Question

How do physiographic and Economic factors influence the distribution pattern of railway network in our country? Explain with examples.

Answer 1

The distribution pattern of the Railway network in the country has been largely influenced by physiographic, economic and administrative factors:

• The northern plains with their vast level land, high population density and rich agricultural resources provided the most favourable condition for their growth.
• A large number of rivers requiring construction of bridges across their wide beds posed some obstacles.
• In the hilly terrains of the peninsular region, railway tracts are laid through low hills, gaps or tunnels.
• The Himalayan mountainous regions too are unfavourable for the construction of railway lines due to high relief, sparse population and lack of economic opportunities.
• It is equally difficult on the sandy plain of western Rajasthan, swamps of Gujarat, forested tracks of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand.