RAS question
Which river is the lifeline of eastern Rajasthan?
Correct answer: (B) Chambal.
The Chambal River is the lifeline of eastern Rajasthan because it supports drinking water, irrigation and hydroelectric power through its dam system.
Explanation
Chambal is eastern Rajasthan's key river, not merely one of the state's many rivers. The official Rajasthan State Biodiversity Board page describes the Aravalli lands to the east and southeast as better watered and says this region is drained by the Banas and Chambal rivers, which are tributaries of the Ganges. That places Chambal squarely in the eastern Rajasthan drainage setting. Chambal is treated as the region's lifeline because, through several dams, it supplies drinking water, irrigation support and hydroelectric power. Its significance is both locational and functional.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Mahi is tied to southern Rajasthan, so it is not the river associated with eastern Rajasthan's life-supporting water system.
- (C) Luni belongs to western Rajasthan; the Rajasthan State Biodiversity Board also places the Luni system in the desert region west of the Aravallis, not in the better-watered east.
- (D) Banas does drain eastern and southeastern Rajasthan, but the lifeline role belongs to Chambal because of its drinking-water, irrigation and hydroelectric importance through dams.
Concept
Rajasthan river drainage and regional geography require matching rivers with Rajasthan's physiographic zones. RAS river questions often link location with irrigation, drinking-water supply and power projects.