How can the role of railways in deforestation be linked with infrastructure?

Correct answer: Railway construction demanded timber and land for tracks and sleepers

The direct answer is A: railway construction demanded timber and land for tracks and sleepers. Infrastructure means the basic facilities used for transport and economic activity. Railways required land for lines, stations, embankments, and bridges. They also needed large numbers of wooden sleepers placed beneath the rails, so forests were cut to obtain suitable timber. Railways then carried more raw materials and encouraged further commercial extraction. Option A is correct because it identifies both land and wood as infrastructure requirements. Option B is wrong because railways did not save every tree; their expansion often increased cutting. Option C is wrong because ordinary railways run on tracks over land, not only on water. Option D is wrong because railways were closely connected with colonial trade, administration, and resource extraction. Exam cue: infrastructure can consume natural resources.