(A) How is pipeline transport network important in the transport system of India? Explain with an example.

i Pipelines are being used for transporting crude oil. ii They help in transporting petroleum products. iii Natural gas also gets transported through pipeline. iv It is used for transporting crude oil and other petroleum products from fields to refineries. v It can be transported to far away inland locations like Barauni, Mathura and Panipat. vi Pipelines have proved beneficial for gas-based fertiliser plants. vii Solids can also be transported through a pipeline when converted into slurry. viii Running cost of pipelines is minimal. ix They help in uninterrupted supply.

(B) How have physical and economic factors influenced the distribution pattern of the Indian Railway Network? Explain with examples. i Northern Plains: Level land, high population density and rich agricultural resources have favoured development of railways in these plains. ii Peninsular region and the Himalayan region: It is a hilly terrain. The Himalayan mountainous regions are not favourable for the construction of railway line due to high relief sparse population. So it is very difficult to lay the railway line. iii Desert of Rajasthan: On the sandy plains of western Rajasthan it is very difficult, to lay railway lines which has hindered the development of railways. iv Swamps of Gujarat, forested tracts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand; these are also not suitable for the development of railways. v The contiguous stretch of Sahyadri could be crossed only through gaps or passes. vi The development of Konkan railway along the west coast has facilitated the movement of passengers and goods in this most important economic region of India. vii Railways play a major role in transporting goods from the sea port to the interior regions of India and vice versa. viii Certain regions like Himalayan region are not economically congenial for the development of railway.