Question 85 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Geography

Question

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?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 7

Strategy: Identify the start state (**Nagaland**) and end state (**Kerala**). Trace the most direct path south from the Northeast. The route must pass through **Assam** to connect to the main Indian landmass, then **West Bengal** via the Siliguri Corridor. Continue south along the east coast through **Odisha** and **Andhra Pradesh**. Finally, enter **Kerala** by crossing either **Tamil Nadu** or **Karnataka**. This path includes the origin and destination, totaling seven states: Nagaland, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu (or Karnataka), and Kerala.

Key Info: **Route Analysis (Kohima to Kottayam)**
To determine the minimum number of states for a road journey from Kohima, Nagaland to Kottayam, Kerala, one must trace the most direct geographical path on India's political map. The journey involves traversing from the Northeast, through Eastern India, and down to the Southern peninsula.

**The Optimal Route**
The shortest route in terms of states crossed is as follows:
1.  **Nagaland**: The starting point (Kohima).
2.  **Assam**: Nagaland is a landlocked state in the Northeast, and one must pass through Assam to connect to the main Indian landmass.
3.  **West Bengal**: After Assam, the route passes through the Siliguri Corridor (also known as the 'Chicken's Neck') in West Bengal to enter the eastern part of India.
4.  **Odisha**: Continuing south from West Bengal along the eastern coast.
5.  **Andhra Pradesh**: South of Odisha, this large coastal state must be crossed.
6.  **Tamil Nadu** or **Karnataka**: From Andhra Pradesh, one can either enter Tamil Nadu and then cross into Kerala, or enter Karnataka and then move south into Kerala. Both options add only one more state to the count before reaching the destination.
7.  **Kerala**: The final destination state (Kottayam).

This sequence confirms a minimum of 7 states, including the origin and destination.

**Geographical Locations**
- **Kohima**: The capital city of Nagaland, situated in the northeastern region of India. It is known for its hilly terrain and historical significance, including the Battle of Kohima during World War II.
- **Kottayam**: A city in the state of Kerala in Southern India. It is a major center for literature and is often called 'Akshara Nagari' (City of Letters). It is situated in the basin of the Meenachil River.

**Siliguri Corridor (Chicken's Neck)**
A narrow stretch of land, about 22 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, located in the state of West Bengal. It connects India's northeastern states to the rest of the country. This corridor is bordered by Nepal and Bhutan to the north and Bangladesh to the south, making it a strategically vital and sensitive area.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 6

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 8

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 9