Most jute mills in India are concentrated along the banks of the Hugli river in West Bengal. State any TWO reasons why this location was favourable for the growth of the jute industry.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:32 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Jute mills are concentrated along the Hugli river because:
- Proximity to raw material and cheap transport: The jute-growing areas of West Bengal are nearby, and the river provides inexpensive water transport supported by a good network of railways and roadways for moving raw material to mills.
- Abundant water and cheap labour: The Hugli river supplies abundant water needed for processing raw jute. Cheap labour is available from West Bengal and adjoining states of Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, Kolkata provides banking, insurance and port facilities for export.
Source: Jute Textiles, Chapter 6
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Explanation
The question asks for two reasons but carries 3 marks, so one reason can be elaborated slightly or a bonus point added. Examiners look for: (i) water transport / proximity to raw material and (ii) abundant water for processing + cheap labour. Always link the factor to the Hugli river specifically. Avoid generic answers — mention West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, etc. by name for full credit.