Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Roadways have an edge over railways in India due to the following reasons:

1. Lower construction cost: Building roads is far cheaper than laying railway lines, making roads accessible even in remote areas.

1. Suitable for difficult terrain: Roads can traverse dissected, undulating topography and negotiate higher gradients of slopes, including mountain ranges like the Himalayas, where railways cannot easily reach.

1. Door-to-door service: Roads provide door-to-door connectivity, reducing loading and unloading costs significantly.

1. Economical for short distances: Road transport is more economical for carrying fewer persons and smaller quantities of goods over short distances.

1. Feeder service: Roads act as feeders to other transport modes, linking railway stations, airports, and seaports.

1. Vast network: India has the second largest road network in the world at about 62.16 lakh km (2020–21), ensuring wide coverage.

Source: Chapter 7 (Transport), Roadways section

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• The question asks you to justify a statement, so present each point clearly as a reason — numbered points work best here.
• Examiners expect at least 5 distinct points for 5 marks (roughly 1 mark per point).
• Use keywords from the textbook: door-to-door service, dissected topography, feeder to other modes, lower construction cost.
• Avoid writing a general essay; stick to the specific advantages listed in the chapter.
• Mentioning the statistic (62.16 lakh km) adds precision and fetches marks.