Class 7 Social Science Questions Answer Chapter 7 NCERT – Part II

Infrastructure: Engine of India’s Development

Questions and activities

1. Which form of physical infrastructure has been built in your area in the last decade? How do you think it has benefitted you or your family members? If you could build something for the community, what would it be?

Answer: In the last decade, new roads and better highway connections have been built in my area. Some nearby cities have also developed metro systems such as the Delhi Metro. These developments have reduced traffic and saved travel time for my family members. My parents can reach their workplace faster, and it has become easier for students to go to school safely. Farmers and shopkeepers also benefit because goods can be transported quickly. If I could build something for my community, I would build a government hospital and a public library with digital learning facilities.

2. How does infrastructure like ports, highways, and airports create jobs in different parts of the country? Can you think of indirect ways people benefit from it?

Answer: Infrastructure like ports, highways, railways, and airports create many jobs in the following ways:

• Indian Railways employs lakhs of people such as drivers, engineers, and ticket collectors.
• Airports like Kempegowda International Airport need pilots, security staff, ground staff, and shopkeepers.
• Ports such as Vishakhapatnam Port employ workers for loading and unloading cargo.
• Highways create jobs for construction workers and toll staff.
• Indirect jobs are created for taxi drivers, vendors, hotel owners, and delivery workers.

3. Why is it important to think about the environment when building new infrastructure like roads or airports? Can infrastructure development and environmental protection go hand in hand? If yes, how?

Answer: It is very important to think about the environment when building new infrastructure like roads or airports because such projects can affect nature in many ways. For example, cutting trees for roads can lead to deforestation, loss of wildlife habitats, and pollution. Airports and highways can increase air and noise pollution. If we do not plan carefully, it can harm rivers, forests, animals, and even people’s health.

Yes, infrastructure development and environmental protection can go hand in hand. This is possible if we plan and build in a sustainable way. For example:

• Using solar panels and clean energy in buildings and airports to reduce pollution.
• Building proper drainage systems so that water bodies are not polluted.
• Planting trees along highways to replace the ones that were cut.
• Constructing animal crossings or underpasses in forest areas to protect wildlife.
• Using environment-friendly materials and reducing waste during construction.

When we design infrastructure carefully, keeping nature in mind, we can improve transportation and communication while also protecting the environment. In this way, development and environmental protection can support each other for a better future.

4. How can better infrastructure (like roads, airports, communication systems) help during natural disasters like floods or earthquakes?

Answer: Better infrastructure plays a very important role during natural disasters like floods or earthquakes. It helps in saving lives, reducing damage, and providing quick help to affected people.

Good roads, highways, and bridges allow rescue teams, ambulances, fire engines, and relief trucks to reach affected areas quickly. Strong and well-built buildings can resist earthquakes and protect people from serious harm. Airports help in sending emergency supplies like food, medicines, clothes, and rescue teams from other cities or countries.

Communication systems such as mobile phones, internet, and radio are also very important. They help the government send warning messages before floods or cyclones. People can contact their family members and ask for help. Rescue teams can coordinate better using these communication networks.

Thus, better infrastructure ensures quick rescue, proper communication, and faster recovery during natural disasters. It reduces loss of life and property and helps people return to normal life sooner.

5. Have you ever noticed people misusing public spaces, like scribbling on walls, breaking streetlights, or damaging benches? What are its consequences? Write your observations and suggest solutions to prevent it.

Answer: Yes, I have noticed people misusing public spaces. Sometimes people scribble on walls and monuments, throw garbage on roads, break streetlights, damage park benches, or spoil public toilets. Such actions show a lack of responsibility towards public property.

These activities have many bad consequences. Damaging streetlights can make roads unsafe at night and may lead to accidents or crime. Scribbling on walls and monuments spoils their beauty and historical value. Breaking benches and park equipment makes it uncomfortable for elderly people and children. Repairing damaged public property also costs money, which is paid by the government using public funds. This means people’s tax money is wasted.

To prevent this misuse, we should create awareness among people about the importance of public property. Schools can teach students to respect and protect infrastructure. Strict rules and fines should be imposed on those who damage public spaces. CCTV cameras can also be installed in important areas. Most importantly, every citizen should feel responsible and treat public property as their own.

If we all work together and act responsibly, we can keep our public spaces clean, safe, and beautiful for everyone.

6. Prepare ‘scenario posters’ for the following situations:

(a) A new factory is planned in an area. What form of infrastructure is required for its smooth operation?

Answer: For the smooth operation of a factory, the following infrastructure is required:

• Good roads and highways to transport raw materials and finished goods.
• Railway connection for carrying heavy goods at low cost.
• Electricity supply for running machines.
• Water supply for production and cleaning purposes.
• Communication systems like internet and phones for business activities.
• Warehouses and storage facilities to store goods safely.
• Proper waste management system to reduce pollution.
• Housing, hospitals and schools for workers and their families (social infrastructure).

(b) Self-cleaning roads, underground highways, and high-speed bullet trains could be part of a futuristic city! Imagine the kind of infrastructure that would be required in the future that could help ease the lives of the people and communities in your city, town or village for various day-to-day functions.

Answer: In the future, cities may have:

• Self-cleaning roads with automatic cleaning systems.
• Underground highways to reduce traffic on roads.
• High-speed bullet trains for fast travel between cities.
• Electric vehicle charging stations everywhere.
• Solar panels on buildings to generate clean energy.
• Smart traffic lights controlled by technology.
• Digital classrooms and online services for education and governance.
• Rainwater harvesting systems to save water.

(c) Think about upgrades to the infrastructure near you, considering the terrain of your area, such as coastal, mountainous, plains, etc., and the type of natural calamities your region is prone to.

Answer: Infrastructure should match the area and natural disasters faced there:

• Coastal areas: Strong sea walls, cyclone shelters, good drainage systems.
• Mountainous areas: Tunnels, strong bridges, landslide protection walls.
• Plains: Wide roads, proper flood control systems, irrigation canals.
• Flood-prone areas: Elevated houses and roads, early warning systems.
• Earthquake-prone areas: Earthquake-resistant buildings.

(d) If you could design a new railway or metro station, what would it look like and what features would you add to make it more fun and comfortable for the passengers?

Answer: If I design a new station, it would have:

• Clean and spacious waiting areas.
• Escalators and lifts for elderly and disabled persons.
• Solar panels for electricity.
• Digital display boards and announcement systems.
• Clean toilets and drinking water facilities.
• Food stalls and small shops.
• Green spaces and indoor plants.
• Proper security and CCTV cameras.
• Free Wi-Fi for passengers.

7. Today’s modern infrastructure requires consistent technological innovations. For instance, electric vehicles are increasingly being used by people as a cheaper alternative to polluting fuel like diesel or petrol. Find out about other innovations in infrastructure that can improve ease of living or mobility for communities.

Answer: Today’s modern infrastructure needs new technologies to make life easier, safer and more comfortable. Just like electric vehicles reduce pollution, many other innovations are improving ease of living and mobility for communities.

Some important innovations are:

• Solar and wind energy systems – Solar panels and windmills generate clean electricity and reduce pollution. They help villages and cities get regular power supply.
• Smart traffic management systems – Traffic lights controlled by sensors and cameras reduce traffic jams and save time.
• Metro trains and bullet trains – Fast and electric trains reduce road traffic and air pollution while saving travel time.
• Online services and digital payments – E-governance services allow people to pay bills, apply for documents and access services from home.
• Rainwater harvesting systems – These systems collect and store rainwater, helping to solve water shortages.
• Smart waste management – Machines and recycling systems help in proper garbage disposal and keep cities clean.
• Disaster warning systems – Early warning systems for floods, cyclones and earthquakes help protect people and reduce damage.
• Electric vehicle charging stations – These support the use of electric vehicles and promote clean transport.