Page 51 - SST Class 05

Despite such a large network of roads,
India is reeling under the increasing
pressure of traffic. Increasing traffic has
led to a number of problems. Two
important problems are pollution and
accidents. Pollution from vehicles is a
serious problem resulting in different
types of diseases including breathing Pollution from vehicles A road accident
disorders, asthma and bronchitis. Vehicles also cause sound pollution. The level of

pollution increases when vehicles are not well maintained.
Increasing traffic on roads has led to reckless driving which causes accidents. Poor

quality of roads is also responsible for many accidents. A very large number of people
die or lose limbs in accidents every year.
Railways

The railway is a cheaper mode of travel than the roadway. It is an important means of
transport in India. It is popular for both passengers and goods. It is quite convenient if
the journey is long. It has played a vital role in the development of the country’s

economy.
The railway was first
introduced in Britain
in 1820. Europe and
North America have

the densest railway
networks in the
world. Belgium has
A steam engine A electric engine A diesel engine
the greatest railway
density in Europe. In India, the railway was introduced in 1853 when Bombay
(Mumbai) was connected to Thane by rail. At present, India has the largest railway
network in Asia and the fourth largest in the world.

There are a number of long railways in the world. The longest of them include the
Trans-continental Railways in America and Canada, which join many cities of the West
Coast to those of the East Coast. In Europe, the Grand Orient Express operates between
Paris (France) and Istanbul (Turkey), through several countries along the route. In

Asia, the Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway running from St. Petersburg in
the west to Vladivostok in the east.

So far as rapid railway systems are concerned, many countries are running very fast
trains. China operates the fastest train which runs at 430 km per hour. The other
countries to operate very fast trains include Japan, France, Spain and other countries.

Means of Transport 51