UPSC Prelims 2017 Q49: Geography – Transport & Infrastructure Geography
If you travel by road from Kohima to Kottayam, what is the minimum number of States
within India through which you can travel, including the origin and the destination?
- (a) 6
- (b) 7
- (c) 8
- (d) 9
Answer: (b) 7
Explanation
Kohima to Kottayam by road
Kohima is the capital of Nagaland.
Kottayam is in Kerala.
The shortest chain of States runs down the east coast.
| Number | State | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nagaland | Origin (Kohima) |
| 2 | Assam | Only road link out of the North-East |
| 3 | West Bengal | Through the Siliguri corridor |
| 4 | Odisha | East coast |
| 5 | Andhra Pradesh | East coast |
| 6 | Tamil Nadu | Cross to the west |
| 7 | Kerala | Destination (Kottayam) |
Andhra Pradesh touches both Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
So you need not travel through Telangana or Karnataka.
Answer: (b) 7.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Six is too few; no shorter chain of States links Nagaland to Kerala.
- (b) CORRECT. Nagaland, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala: 7 States.
- (c) Incorrect. Eight would add a State such as Telangana, which the coastal route avoids.
- (d) Incorrect. Nine counts extra States such as Bihar or Karnataka that are not needed.
Key point
Kohima to Kottayam: minimum 7 States, including the origin and the destination, via Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Remember
Kohima to Kottayam = 7 States along the east coast.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to count the origin and destination States.
- Adding Bihar or Jharkhand; West Bengal borders Odisha directly.
- Adding Telangana or Karnataka; Andhra Pradesh borders Tamil Nadu directly.
Exam tip
For 'minimum number of States' questions, trace the coast on a map: coastal States form the shortest chain.
Sources
- Survey of India — Political Map of India
- NCERT Class XI — India: Physical Environment, Ch 1 (India: Location)