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Question

Which one of the following statements with regard to the Indian Railways is not correct?

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2017 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (05-Feb-2017)
The correct answer is

At present, India has the largest railway network in the world.

Understanding the Indian Railways Question

The question asks us to identify the statement that is not correct among the given options about the Indian Railways.

To answer this, we need to evaluate the accuracy of each statement based on geographical knowledge and facts about the Indian railway network.

Analyzing the Statements about Indian Railways

Let's examine each statement carefully:

Statement 1: The Indian rail networks have been developed throughout the Konkan coast.

This statement refers to the railway development along the Konkan coast. The Konkan Railway is a major railway line that runs along the Konkan coast of India, connecting Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. While "throughout" might imply complete coverage, a significant and famous railway network does exist here.

Based on the existence and importance of the Konkan Railway, this statement is generally considered correct in the context of railway development efforts in the region.

Statement 2: There is very low density of railway lines in the Himalayan region.

The Himalayan region is characterized by challenging mountainous terrain, including steep slopes, high altitudes, and difficult geological conditions. Building railway lines in such areas is extremely difficult and expensive. Therefore, the density of railway lines in the Himalayan region is indeed very low compared to the plains.

This statement is correct due to the geographical constraints of the Himalayan terrain.

Statement 3: The north Indian plains has a dense network of railway lines.

The North Indian plains (like the Gangetic plains) are vast, flat, fertile, and densely populated areas. These conditions are highly favourable for the construction of railway lines. The high population density and economic activity in this region also create a strong demand for transportation, leading to the development of a dense network of railway lines.

This statement is correct because the plains offer ideal conditions for railway development and have high traffic demands.

Statement 4: At present, India has the largest railway network in the world.

This statement claims that India's railway network is the largest globally. While India does possess one of the largest railway networks in the world, it is not currently the largest. The United States has the largest railway network by route length, followed by China, and then India.

Therefore, this statement is factually incorrect.

Identifying the Incorrect Statement

Based on the analysis of each statement:

  • Statement 1 (Konkan coast) is correct.
  • Statement 2 (Himalayan region density) is correct.
  • Statement 3 (North Indian plains density) is correct.
  • Statement 4 (Largest network globally) is incorrect.

The question asks for the statement that is not correct. The incorrect statement is that India has the largest railway network in the world.

Revision Table: Key Facts on Indian Railways Geography

Region Characteristic Railway Network Density/Development
Konkan Coast Coastal, hilly sections Significant development (Konkan Railway)
Himalayan Region Mountainous, difficult terrain Very low density
North Indian Plains Flat, fertile, densely populated Very high density, dense network
India's Global Rank Total route length Among the top few (e.g., 3rd largest), but not the largest

Additional Information on Global Railway Networks

Understanding the scale of railway networks around the world helps put India's position into perspective. Here are some points:

  • The size of a country's railway network is typically measured by route length or track length.
  • The United States has the largest railway network, primarily due to extensive freight lines.
  • China has been rapidly expanding its high-speed rail network and also has a very large overall network.
  • India's railway network is crucial for both passenger and freight transport, connecting vast areas of the country.
  • Factors influencing network size and density include geography, population, industrial activity, and historical development.

While India's railway network is massive and vital for its economy and people, claiming it is the largest in the world is inaccurate based on current data.

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Similar Questions

  1. Which of the following statements about National Recruitment Agency is correct?
  2. Which one of the following is not a thrust area in the Railway Budget 2015-16?

  3. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the options given below:

    List-I

    (Railway Zone)

    List-II

    (Headquarters)

    A.

    North Central

    1.

    Secunderabad

    B.

    North Eastern

    2.

    Jabalpur

    C.

    West Central

    3.

    Gorakhpur

    D.

    South Central

    4.

    Allahbad


Important Questions from Railway

  1. The first underground railway in India was opened by 1984 in?

  2. Indian Railway has unveiled a software that will help it to keep track of punctuality of the trains, freight and passenger earnings and much more. What is the name of the software?

  3. The Konkan Railway is between Mumbai and _______.

  4. Which city became the ninth Indian city to have its metro rail system on September 5, 2017?

  5. Identify the group, of which all the cities are associated with Metro project:

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