(a) How are waterways an important mode of transport for both passenger and cargo traffic in India? Explain.

(i) Waterways are the cheapest means of transport.

(ii) They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods.

(iii) It is a fuel-efficient and environment friendly mode of transport.

(iv) India has inland navigation waterways of $\displaystyle 14{,}500$ km in length. Out of these only $\displaystyle 5685$ km are navigable by mechanized boats.

(v) India’s trade with foreign countries is carried from the ports located along the coast.

(vi) $\displaystyle 95$ per cent of the country’s trade volume is moved by sea.

(vii) It generates employment and helps in earning much needed foreign exchange.

(b) Explain the important features of Air Transport of India.

(i)The air travel is the fastest and most comfortable mode of transport.

(ii) It is also the prestigious mode of transport.

(iii)It can cover very difficult terrains like high mountains, dreary deserts, dense forests and also long oceanic stretches with great ease.

(iv)Air transport is widely used in the north-eastern states.

(v) Special provisions are made to extend the services to the common people in these states.

(vi) Pawanhans Helicopter Ltd. provides helicopter services to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation in its off-shore operations, to inaccessible areas and difficult terrains like the north-eastern states and interior parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand.