Students should read Chapter 7 Life Lines of National Economy Class 10 Social Science Notes provided below. These notes have been prepared based on the latest syllabus and books issued by NCERT, CBSE and KVS. These important revision notes will be really useful for students to understand the important topics given in the chapter Life Lines of National Economy in Class 10 Social Science. We have provided class 10 Social Science notes for all chapters.

Revision Notes Chapter 7 Life Lines of National Economy Class 10 Social Science

Chapter 7 Life Lines of National Economy is an important chapter in Class 10 Social Science. The following notes will help you to understand and easily learn all important points to help you score more marks.

I. Roadways :

India has one of the largest road networks in the world. Its importance can be viewed.
(i) Construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines
(ii) Roads can traverse comparatively more dissected and undulating topography.
(iii) Roads can negotiate higher gradients of slopes and as such can traverse mountains such as the Himalayas.
(iv) It is economical in transportation of few persons and relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances.
(v) It provides door to door services.
(vi) It is used as feeder to other modes of transport such as they provide a link between railway stations, air and sea ports.

Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways :

• The Govt. has launched a major road development project linking Delhi-Kolkata- Chennai-Mumbai and Delhi by six-lane super highways.
• The North-South corridors linking Srinagar [Jammu & Kashmir] &Kanyakumari [T.N.] & East-West Corridor Connecting silcher (Assam) &Porbander (Gujarat).
• The major objective of these super highways is to reduce time and distance.

These highway projects are being implemented by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

• National Highways: National Highways link extreme parts of the country and are laid and maintained by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).
• State Highways: State Highways link a state capital with different district headquarters and are constructed and maintained by the State Public Works Department (PWD) in State and Union Territories.
• District Roads: These roads connect the district headquarters with other places of the district and are maintained by the Zila Parishad.
• Other Roads:Rural roads, which link rural areas and villages with towns. These roads received special impetus under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana.
• Border Roads :Border Roads Organisation a Government of India undertaking constructs and maintains roads in the bordering areas of the country.

II. Road Density

• The length of road per 100 sq. km of area is known as density of roads.
• Density of all roads varies from only 10 km in Jammu & Kashmir to 375 km in Kerala with the national average of 75 km (1996-97).

III. Railways :

• The distribution pattern of the railway network in the country has been largely influence by physiographic, economic and administrative factors.
• The Himalyan mountains regions are unfavorable for the construction of railway lines due to high relief, sparse population & each of economic opportunities.
• The northern plains having high population density, provide most favourable condition for their growth
• Rivers requiring construction of bridges across their wide beds posed some obstacles for the construction of railway lines.

IV. Pipelines :

• Pipelines transport network is a new arrival on the transportation map of India.
• Its initial cost is high but subsequent running costs are minimal.
• It is used for transporting crude oil, petroleum products & natural gas.
• It rules out trans-shipment losses and delays

Important Networks

1. Oil field in Assam to Kanpur (U.P.), via Guwahati, Barauni& Allahabad.
2. From Salaya in Gujarat to Jalandhar. In Punjab via Viramgam, Mathura, Delhi & Sonipat.
3. Gas pipelines from Hazira in Gujarat connects Jagdishpur in UP via Vijaypur in Madhya Pradesh.

V. Waterways Waterways are the cheapest means of transport.

• They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods.
• It is a fuel-efficient and environment friendly mode of transport.

VI. Major Sea Ports

• With a long coastline of 7,516.6 km, India is dotted with 12 major and 181 medium and minor ports. Kandla in Kuchchh was the first port developed soon after Independence.
• Kandla is a tidal port. It caters to the convenient handling of exports and imports of highly productive granary and industrial belt Mumbai is the biggest port with a spacious natural and well-sheltered harbour.
• Marmagao port (Goa) is the premier iron ore exporting port of the country.New Mangalore port, located in Karnataka caters to the export of iron ore concentrates from Kudremukh mines. Kochi is the extreme south-western port, located at the entrance of a lagoon with a natural harbour.

VII. Air Ways:

• It can cover very difficult terrains like high mountains, dreary deserts, dense forests and also long oceanic stretches with great ease.
• The air transport was nationalised in 1953.
• Air India provides international air services.
• Pawanhans Helicopters Ltd. provides helicopter services to Oil and Natural Gas Commission in its off- shore operations, to inaccessible areas and difficult terrains like the north-eastern states and the interior parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal.

VIII. Communication:

• Personal communication and mass communication including television, radio, press, films, etc. are the major means of communication in the country.
• The Indian postal network is the largest in the world.Cards and envelopes are considered first–class mail.
• The second–class mail includes book packets, registered newspapers and periodicals.
• To facilitate quick delivery of mails in large towns and cities, six mail channels have been introduced recently.
• They are called Rajdhani Channel, Metro Channel, Green Channel, Business Channel, Bulk Mail Channel and Periodical Channel. India has one of the largest telecom networks in Asia.

IX. International Trade :

• The exchange of goods among people, states & countries is referred to as trade. Trade between two countries is called International Trade.
• Exports and imports are the components of trade. The balance of a trade of a country is the difference between its export and import.
• When the value of exports exceeds the value of imports, it is called favourable balance of trades.

X. Tourism as a Trade :

• Tourism has proved itself as one of the most important aspect of trade.
• Tourism in India has grown substantially.
• It helps as promotion of National Integration.
• Provide support to local handicrafts.
• Provides support to cultural pursuits.
• Development of international understanding about our culture and heritage.

SUMMARY OF THE CHAPTER

1. Life line of a country: Modern means of communication and transport which brings people together and help in local National and international trade.

2. Means of Transportation: Means of transportation of which make possible the movement of goods services and human/animal from one place to another place.

3. Means of communication: Method through which information, news, dialogue etc, communicated from one place and to another place and one person to another are called means of communication.

4. Golden Quadrilateral: The six lane super Highways which brings implemented by National Highway Authority of India and connects Delhi Mumbai Kolkata and Chennai.

5. National Highway 4 to 6 Lane highway which can connect on link extreme part of the countries and maintain by Central Public Work Department.

6. Boder Roads: Border Roads Organization a Government of India undertaking constructs and maintains roads in the bordering areas of the country

7. Rail Transport: A major means of transport in India. The Indian Railways is now reorganized in 16 zones.

8. Gauge or track: It is the distance between the two tracks of rail.

9. Port: The manmade place or facility near the sea coast where ships, boats and barges can be docked to load unload people, things etc. Fuel and other needs can also be taken here. A Port is different than a harbour.

10. Tidal port: A port in which the water level within the port is subject to change with the ocean tides. These ports are found in coastal region.

11. Trade: Exchange of goods and services among different peoples, states and countries referred to as trade.

12. International Trade The balance of trade of a country is the difference between it’s export and import.

13. Balance of Trade: The balance of trade of a country is the difference between its export and import.

14. New forms of Tourism: Heritage tourism, ecotourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, medical tourism and business tourism.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Question. Narrow Gauge railway line is found in
(a) the Northern Plains
(b) the hilly areas of Darjeeling, Shillong and Ooty
(c) deserts of Rajasthan
(d) the Central Highlands
Answer : (b) the hilly areas of Darjeeling, Shillong and Ooty

Question. Which one of the following is not the means of mass communication?
(a) Cards and envelopes
(b) Radio
(c) Newspaper
(d) Films
Answer : (a) Cards and envelopes

Question. The people who make the products come to the consumers by transportation are called ________.
(a) Businessman
(b) Retailers
(c) Traders
(d) Industrialists
Answer : (c) Traders

Question. Identify the industry:
(1) Industry in India has grown substantially over the last three decades.
(2) 15 million people are directly engaged in the tourism industry.
(3) The industry promotes national integration, provides support to local handicrafts and cultural pursuits.
Option:
(a) Paper
(b) Information and technology
(c) Tourism
(d) Films
Answer : (c) Tourism

Question. Complete the following table with appropriate terms in place of (a).

(a) Pipeline
(b) Unmetalled Road
(c) Metalled Road
(d) Super Highways
Answer : (a) Pipeline

Question. Which one of the following states is not connected with the H.V.J. pipeline?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Gujarat
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Answer : (c) Maharashtra

Question. Identify the port:
(1) It is located on the Western Coast.
(2) It is the premier iron ore exporting sea port of the country
(a) Kochi
(b) Marmagao Port
(c) Visakhapatnam
(d) Haldia
Answer : (b) Marmagao Port

Question. …………….. is the extreme south-western port located at the entrance of a lagoon with a natural harbour.
(a) Kochi
(b) Kolkata
(c) Haldia
(d) Tuticorin
Answer : (a) Kochi

Question. Match the following roads from column A with the organisations responsible for their construction and maintenance from column B:

(a) (a)-iii, (b)-iv, (c)-ii, (d)-i
(b) (a)-iii, (b)-ii, (c)-iv, (d)-i
(c) (a)-iv, (b)-i, (c)-ii, (d)-iii
(d) (a)-iv, (b)-iii, (c)-ii, (d)-i
Answer : (d) (a)-iv, (b)-iii, (c)-ii, (d)-i

Question. Difference between the total value of exports and imports is called.
(a) Balance of Payment
(b) Balance of Trade
(c) Surplus Budget
(d) Deficit Balance
Answer : (b) Balance of Trade

ASSERTION AND REASONING

Question. ASSERTION (A):Transport and communications are called lifeline of our economy.
REASON (R): transport and communications do not help in easy movement of goods and materials between countries.
Option:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(d) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer : (c) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.

Question. ASSERTION (A): No country can survive without international trade.
REASON (R): Resources are not space bound.
Option:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(d) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer : (c) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.

Question. ASSERTION (A): Mass communication promotes national integration and provides entertainment.
REASON (R): It strengthens democracy in the country by providing news to the masses. They feel attached to the country and a feeling of Nationalism arises in them.
Option:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(d) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer : (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Question. ASSERTION (A): Road transportation in India faces a number of problems.
REASON (R): Roads are unmetalled, their network is adequate.
Option:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(d) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer : (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Question. ASSERTION (A): Waterways are the cheapest means of transport.
REASON (R): It is a fuel-efficient and environment friendly mode of transport.
Option:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(d) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer : (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Question. What are the problems faced by Indian Railways?
Answer : • Thefts and damaging of railway property by miscreants.
• People stop the trains and pull chains unnecessarily that causes heavy damage to the railways and also causes delays.

Question. How are the means of transport and communication complementary to each other? Explain with three examples.
Answer : • Transport and communication provide basic infrastructure for each other to carry on their process.
• They create possibilities for investment to upgrade and expand their services.
• Communication has widened the horizons of trade far and wide.
• Transport had limited access earlier. With the advancement of science and technology the world has converted into a large village. Communication has widened the scope of transportation even in the remote areas.

Question. What is the difference between personal communication and mass communication?
Answer : Personal Communication:
1. It’s the communication between person to person.
2. It provides necessary communication between two people making man a social animal.
3. We have letters, e-mails, SMSs, telephone and mobile phone facilities which also includes STD and ISD services.
Mass Communication:
1. It’s the communication among masses.
2. It provides entertainment as well as creates awareness among the masses.
3. It includes radio, television, newspapers, magazines, books, films, etc.

Question. List any three merits of roadways.
Answer : • The construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines.
• Road transport is economical in the transportation of a few persons and a relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances.
• Roads can traverse comparatively more dissected and undulating topography.
• Roads offer door to door convenience unlike other modes of transport.

Question. What made the location of inland oil refineries possible? Name any two inland oil refineries.
Answer : • Location of inland oil refineries was made possible because of pipeline transportation which links them with oilfields.
• Inland oil refineries are:
1.Barauni
2.Mathura
3. Panipat

Question. Define international trade. Why is it considered as economic barometer of a country?
Answer : • It is very important for the development of a country. Advancement of international trade of a country is an index to its economic prosperity.
• As the resources are space bound no country can survive without international trade.
• It enables a country to earn foreign exchange which is needed to import essential goods. It is therefore considered the economic barometer for a country.

Question. Efficient means of transport are pre-requisites for fast development.’ Express your views in favour of this statement.
Answer : • The movement of goods and services from the supply location to demand locations necessitates the need for transport.
• It widens the market for goods.
• It allows distant and remote areas to be linked with urban and developed, regions.
• The development and improvement of transport have made the delivery of goods faster across long distances and thus reduced cost. Immediate relief during the war, natural calamity, famine or flood can be easily accessed through efficient means of transport.

Question. What are ‘Pawan Hans’ services? Write two purposes for which these services are used.
Answer : The Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd., a public sector undertaking, provides helicopter services to:
• Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) in its offshore operations.
• Inaccessible areas and difficult terrains like the north-eastern states, the interior parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• They are also pressed into service at the time of emergencies and for providing relief measures at the time of natural calamities.

Question. What is the significance of the border roads?
Answer : • The Border Roads are vital road link along the frontiers of our country.
• These roads are of strategic importance.
• These roads have improved accessibility in areas of difficult terrain mainly in the northern and north eastern border areas.
• They have played a major role in the economic development of these areas.
• These roads are constructed and maintained by the Border Roads Organization (a government of India undertaking) which was established in 1960.

Question. Write merits of waterways in India.
Answer : • Waterways are a fuel efficient and environment friendly mode of transport.
• They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods.
• India’s trade with foreign countries is carried from the ports located along the coast, and more than 95% of the country’s trade volume is moved by the sea.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Question. “Railways are the principal mode of transportation in India.” Explain.
Answer : • Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers.
• The Indian Railways have a network of 7,031 stations, 7,817 locomotives, 5,321 passenger service vehicles, 4,904 other coach vehicles and 228,170 wagons as on 31st March, 2004.
• The total length of railways is 63,221 km.
• Railways are useful in conducting business, sightseeing, pilgrimage along with transportation of goods over longer distances.
• It is the largest public undertaking in the country. Thus, it is clear that the railways are playing an important role in our economy.

Question. Excessive use of road transportation is the main reason for ever increasing pollution which is very damaging for health. How according to you, this can be controlled?
Answer : • Regular monitoring of pollution check of vehicles.
• Ban on old commercial vehicles driven on conventional fuels.
• Promoting use of bicycle.
• Making more use and availability of CNG
• More use of public vehicles instead of private vehicles.

Question. “Roadways still have an edge over railways in India”. Give reasons.
Answer : • Construction of roads is easier and cheaper as compared to railways.
• Roads provide door to door service; thus, the cost of loading and unloading is much lower as compared to railways which generally leave the people and goods at the destined railway stations.
• Roads can negotiate higher gradients of slope and, as such, can traverse through mountainous terrain. But railways cannot negotiate steep gradients.
• Road transport is economical in transportation of few persons and relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances.
• Road transport is also used as a feeder to other modes of transport.
They provide links between railway stations, airports and sea ports.
• They link agricultural farms with markets and industries, thus linking rural and urban areas.

Question. Why is air travel more popular in the north eastern states of India? Explain.
Answer : • North eastern part of the country is marked with the presence of big rivers where other means of transport cannot be laid.
• It is marked with dissected relief that makes it impossible to access the area through other means of transport other than air.
• The entire area is covered with dense forest that resists land movement.
• This area is often hit by frequent floods. Air travel is thus required.
• It has a long international frontier that requires a quick response which is possible only through air transport.

Question. Describe the significance of tourism as a trade in India.
Answer : • Tourism in India has grown substantially over the last three decades.
• Foreign tourist’s arrival has witnessed an increase, thus contributing to foreign exchange.
• More than 15 million people are directly engaged in the tourism industry.
• It provides support to local handicrafts and cultural pursuits.
• Tourism also promotes national integration.
• It helps in development of international understanding about our culture and heritage.
• Foreign tourists visit India for heritage tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, medical and business tourism.

Question. What are the advantages of pipeline transportation?
Answer : • Pipelines can transport liquids, gases and solids (in slurry form) to any distance.
• Pipelines are used for transporting crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas from oil and natural gas fields to refineries, fertilizer factories and big thermal power plants.
• Initial cost of laying pipelines is high but subsequent running costs are minimal.
• It reduces trans-shipment losses and delays.
• They can be laid in any terrain and even through the water-bodies.

Question. Examine with examples the role of means of transport and communication in making our life prosperous and comfortable.
Answer : • Means of transport provide seamless movement of goods and people and thus facilitate various economic activities.
• Means of communication help in flow of information which is necessary for proper management of supply chain and financial transactions.
• Various means of transport and communication have reduced distances, bringing the world closer. Modern life is so complex that one has to depend on others. The same is true of the countries as well. No country today can prosper without the co-operation and assistance of others. This requires movement of goods and materials between countries. Trade provides us with our necessities and also adds to the amenities and comfort of our life.
• Transport like railways help us in conducting various activities like business, sightseeing, pilgrimage and transportation of goods over longer distances.
• Water provides the cheapest means of transport and is useful for international trade. Air transport provides the fastest, most comfortable mode of transport. Pipelines are used for transporting crude oil and natural gas to refineries and factories.

Question. Why is the distribution of roads not uniform in India? Explain with examples.
Answer : • Distribution of roads is not uniform in India due to different types of geographical features.
• Moreover, the volume of traffic as well as passengers also affects road networking in India.
• Roads are highly congested in cities. Most of the bridges and culverts have become narrow, old and broken.
• Some roads are metalled, that is well built with brick and cement and about half of the roads are unmetalled specially in rural areas which makes them inaccessible during rainy seasons.
• The regions with rugged terrain have steep roads with lots of hairpin bend

Question. What are the problems faced by road transportation in India?
Answer : • The road network is inadequate in proportion to the volume of traffic and passengers.
• About half of the roads are unmetalled which makes them useless during rainy season.
• The National Highways are inadequate and lack roadside amenities.
• The roadways are highly congested in cities.
• Most of the bridges and culverts are old and narrow. 

Question. Why do the movement of goods and services form one place to another require fast and efficient means of transport? Explain with examples.
Answer : • Because of transport raw materials reach the factory and finished products reach to the consumer. The pace of development of a country depends upon the production of goods and services as well as their movement over space.
• Good transport helps in quick carrying of raw materials from remote areas to the production centre and allows distribution of goods efficiently.
• Transport helps in the development of communication.
• Transport like railways helps us in conducting various activities like business, sightseeing, pilgrimages, etc.
• Pipelines are used for transporting crude oil and natural gas to refineries and factories.
• Water provides the cheapest means of transport and is useful for international trade.
• Air transport provides the fastest, most comfortable mode of transport.
• Thus, it is clear that there are many advantages of transportation and communication. These means help in the development of the country. So they are rightly called the lifelines of a nation and its economy.

CASE STUDY QUESTIONS

Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:

Since the ancient period, India was one of the seafaring countries. Its seamen sailed far and near, thus, carrying and spreading Indian commerce and culture. Waterways are the cheapest means of transport. They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods. It is a fuel-efficient and environment friendly mode of transport. India has inland navigation waterways of 14,500 km in length. Out of these only 5685 km are navigable by mechanised vessels.

The following waterways have been declared as the National Waterways by the Government.
• The Ganga River between Allahabad and Haldia (1620 km)-N.W. No.1
• The Brahmaputra river between Sadiya and Dhubri (891 km)-N.W. No.2
• The West-Coast Canal in Kerala (Kottapuram-Kollam, Udyogamandal and Champakkara canals-205 km) – N.W. No.3
• Specified stretches of Godavari and Krishna rivers along with Kakinada Puducherry stretch of canals (1078 km) – N.W. No.4

Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:

(i) The National Waterway No. 1 is navigable between which of the following places?
(a) Between Sadiya and Dhubri
(b) Between Allahabad and Haldia
(c) Between Kottapuram and Komman
(d) Between Udyogamandal and Champakkara
Answer : (b) Between Allahabad and Haldia

(ii) Which of the following is the cheapest mode of transportation?
(a) Airways
(b) Waterways
(c) Roadways
(d) Railways
Answer : (c) Roadways

(iii) Fill in the blank with an appropriate option:
…………………… channel covers Kerala.
(a) West Coast Canal
(b) East Coast Canal
(c) North Coast Canal
(d) South Coast Canal
Answer : (a) West Coast Canal

(iv) Which of the following National Waterways is the longest waterway?
(a) The Ganga River between Allahabad and Haldia
(b) The Brahmaputra River between Sadiya and Dhubri
(c) The West-Coast Canal
(d) Specified stretches of Godavari and Krishna rivers along with Kakinada Puducherry stretch of canals.
Answer : (a) The Ganga River between Allahabad and Haldia

(v) Which is the most environment friendly mode of transport?
(a) Airways
(b) Railways
(c) Waterways
(d) Land
Answer : (c) Waterways