Question

Which of the following is not the factor, which influences the distribution of railways in the country?
A. Physiographic factors
B. Economic factors
C. Administrative factors
D. Political factors
E. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: The railway systems make up the main artery of any country’s inland transport. In India, railways make the backbone of land transport. The distribution pattern of the railway network in a country results from various physical geographic factors. These factors also include the economical status of the country.

Complete step-by-step answer:
In India, the first railway line was opened for transportation and public traffic in 1853. From this point, the railways become the backbone for the land transport systems in India. The development and network design for the railways depends on various factors. Mainly the network distribution is based on the geographical, economic, and administrative factors of a country.
Let us study each of these factors one by one in detail.
The geographical factors include the physical parameters of the geography of a particular area. The level of land and high density of population with rich agriculture in North Indian plains provide appropriate conditions for railway development. The areas having rivers makes it difficult for railway networks to be laid and thus bridges need to be constructed. This involves heavy expenditure. Also, the Himalayan region in the North makes it challenging to make railway networks and it is therefore devoid of railways. Rugged topography does not support railway distribution.
The economically advanced areas have more opportunities for railways to develop. Railways offer economic prosperity to the regions where they are laid. The urban and industrial centers and areas having mineral and agricultural resources include a high density of railways as they improve economic linkages.
To understand the administrative control over railway distribution the influence of British rule is best. The British administration planned the destruction network of Indian railways so as to exploit Indian resources.
Hence, we can conclude that political factors do not influence the distribution of railways in a country.

So, option D is the correct answer.

Note: The British administration has greatly influenced the development and networking of railways in India. The need for transporting British troops made it inevitable to develop railway lines in India. Big ports like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata became the targets to be connected by railway to facilitate import and export.