Test: Lifelines of National Economy - 1 - UPSC MCQ

The water transport is of two types– (a) inland waterways, and (b) oceanic waterways. Inland waterways are s the chief mode of transport before the advent of railways.

Air Transport is considered as an important means of transport in the North-Eastern part of our country because: 

• Big rivers: Presence of big rivers like Brahmaputra make it difficult to construct roads and railways. Airways are suitable when rivers get flooded. 
• Dissected relief: Uneven surface-not suitable for the construction of roadways and railwayscostly affair-can be easily travelled by airways. 
• Dense forests: Dense forests hamper the construction of roadways and railways. 
• International Frontiers: International borders of Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, etc., can be easily travelled by airways without much hassles.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport is an international airport located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

The correct answer is B: Airways. Airways is not a land means of transport as it involves transportation through the air rather than on land.
Here is a detailed explanation of each option:
A: Roadways
- Roadways refer to the transportation of goods and people using roads.
- It includes vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, buses, and trucks.
- Roadways are the most common and widely used means of transport.
B: Airways
- Airways refer to the transportation of goods and people through the air.
- It includes airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft.
- Airways are used for long-distance travel and are the fastest means of transport.
C: Railways
- Railways refer to the transportation of goods and people using tracks or railways.
- It includes trains and trams.
- Railways are known for their efficiency and capacity to transport large volumes of goods and passengers.
D: Pipelines
- Pipelines refer to the transportation of liquids or gases through a network of pipes.
- It includes the transportation of oil, natural gas, and water.
- Pipelines are commonly used for long-distance transportation of fluids.
In summary, the option that does not belong to land means of transport is B: Airways, as it involves transportation through the air rather than on land.

A landlocked country or landlocked state is a sovereign state that does not have territory connected to an ocean or whose coastlines lie on endorheic basins.

Assertion:
- India is dotted with 12 major and 200 minor ports.
Reason:
- India has a long coastline.

The given assertion and reason can be evaluated as follows:
1. Assertion: India is dotted with 12 major and 200 minor ports.
- This statement is true. India indeed has 12 major ports and 200 minor ports.
- Major ports are those that are designated by the government and have a higher level of infrastructure and facilities.
- Minor ports are smaller ports that cater to the local needs of trade and transportation.
2. Reason: India has a long coastline.
- This statement is also true. India has a coastline of approximately 7,516.6 kilometers, making it the 7th longest coastline in the world.
- The long coastline provides ample opportunities for the establishment of ports to facilitate trade and transportation.
Conclusion:
- Both the assertion and the reason are true.
- The reason provided (India has a long coastline) is a correct explanation for the assertion (India has 12 major and 200 minor ports).
- Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

• Solids can be transported in slurry form through pipelines.
• A slurry pipeline is a specially engineered pipeline used to move ores, such as coal or iron, or mining waste, called tailings, over long distances.
• A mixture of the ore concentrate and water, called slurry, is pumped to its destination and the water is filtered out.

To determine which one of the given options is a means of air transport, we need to analyze each option and identify the correct choice.
A: Inland: Inland refers to transportation within a country or continent, typically using land-based methods such as roads, railways, or waterways. It does not involve air transport.
B: Overseas: Overseas refers to transportation that takes place over a large body of water, such as traveling from one country to another by sea. It does not involve air transport.
C: Railways: Railways are a means of transportation that primarily operate on land using tracks. They do not involve air transport.
D: International airways: International airways are a means of air transport that connect different countries around the world. This option involves the use of airplanes for transportation and is the correct choice.
Therefore, the correct answer is D: International airways as it is the means of air transport among the given options.

• Aviation in India is nationalised in the year 1953 on August 1.
• Air India International to provide long distance International Services, was formed on 15th June 1953 and took over the nine air transport companies with effect from 1st August 1953. 

Air transport operates at a very high speed. The high speed makes the air transport the fastest of all the other forms of transport. People can reach the destination in very less time. Air transport is suitable to carry passengers who want lot of comfort and convenience. 
Air travel is relatively more expensive than transports as it is not within the reach of the common people.