Which of the following is mainly responsible for the regional variation in the density of rural road in India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Nature of terrain
Option (1) Nature of terrain — Correct. Rural roads make up about 80 per cent of India’s road length and link the villages. Their density differs from region to region because they are influenced by the nature of the terrain. On level plains a road is cheap and quick to build, so many villages get linked and the network is dense. Across hills, forests, deserts and rivers every kilometre needs cuttings, bridges and more money, so fewer roads get built and the density stays low.
Option (2) Population explosion in rural India — Incorrect. Population growth affected the whole country, so it cannot explain why one region has more roads than another.
Option (3) Soil fertility variations — Incorrect. Fertility matters for crops; the cost of a road depends on slope, rivers and forests, not on the soil.
Option (4) Migration to urban centres — Incorrect. Migration adds to city roads; it does not decide how dense the rural roads are.
NCERT (2025-26): “Rural Roads … These roads are vital for providing links in the rural areas. About 80 per cent of the total road length in India are categorised as rural roads. There is regional variation in the density of rural road because these are influenced by the nature of the terrain.” |