UPSC Prelims 2007 Q69: Geography – Transport & Infrastructure Geography
The Stilwell Road, built in the 1940s, which has recently been in news, connects
which of the following?
- (a) Agartala in India and Yangon in Myanmar via Bangladesh
- (b) Ledo in India and Kunming in China via Myanmar
- (c) Kalimpong in India and Lhasa in Tibet via Bhutan
- (d) Imphal in India and Bangkok in Thailand via Myanmar
Answer: (b) Ledo in India and Kunming in China via Myanmar
Explanation
Stilwell Road (Ledo Road)
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Built | 1942-45, World War II, by Allied engineers under US General Joseph Stilwell |
| Route | Ledo (Assam, India) → Pangsau Pass → northern Myanmar (Myitkyina) → joins the Burma Road → Kunming (Yunnan, China) |
| Length | About 1,700 km |
| Purpose | Supply China after Japan cut the Burma Road |
It was in the news in the 2000s because India, Myanmar and China discussed reopening it for trade.
The Indian stretch runs through Arunachal Pradesh (Changlang district).
Answer: (b) Ledo in India and Kunming in China via Myanmar.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. No WWII road linked Agartala to Yangon via Bangladesh.
- (b) CORRECT. The Stilwell Road runs Ledo (Assam) → Myanmar → Kunming (China).
- (c) Incorrect. Kalimpong-Lhasa was an old mule trade route, not a modern road via Bhutan.
- (d) Incorrect. Imphal-Bangkok via Myanmar is the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway (a recent project).
Key point
Stilwell Road = Ledo (Assam) → Pangsau Pass → Myanmar → Kunming (China); built in WWII.
Remember
Stilwell Road joins Ledo (India) to Kunming (China) through Myanmar.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the Stilwell Road with the Trilateral Highway (Moreh-Mae Sot).
- Thinking the road passes through Bangladesh.
- Forgetting Pangsau Pass (Arunachal-Myanmar border) as the crossing point.
Exam tip
Stilwell = WWII = Ledo to Kunming. Trilateral Highway = Moreh (Manipur) to Mae Sot (Thailand).
Sources
- NCERT Class X — Contemporary India II, Ch 7 (Lifelines of National Economy)
- Ministry of DoNER — Stilwell Road
- Oxford School Atlas — North-East India