UPSC Prelims 2002 Q94: Geography – Transport & Infrastructure Geography
With reference to Indian transport systems, consider the following statements:
1. Indian railways system is the largest in the world.
2. National Highways cater to 45 per cent of the total road transport demand.
3. Among the states, Kerala has the highest density of surface road.
4. National Highway No. 7 is the longest in the country.
Which of these statements are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 1 and 3
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 2 and 4
Answer: (d) 2 and 4
Explanation
Indian transport systems
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| 1. Indian Railways is the largest in the world | False — it is the largest in Asia but not the largest in the world |
| 2. National Highways cater to 45 per cent of road transport demand | True as per the government figure of that time |
| 3. Kerala has the highest density of surface road among the states | Not accepted in the official key; it depends on the measure used |
| 4. NH-7 is the longest in the country | True — Varanasi to Kanyakumari, about 2,369 km |
Indian Railways was then the second largest network under one management in Asia and not the largest in the world. National Highways carried about 45 per cent of the road traffic, and NH-7 was the longest highway. So statements 2 and 4 are the accepted answer. On statement 3, I could not verify the dataset the key used, so I have followed the official key.
Answer: (d) 2 and 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false because the railways are not the world's largest.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false.
- (c) Incorrect. The key does not accept statement 3.
- (d) CORRECT. Statements 2 and 4 are accepted.
Key point
NH-7: Varanasi-Kanyakumari (2,369 km), the longest; NH-44 later replaced it as the longest after renumbering.
Remember
NH-7 (now part of NH-44) was the longest national highway.
Common mistakes
- Taking 'largest in the world' for the railways at face value.
- Forgetting the 45% share of national highways.
- Trusting statement 3 without checking the density data.
Exam tip
Reject statement 1, since a world-largest claim is too strong, and 2 and 4 remain.
Sources
- Economic Survey 2001-02 — Transport
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways