NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 7 Lifelines of National Economy
Lifelines of National Economy refers to the transport and communication networks that move people, goods, services, and information across a country, linking supply locations to demand locations and helping the economy stay connected, productive, and growing. The movement of goods and services from their supply locations to demand locations necessitates the existence of transport. In the NCERT curriculum, mastering the lifelines of national economy is vital for understanding how a country stays connected and grows. Chapter 7 of Geography explains that the pace of development of a country depends upon the production of goods and services as well as their movement over space.
By engaging with the lifelines of national economy class 10 questions and answers, students can explore the intricate network of roadways, railways, pipelines, waterways, and airways that facilitate trade. Whether you are searching for lifelines of national economy class 10 notes or a comprehensive lifelines of national economy class 10 guide, this article provides a detailed breakdown based strictly on the official source material.
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Class 10 Geography Chapter 7 Lifelines of National Economy Questions Answers
Lifelines of National Economy Class 10 NCERT Solutions Exercises
1. Multiple choice questions.
A. Which two of the following extreme locations are connected by the east-west corridor?
- Mumbai and Nagpur
- Silcher and Purbandar
- Mumbai and Kolkata
- Nagpur and Siliguri
Solution: (b) Silcher and Purbander
B. Which mode of transportation reduces transshipment losses and delays?
- Railways
- Roadways
- Pipelines
- Waterways
Solution: (c) Pipelines
C. Which one of the following states is not connected with the H.V.J. pipeline?
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Uttar Pradesh
Solution: (b) Maharashtra
D. Which one of the following ports is the deepest landlocked and well-protected port along the East Coast?
- Chennai
- Paradip
- Tuticorin
- Vishakhapatnam
Solution: (d) Vishakhapatnam
E. Which one of the following is the most important mode of transportation in India?
- Pipeline
- Railways
- Roadways
- Airways
Solution: (b) Railways
F. Which one of the following terms is used to describe trade between two or more countries?
- Internal trade
- International trade
- External trade
- Local trade
Solution: (b) International Trade
Read More: Class 10 Geography Chapter 1 Question Answer
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words
a. State any three merits of roadways.
Solution:
Three advantages of roads are
- Road construction is significantly less expensive than building railway tracks.
- For short-distance transportation of a small number of people and comparatively little cargo, road transport is cost-effective.
- Roads are able to go over a far more diversified and varying terrain.
b. Where and why is rail transport the most convenient means of transportation?
Solution:
Rail travel is the most viable means of transit in the northern plains because they are level tracts of land with dense populations and an abundance of agricultural supplies.
c. What is the significance of the border roads?
Solution:
Border roads are strategically significant; they have enhanced accessibility in regions with challenging topography and contributed to the economic growth of the bordering parts of the nation.
d. What is meant by trade? What is the difference between international and local trade?
Solution:
A trade is the exchange of goods between individuals, nations, and states. International trade is trading between nations. Within a nation's cities, towns, and villages, local trade is conducted.
Read More: Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Question Answer
3. Answer the following question in about 120 words
a. Why are the means of transportation and communication called the lifelines of a nation and its economy?
Solution:
Because they are necessary for rapid development, communication and transport infrastructure is referred to as the lifelines of a country and its economy. India has strong international connections despite its enormous size, variety, and linguistic and sociocultural pluralism. In many respects, radio, film, television, newspapers, aeroplanes, rivers, railroads, and the internet have all aided in the socioeconomic development of the country. Along with facilitating trade, these many modes of transportation and communication have improved our quality of life and significantly increased the number of services and facilities for personal comfort.
b. Write a note on the changing nature of international trade in the last fifteen years.
Solution:
International trade is defined as trade between nations. Over the past fifteen years, there has been a significant shift in international trade. The interchange of knowledge and information has surpassed the exchange of goods and commodities. For example, India has become a global software powerhouse and is generating significant foreign exchange profits from the export of information technology. In addition to external variables like taxes and levies on the movement of commodities, international trade is also influenced by the relationships between the nations. The emergence of several trade blocs over the past fifteen years has altered the old methods of conducting international trade.
Read More: Class 10 Geography Chapter 3 Question Answer
Why Roadways is an Important Network
India has one of the largest road networks in the world. Road transport preceded rail transport and still has an edge over it because of the ease of construction and ability to negotiate higher gradients of slopes like the Himalayas. According to the lifelines of national economy class 10 curriculum, roads are classified into six classes:
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Golden Quadrilateral Super Highways: A major project linking Delhi-Kolkata-Chennai-Mumbai by six-lane super highways.
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National Highways: Primary road systems maintained by the CPWD. The historical Sher Shah Suri Marg is National Highway No. 1.
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State Highways: Roads linking a state capital with different district headquarters.
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District Roads: Connect district headquarters with other places of the district.
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Other Roads: Rural roads which received a boost under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana.
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Border Roads: Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the bordering areas of the country.
Roadways vs. Railways: A Comparison
The following table highlights the advantages and disadvantages of both modes as described in the textbook:
|
Mode of Transport |
Advantages |
Disadvantages/Constraints |
|
Roadways |
Lower construction cost; provides door-to-door service; flexible for small distances. |
High maintenance; prone to traffic congestion; less suitable for very heavy bulk over long distances. |
|
Railways |
Principal mode for long-distance heavy freight; connects distant corners; cheaper for bulk. |
Difficult to construct in high gradients or sandy/swampy areas; high initial cost; fixed routes. |
Read More: Class 10 Geography Chapter 4 Question Answer
Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Question Answer
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Why Railways is the Backbone of Domestic Transport
Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India. They make it possible to conduct multifarious activities like business, sightseeing, and pilgrimage over long distances. As noted in the lifelines of national economy class 10 notes, the Indian Railway network is one of the largest in the world.
However, the distribution pattern of the railway network is influenced by physiographic, economic, and administrative factors. For example, the level northern plains with high population density and rich agricultural resources provide the most favorable condition for their growth, whereas the hilly terrains of the peninsular region make construction difficult.
Pipelines and Waterways for Specialized Movement
A relatively new arrival on the transport map of India is the pipeline network. In the past, these were used to transport water to cities and industries. Now, they are used for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas.
Waterways are the cheapest means of transport. They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods. India has several National Waterways, such as:
-
NW No. 1: The Ganga river between Allahabad and Haldia.
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NW No. 2: The Brahmaputra river between Sadiya and Dhubri.
Check out: CBSE Class 10th Sample Papers
Major Sea Ports and Airways
With a long coastline of 7,516.6 km, India is dotted with 12 major and 200 notified non-major ports. According to the lifelines of national economy class 10 questions and answers, these ports handle 95% of India's foreign trade. Key ports include Kandla (the first port developed soon after Independence), Mumbai (the biggest port), and Vishakhapatnam (the deepest landlocked and well-protected port).
Airways represent the fastest, most comfortable, and prestigious mode of transport. It can cover very difficult terrains like high mountains, dreary deserts, and dense forests with great ease. In India, air transport was nationalized in 1953. Pawanhans Helicopters Ltd. provides services to oil and natural gas sectors and inaccessible areas.
Transport as "Economic lifeline"
A unique way to view the concepts in Chapter 7 is to see the transport network as "Economic Arteries." Just as arteries carry oxygenated blood to every cell in the human body to keep it alive and functioning, the transport system carries the "oxygen" of resources, food, and finished products to every corner of the nation. Without these lifelines, the body of the national economy would become stagnant. This framing helps students realize that infrastructure is not just about concrete and steel; it is about the living, breathing circulation of a country's wealth and survival.
Check out: CBSE Class 10th Question Banks
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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 7 FAQs
1. Why are roadways considered better than railways in certain areas?
Roads can be built in rugged terrains and high mountains where railway construction is difficult. They also provide door-to-door service and are more economical for transporting few people and smaller amounts of goods over short distances.
2. What is the significance of the Golden Quadrilateral?
The Golden Quadrilateral connects the four major metropolitan cities of India (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata). Its primary objective is to reduce the time and distance between these mega-cities to boost trade.
3. Name the three important networks of pipeline transportation in India.
The three networks are: (a) From oil fields in upper Assam to Kanpur, (b) From Salaya in Gujarat to Jalandhar in Punjab, and (c) The HVJ gas pipeline from Hazira in Gujarat to Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh.
4. Which port is known as the "tidal port"?
Kandla in Kuchchh was the first port developed after Independence and is a tidal port. It handles the exports and imports of the highly productive granary and industrial belt of North India.
5. How has international trade changed in recent years according to the text?
International trade has undergone a sea change. Exchange of commodities and goods has been superseded by the exchange of information and knowledge. India has emerged as a software giant at the international level.





