Question map
Consider the following statements I. In India, the largest concentration of roads is found in the northern plains II. The ratio of surfaced road to the total road length is lower in the northern plains Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement I is correct as the Northern Plains of India exhibit a significantly high concentration and density of roads due to the flat terrain, which facilitates easy construction and development of an elaborate transportation network [4]. This region contrasts with hilly or forested states where road density remains very low [2]. Statement II is also correct; despite the high density, the ratio of surfaced (paved) roads to the total road length is lower in the Northern Plains compared to peninsular India. This is largely because the vast rural expanse in the plains contains a high proportion of kachcha (unsurfaced) roads, whereas the rocky terrain of the south necessitates surfaced roads for durability. While the plains have the highest total length, the quality in terms of surfacing varies significantly between urban and rural segments [3].
Sources
- [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Geographical Diversity of India > The Gangetic Plains > p. 10
- [4] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > Rural Roads > p. 77
- [3] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > Road Transport > p. 76