Transport And Communication Important Notes - Class 4 Social Studies | Fully Solved Notes For Students

We can travel from one corner of the country to another in a few hours. We can communicate with people living thousands of kilometres away in seconds. All these have been made possible by modern means of transport and communication.

Transport

Early humans travelled on foot. Later, they invented the wheel and began to use carts pulled by animals. These were slow and could cover only short distances in a day. Over time, people developed faster machines and better roads, railways, waterways and air routes. Today, India has a well-developed network of different modes of transport that help people move, and goods reach markets quickly.

Roadways

Roads are the most common means of transport. Roads used for travelling are of different types. Some roads are made with a hard surface and are called metalled roads; these are usually found in towns and cities and are built with stone, cement and tar. Others are unmetalled roads; these are often found in villages and are made with earth or gravel.

• National highways connect state capitals and major cities across the country.
• State highways connect important cities and towns within a state and link them to national highways.
• There are also district roads and village roads that connect smaller towns and villages to the main road network.
• Road transport is useful for short and medium distances and for reaching places that do not have rail or air links.

The national highways are constructed and maintained by the central government. The state highways are maintained by the state governments.

Road safety is important. People should follow rules such as wearing seat belts, using helmets, obeying traffic lights and road signs, and not driving when tired or under the influence of alcohol.

Railways

Railways are the lifeline of the country. Trains connect towns and cities across long distances and carry huge quantities of passengers and goods. At the time of Independence, trains were pulled by steam engines. Later, these were replaced by diesel and electric engines, which are faster and cleaner. Some fast passenger trains, such as the Rajdhani Express and the Shatabdi Express, can travel at speeds of about 120-130 kilometres per hour.

In many cities, there are Metro trains that run on elevated or underground tracks and help reduce city traffic. Mumbai has a large and well-connected network of local trains that carry millions of commuters every day. Railways also carry goods (freight trains) and parcels to many parts of the country.

Names of famous luxury trains that are popular with tourists include the Palace on Wheels, the Maharajas' Express and the Deccan Odyssey. These trains give travellers a chance to see different parts of India in comfort.

Waterways

Water transport is one of the cheapest modes of transport and is especially suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods over long distances. Different kinds of ships and boats are used:

• Passenger ships carry people over rivers, lakes and seas.
• Cargo ships transport goods such as coal, iron, grain and manufactured items.
• Tanker ships carry liquid goods such as petroleum and crude oil.

Along India's long coastline, there are 13 major ports and nearly 200 minor ports. Some major ports, such as the Deendayal Port in Gujarat and the Paradip Port in Odisha, handle large quantities of cargo and are important for trade.

Airways

Aeroplanes are the fastest means of transport and are used to travel long distances in a short time. Major cities and towns are connected by air. Aeroplanes also carry goods, especially perishable items such as fresh fruits, flowers and vegetables, that must reach their destination quickly. Some aeroplanes carry mail as well. Both government and private airlines operate in the country.

Helicopters are useful for reaching difficult and remote areas. They are used to deliver medicines and food, to move people in emergencies and to rescue people during natural disasters.

Communication

Communication is the sending and receiving of messages. Long ago, messages could take many days or weeks to reach another person. Today, thanks to many modern methods, messages can reach in seconds.

Postal service

India's postal service is called India Post. It is one of the largest postal networks in the world. People visit post offices to buy stamps, inland letters, postcards and stamped envelopes. Letters and parcels can be sent through ordinary post or through a faster service called Speed Post, which reaches more quickly.

The hobby of collecting postcards is called deltiology.

Telephone

Telephones allow voice communication with people in any part of the world. Landline phones were once ordinary, but they have been largely replaced by mobile phones. Smartphones are mobile phones that do many more things: they make calls, send messages, access the Internet, take photos and run many useful applications.

Fax

A fax machine can send a copy of a written or printed document over a telephone line to another fax machine. It takes only a few seconds for the document to reach the other end, so fax was once a quick way to send papers before the Internet and email became common.

A fax machine

Internet and email

The Internet is a global network of computers that allows people to access information on any topic, to read news, to watch videos and to learn. Email (electronic mail) is a way to send written messages and documents through the Internet. Many people also exchange messages through apps and social networking sites on their smartphones. The Internet has made communication faster, cheaper and easier.

Radio

Radio programmes can reach people in faraway places, even where people cannot read or write. All India Radio broadcasts news and educational programmes in Hindi, English and many regional languages. Private FM radio channels also broadcast music, news and shows for local listeners.

Television

Television performs a similar role to radio, but with pictures. By watching TV, we can see what is happening in other parts of the country and in the world. Television shows news, educational programmes, films, documentaries and entertainment. Today, many channels are available to viewers, and some people watch programmes online as well.

Cinema

Cinema means films or movies. Movies are made in many languages, and they both entertain and educate. Films can also spread important social messages and tell stories from different parts of the country and the world.

Newspapers and magazines

A large number of newspapers and magazines are published in India in different languages. They carry news, stories and information about events from nearby areas and from across the world. Many people also read e-newspapers and online magazines on their tablets and smartphones.

Summary: Transport and communication together connect people, help trade, spread information and support education and health services. Safe use of transport and responsible use of communication tools help improve the lives of all people.