GK Questions NCERT Solutions (Part-17)

ANSWER- 16

Indian railways network is one of the longest in the world. It facilitates the movement of both freight and passengers and contributes to the growth of the economy. Mahatma Gandhi said the Indian railways “brought people of diverse cultures together to contribute to India’s freedom struggle.” Indian Railway was introduced in 1853 when a line was constructed from Bombay to Thane covering a distance of 34 km. Indian Railways is the largest government undertaking in the country. The length of Indian Railways network is 64460 km. as on 31 March 2011. Its very large size puts lots of pressure on a centralised railway management system. Thus, in India, the railway system has been divided into sixteen zones.

ANSWER- N.H.-7

The main roads which are constructed and maintained by the Central Government are known as the National Highways. These roads are meant for inter-state transport and movement of defencemen and material in strategic areas. These also connect the state capitals, major cities, important ports, railway junctions, etc. The length of the National Highways has increased from 19,700 km in 1951 to 70,934 km in 2008-09. The National Highways constitute only 1.67 percent of the total road length but carry 40 percent of the road traffic. (Table 10.1) The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was operationalised in 1995. It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Surface Transport. It is entrusted with the responsibility of development, maintenance and operation of National Highways. This is also the apex body to improve the quality of the roads designated as National Highways.

ANSWER- The Ganga, Haldia-Allahabad

The Inland Waterways Authority was set up in 1986.
NATIONAL WATER WAY NO. 1
Allahabad-Haldia stretch (1,620 km)
It is one of the most important waterways in India, which is navigable by mechanical boats up to Patna and by ordinary boats up to Haridwar. It is divided into three parts for developmental purposes– (i) Haldia-Farakka (560 km), (ii) Farakka-Patna (460 km), (iii) Patna- Allahabad (600 km).

NATIONAL WATER WAY NO. 2
Sadiya-Dhubri stretch (891 km)

The Brahmaputra is navigable by steamers up to Dibrugarh (1,384 km) which is shared by India and Bangladesh

ANSWER- 1923

Radio broadcasting started in India in 1923 by the Radio Club of Bombay. Since then, it gained immense popularity and changed the sociocultural life of people. Within no time, it made a place in every household of the country. The government took this opportunity and brought this popular mode of communication under its control in 1930 under the Indian Broadcasting System. It was changed to All India Radio in 1936 and to Akashwani in 1957. All India Radio broadcasts a variety of programmes related to information, education and entertainment. Special news bulletins are also broadcast at specific occasions like the session of parliament and state legislatures.