Analyse the physiographic and economic factors that have influenced the distribution pattern of railway network in our country
Physical and economic factors have influenced the distribution pattern of the Indian Railway network in the following ways : (1) Northern plains : Level land, high population density and rich agricultural re¬sources has favoured development of railways in these plains, However, a large number of rivers requiring construction of bridges across their wide river beds posed some obstacles (2) Peninsular region and the Himalayan region : It is a hilly terrain. The railway tracks are laid through low hills, gaps or tunnels. So, it is very difficult to lay the railway lines. The Him alayan mountainous regions too are not favourable for the construction of railway lines due to high relief, sparse population and. lack of economic opportunities. (3) Desert of Rajasthan : On the sandy plain of western Rajasthan too, it is very difficult to lay railway lines which has hindered the development of railways. (4) Swamps of Gujarat, forested tracts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand : These are also not suitable for the development of the railways. (5) The contiguous stretch of Sahyadri could be crossed only through gaps or passes (ghats). Although the Konkan railway along the west coast has been developed but it has also faced a number of problems such as sinking of track in some stretches and landslides.
