7. Which organization specifically focuses on building and maintaining roads in the border areas of India?
   (a) NHAI
   (b) State PWD
   (c) CPWD
   (d) Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

8. Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd. provides essential services mainly to which sector and region?
   (a) Urban transport in metropolitan cities
   (b) Tourism in Rajasthan
   (c) Petroleum sector (offshore) and North-Eastern states
   (d) Cargo transport between major airports

9. Which Indian satellite system is primarily used for resource monitoring and management (remote sensing)?
   (a) INSAT
   (b) IRS
   (c) GSAT
   (d) CARTOSAT (Note: CARTOSAT is part of IRS program, but IRS is the broader system name in the textbook context)

10. Which of the following is NOT primarily considered a form of Mass Communication?
    (a) Radio (AIR)
    (b) Television (Doordarshan)
    (c) Newspapers
    (d) Telephone calls

Answers to MCQs:

1. (c) National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
2. (b) Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata
3. (b) Roha (Maharashtra) to Mangaluru (Karnataka)
4. (d) Chennai
5. (b) Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River
6. (c) Natural Gas
7. (d) Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
8. (c) Petroleum sector (offshore) and North-Eastern states
9. (b) IRS
10. (d) Telephone calls (This is personal communication)

Make sure you revise these notes thoroughly. Understanding the network, key organizations, and specific projects is vital for answering questions effectively in your exams. Good luck!