Key Points
Key Points: Factors Affecting The Location Of Industries
- Availability of raw materials strongly influences industrial location as it reduces transport cost, especially for bulky or perishable materials.
- Adequate water and uninterrupted power supply are essential for manufacturing processes, cooling, cleaning and energy needs.
- Good transport facilities help in easy movement of raw materials to factories and finished goods to markets.
- Availability of skilled and unskilled labour and access to a ready market encourage industries to locate in a region.
- Commercial factors like capital, banking facilities, government policies and organisational efficiency play a major role in industrial location decisions.
Key Points: Agro-Based Industries > Sugar Industry
- Sugar industry is an agro-based consumer industry and the second largest organised industry in India.
- Sugarcane produces sugar, gur, khandsari and by-products like molasses, bagasse and press mud.
- Maharashtra is the largest producer, followed by Uttar Pradesh; South India has better yield.
- The industry is shifting to South India due to favourable climate, fertile soil and longer crushing season.
- Major problems are high cost, old machinery, low yield and poor use of by-products.
- The sugar industry in North India has low yield, short crushing season and old mills due to unfavourable climate.
- The sugar industry in Peninsular India has high yield, longer crushing season and modern mills due to favourable tropical climate and cooperative farming.
Key Points: Agro-Based Industries > Cotton Textile Industry
- Cotton textile industry is the oldest and largest agro-based industry in India and supports about 40% of the labour force.
- India is a major producer and exporter of cotton textiles; production is done in powerloom and handloom sectors.
- Maharashtra and Gujarat are leading states; Mumbai (Cottonopolis) and Ahmedabad (Manchester of India) are major centres.
- Other important centres include Coimbatore, Kanpur, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Pune.
- The industry developed due to availability of raw cotton, humid climate, good transport and port facilities, labour, capital and power.
- Benefits include foreign exchange earnings, large-scale employment, support to allied industries and meeting domestic demand.
- Problems include shortage of good cotton, old machinery, power shortage, sick units and foreign competition.
Key Points: Cotton Textile Industry
- Importance – It is one of the largest industries in India, providing employment to millions and contributing significantly to industrial capital and production.
- Growth – The first modern mill was set up in 1854 in Mumbai. After Independence, the industry expanded rapidly across many states.
- Location Factors – Main factors include availability of raw cotton, humid climate, cheap labour, power supply, good transport and large market. It is mainly a market-oriented industry.
- Production Sectors – Cotton cloth is produced in three sectors:
a) Mills
b) Powerlooms (largest share today)
c) Handlooms - Major Producing States – Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are leading producers.
- Important Centres – Mumbai (Cottonopolis), Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Kanpur, Kolkata, Indore, Nagpur, etc.
- Present Trend – Powerloom sector plays a major role in production and exports, while many old mills (especially in Mumbai) have declined.
Key Points: Mineral-Based Industries > Iron and Steel Industry
- Key Industry – Iron and steel industry is called the backbone of industrial development because many other industries depend on it.
- Growth in India – Modern industry began with TISCO at Jamshedpur (1907). After Independence, major plants like Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur and Bokaro were set up.
- Locational Factors – It is a raw material-oriented industry. Plants are located near iron ore, coal, limestone and power sources to reduce transport cost.
- Major Plants – Important centres include Jamshedpur, Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur, Bokaro, Salem, Visakhapatnam and Vijayanagar.
- Public & Private Sector – Both public sector (SAIL plants like Bhilai, Durgapur, Rourkela) and private sector (TISCO) operate in India.
- Production & Position – India is among the top steel producers in the world and is one of the largest producers of crude steel.
- Mini Steel Plants – Many mini steel plants use scrap iron and electric furnaces. They are easier to set up and help meet increasing demand.
Key Points: Synthetic Fibres
- Meaning – Synthetic fibres are man-made fibres produced from petroleum-based chemicals.
- Properties – They are strong, durable, light, easy to wash, wrinkle-resistant and do not shrink easily.
- Growth in India – Production began in the 1960s and expanded rapidly due to availability of raw materials from petroleum refineries.
- Major Types – Important synthetic fibres include nylon, polyester and acrylic fibres.
- Major Centres – Main production centres include Kota, Pimpri, Mumbai, Modinagar, Pune, Ujjain, Nagpur, Udhna, Vadodara, Thane, Ghaziabad and Manali.
Key Points:
- Meaning – Crude oil contains impurities and is refined in oil refineries to produce petrol, diesel, kerosene, lubricants, bitumen, etc.
- Beginning in India – The first oil refinery was set up at Digboi (Assam) in 1901.
- Growth – Refining capacity increased rapidly after Independence. At present, India has a large refining capacity.
- Number of Refineries – India has 23 oil refineries operating in public, private and joint sectors.
- Largest Refinery – Jamnagar Refinery (Gujarat) is the largest and one of the biggest in the world.
- Major Refinery Centres – Important centres include Jamnagar, Koyali, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Haldia, Mathura, Barauni, Panipat and Digboi.
- Sector-wise Distribution – Most refineries are in the public sector, while some operate in private and joint sectors.
Key Points: Types of Industries
- On the Basis of Labour
a) Large-scale (e.g., cotton, jute) – employ many workers.
b) Medium-scale – moderate number of workers.
c) Small-scale – owned by individuals, employ few workers. - On the Basis of Raw Material & Finished Goods
a) Heavy industries – use bulky raw materials (e.g., iron & steel).
b) Light industries – use light raw materials (e.g., textiles, fans). - On the Basis of Ownership (Entrepreneurship)
a) Private sector – owned by individuals or firms.
b) Public sector – owned by government.
c) Joint sector – owned jointly by government and private firms. - On the Basis of Source of Raw Material
a) Agro-based (cotton, sugar),
b) Mineral-based (iron, aluminium),
c) Pastoral-based (leather, wool),
d) Forest-based (paper, rubber). - Village & Cottage Industries
Located in villages or homes.
Meet local needs (e.g., khadi, handloom). - Basic & Consumer Industries
Basic industries support other industries (iron & steel, power).
Consumer industries produce goods for direct use (textiles, bakeries). - Industrial Disparities in India
States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu are highly industrialised.
Some states like Bihar and north-eastern states are less industrialised due to lack of resources and infrastructure.
Key Points: Difference between the Sugar Industry of Northern and Peninsular India
- Climate – Peninsular India has tropical climate giving higher yield of sugarcane than North India.
- Sucrose Content – Sugarcane in the south has higher sucrose content than in the north.
- Crushing Season – Crushing season is longer in the south (about 7–8 months) than in the north (about 4 months).
- Management – Co-operative sugar mills are better managed in the south compared to the north.
- Modernisation – Most sugar mills in the south are newer and use modern machinery, unlike many older mills in the north.
Key Points: Sugar Industry
- Agro-based Industry – Sugar industry is based on sugarcane and is the second largest agro-based industry after cotton textiles.
- India’s Position – India is one of the largest producers of sugar in the world and is self-sufficient in sugar production.
- Location Factor – Sugarcane is a weight-losing and perishable raw material, so sugar mills are located near sugarcane-growing areas.
- Major Regions – Two main regions:
North India – Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
South India – Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka - Leading State – Maharashtra is the largest producer due to high recovery rate and cooperative mills.
- Traditional Producer – Uttar Pradesh is the traditional sugar-producing state and still contributes a large share.
- Other Producing States – Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Bihar also produce sugar.
Key Points: Sugar Industry > Problems of Sugar Industry
- Low Yield of Sugarcane – India has low productivity per hectare compared to other major sugar-producing countries.
- Short Crushing Season – Sugar production is seasonal, and mills remain idle for many months in a year.
- Fluctuating Production – Production of sugarcane varies every year due to competition from other crops and climate conditions.
- Low Rate of Recovery – The percentage of sugar obtained from sugarcane is lower than in many other countries.
- High Cost of Production – High excise duty, old technology and inefficient methods increase production cost.
- Old & Uneconomic Mills – Many mills are small, outdated and not economically viable.
- Competition & Regional Imbalance – Khandsari and gur compete with sugar mills, and production is concentrated mainly in a few states leading to regional imbalance.
Key Points: Mineral-Based Industries > Petrochemicals
- Meaning – Petrochemicals are chemicals obtained from petroleum and are used to make plastics, synthetic fibres, rubber, dyes, drugs and many other products.
- Fast Growing Industry – It is one of the fastest growing industries in India with a high annual growth rate.
- Major Centres – Important petrochemical complexes are located near oil refineries at Koyali, Barauni, Haldia, Chennai, Vadodara and Nagothane.
- Important Companies – Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. (IPCL) and Petrofil Cooperative Ltd. (PCL) are major producers of polymers, fibres and synthetic chemicals.
- Self-Sufficiency & Exports – Rapid growth has made India largely self-sufficient in petrochemicals, and the country has started exporting some products.
Key Points: Polymers
- Meaning – Polymers are made from ethylene and propylene obtained from petroleum. They are the basic raw material for the plastic industry.
- Importance of Plastic – Plastic is widely used because it is light, durable, non-corrosive, moisture-resistant and easy to mould. It is used in packaging, construction, electronics, furniture and many other products.
- Growth in India – Plastic manufacturing started in India in the late 1950s–60s. Today it is a fast-growing “sunrise industry.”
- Production & Employment – About 20,000 units produce plastic goods in India, mostly in the small-scale sector. The industry provides employment to millions of people.
- Environmental Concern – Although plastic is useful, excessive use causes environmental and health problems, so efforts are being made to reduce its use and increase recycling.
Key Points: Industrial Clusters > Major Industrial Regions
- Mumbai–Pune – Cotton textiles, petrochemicals, engineering; developed due to port facilities.
- Hugli (Kolkata) – Jute, engineering and chemicals; river and port advantage.
- Bengaluru–Tamil Nadu – Textiles, engineering and IT; hydel power support.
- Gujarat (Ahmedabad–Vadodara) – Textiles and petrochemicals; oil discovery helped growth.
- Chotanagpur – Iron and steel industries; rich in coal and iron ore (Ruhr of India).
- Visakhapatnam–Guntur – Port-based industries; shipbuilding, refinery, steel.
- Gurgaon–Delhi / Kerala – Market-based industries (automobiles, electronics) and agro-based industries.
Key Points: Industrial Clusters > Minor Industrial Regions
- Ambala–Amritsar (Haryana–Punjab) – Important minor industrial belt in North India.
- Saharanpur–Muzaffarnagar–Bijnor (U.P.) – Industrial region of western Uttar Pradesh.
- Indore–Dewas–Ujjain (M.P.) – Developing industrial area of Madhya Pradesh.
- Jaipur–Ajmer (Rajasthan) – Important minor industrial belt of Rajasthan.
- Kolhapur–South Kannada (Maharashtra–Karnataka) – Industrial region in western India.
- Durg–Raipur & Bilaspur–Korba (Chhattisgarh) – Known for mineral-based industries.
- Brahmaputra Valley (Assam) – Important industrial region of North-East India.
Key Points: Factors Influencing the Location of Industries
- Raw Materials – Heavy and bulky raw material industries are located near their sources.
- Power Supply – Industries need regular and cheap power (coal, hydel, electricity).
- Labour – Availability of skilled and unskilled workers is important.
- Transport & Communication – Good transport helps in bringing raw materials and sending finished goods to markets.
- Market – Nearness to market reduces transport cost and helps quick sale of goods.
- Land, Water & Climate – Cheap land, adequate water supply and suitable climate support industrial growth.
- Non-Geographical Factors – Capital, government policies, banking, insurance and political stability also influence industrial location.
Important Questions [13]
- State two advantages that mini steel plants have over large integrated steel plants.
- Explain the following: Integrated steel plant.
- Mention the locational factors which favour the growth of the cement industry in India.
- Discuss the two ways in which the cement industry is important for the growth of a country.
- State any three advantages of setting up Mini steel plants.
- Why is the cement industry known as a basic industry?
- Mention two major centres of the cement industry in India.
- Name the following: Aluminium plant at Renukoot.
- Name two centres of the integrated iron and steel industry in India.
- Name the Mineral for Which Chhattisgarh is the Only Producing State in India.
- Which is the first fertilizer plant that was set up in India after independence?
- State two significant factors influencing the location of the Aluminium industry in India.
- Explain the following: Weight losing raw material.
Concepts [14]
- Introduction to Industries
- Types of Industries
- Industrial Clusters
- Factors Affecting The Location Of Industries
- Agro-Based Industries
- Agro-Based Industries > Sugar Industry
- Agro-Based Industries > Cotton Textile Industry
- Readymade Garments
- Mineral Based Industries
- Iron and Steel Industry
- Aluminium Smelting
- Cement Industry
- Transport Equipment
- Overview of Industries
