Statement (A): The inter-state transportation of coal is

Solution

• Statement (A) is true because the transportation of coal between states is a critical aspect of the rail transport network in India, as railways are used to transport coal in large quantities, covering about 85% of the coal transport. • Reason (R) is also true because the coal mines in Bengal-Jharkhand (primarily in areas like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, and West Bengal) are the primary source of coal that is supplied to the north-western states of India. • Therefore, Reason (R) correctly explains Statement (A), as these mines are critical for coal transportation through the railways, ensuring the supply of coal to other regions. Thus, the correct answer is (a) Both (A) & (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).