UPSC Prelims 2004 Q54: Geography – Transport & Infrastructure Geography
Which among the following National Highway routes is the longest?
- (a) Agra - Mumbai
- (b) Chennai - Thane
- (c) Kolkata - Hajira
- (d) Pune - Machilipatnam
Answer: (c) Kolkata - Hajira
Explanation
Longest National Highway among the options
| Route | National Highway and approximate length |
|---|---|
| Kolkata - Hajira | NH 6, about 1,949 km |
| Chennai - Thane | NH 4, about 1,235 km |
| Agra - Mumbai | NH 3, about 1,161 km |
| Pune - Machilipatnam | NH 9, about 841 km |
Among the given routes, Kolkata - Hajira (NH 6, via Nagpur and Surat) is the longest.
Answer: (c) Kolkata - Hajira.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. NH 3 is about 1,161 km long.
- (b) Incorrect. NH 4 is about 1,235 km long.
- (c) CORRECT. NH 6 is about 1,949 km long.
- (d) Incorrect. NH 9 is about 841 km long.
Key point
Longest NH: NH 7 Varanasi to Kanyakumari, about 2,369 km; then NH 6 Kolkata to Hajira.
Remember
The Kolkata-Hajira route (NH 6) is the longest among these options.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Chennai - Thane because of its length across the peninsula.
- Forgetting that NH 6 crosses four or five States.
- Confusing NH numbers across the Golden Quadrilateral.
Exam tip
NH 7 is the longest, NH 6 second among major routes.
Sources
- National Highways Authority of India — National Highways: route details (NH 6 and NH 7)
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India — Annual Report 2003–04 (National Highways)