Rail Transport
The Indian Railways network is one of the longest in the world. It facilitates the movement of both freight and passengers and contributes to the growth of the economy. Mahatma Gandhi said, the Indian railways “...brought people of diverse cultures together to contribute to India’s freedom struggle”. The Indian Railway was introduced in 1853, when a line was constructed from Bombay to Thane, covering a distance of 34 km. Indian Railways is the largest government undertaking in the country. The length of the Indian Railways network was 67,956 km (Railway yearbook 2019-20). Its very large size puts a lot of pressure on a centralised railway management system. Thus, in India, the railway system has been divided into 17 zones. Indian Railways has launched an extensive programme to convert the metre and narrow gauges to broad gauge. Moreover, steam engines have been replaced by diesel and electric engines. This step has increased the speed, as well as the haulage capacity. The replacement of steam engines run by coal has also improved the environment of the stations. Metro rail has revolutionised the urban transport system in India. Replacement of diesel buses by CNG-run vehicles along with the introduction of the metro is a welcome step towards controlling the air pollution in urban centres. Areas around towns, raw material producing areas and plantations and other commercial crops, hill stations and cantonment towns were well-connected by railways from the British colonial era. These were mostly developed for the exploitation of resources. After the Independence of the country, railway routes have been extended to other areas too. The most significant development has been the development of the Konkan Railway along the western coast, providing a direct link between Mumbai and Mangaluru. The railway continues to remain the main means of transport for the masses. The railway network is relatively less dense in the hill states, north eastern states, central parts of India and Rajasthan.
Which of the following regions has dense railway network?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Ganga plains
The railway network is relatively less dense in the hill states, north-eastern states, central parts of India and Rajasthan.
Option (1) Hilly states — Incorrect. Hill states are part of the less dense railway network; steep and broken land makes railway building hard.
Option (2) North Eastern States — Incorrect. The north-eastern states are also part of the area of less dense railway network.
Option (3) Eastern Rajasthan — Incorrect. Rajasthan is part of the area with a less dense network.
Option (4) Ganga plains — Correct. The Ganga plains are flat and densely populated, which suits railway building, so they do not belong with the hill, north-eastern and desert areas of less dense network.
Note: NCERT (2025-26) names only the areas where the railway network is less dense; it does not name the Ganga plains as an area of dense network. The answer follows because the other three options are all in the less dense list, as per the NTA answer key.
NCERT (2025-26): “Rail Transport … After the Independence of the country, railway routes have been extended to other areas too. The most significant development has been the development of Konkan Railway along the western coast providing a direct link between Mumbai and Mangaluru. Railway continues to remain the main means of transport for the masses. Railway network is relatively less dense in the hill states, north eastern states, central parts of India and Rajasthan.…” |