Fill numbered blank with the most appropriate word to complete the passage.
Inland Waterways Development: India is promoting inland water transport to decongest roads and railways while reducing transportation costs. The Jal Marg Vikas Project focuses on the National Waterway-1 along the Ganga between Haldia and Varanasi. Modern terminals are being built, and mechanised vessels are encouraged. The project aims to shift a portion of cargo movement from road to river, which is more _____(1) friendly. Skill development programmes are training local youth as _____(2) operators. By easing traffic congestion, the project can reduce _____(3) costs and carbon emissions. The success of this initiative relies on maintaining adequate river _____(4) for navigation. Ultimately, improving inland waterways can make freight transport more sustainable and _____(5).
Fill (5) numbered blank with the most appropriate word to complete the passage.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: affordable
Explanation
• The sentence highlights the positive benefits of inland water transport: making freight transport 'more sustainable and _____.'
• The conjunction and connects two parallel, positive attributes. Since inland water transport aims to cut transportation expenses (as stated earlier in the passage: 'reducing transportation costs'), affordable (inexpensive or reasonably priced) is contextually and logically the correct fit.
• Words like harmful, polluting, and limited have negative connotations that contradict the tone of the sentence.