(A) How is pipeline transport network important in the transport system of India ? Explain with an example.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:04 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Importance of Pipeline Transport Network in India:
- Transportation of resources: Pipelines are used to transport crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas from oil/gas fields to refineries, fertilizer factories, and thermal power plants efficiently.
- Enables inland industries: Far inland refineries like Barauni, Mathura, and Panipat, and gas-based fertilizer plants, could be established only because of pipelines.
- Transport of solids: Solids can also be transported through pipelines when converted into slurry.
- Cost-effective: Initial cost of laying pipelines is high, but subsequent running costs are minimal.
- Reduces losses: Pipelines rule out trans-shipment losses and delays.
Example: The Hazira-Vijapur-Jagdishpur (HVJ) pipeline, 1,700 km long, links Mumbai High and Bassein gas fields with fertilizer, power, and industrial complexes in western and northern India. India's gas pipeline network has now expanded to 18,500 km.
Source: Chapter 7, Pipelines section
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Explanation
- Examiners expect 5 distinct points for a 5-mark answer — one point per mark is the safe approach.
- Always include the named example (HVJ pipeline) with specific details; vague examples lose marks.
- Key terms to use: slurry, trans-shipment losses, crude oil, refineries — these show textbook accuracy.
- Avoid writing general statements not from the chapter; stick to the passage.