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🌏 Geography of Bihar Chapter 14: Water, Roads and Railways (पानी, सड़क एवं रेल)

Module 2: Road Transport and National Highways

📖 Chapter 14 of 17 🧩 Module 2 of 5 ⏱️ ~6 min read 💡 30 MCQs
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 2.1: Road Transport: History and Classes

  • Road transport is the state's most important mode; besides being an independent service, it also supplements the railways. Road and rail dominate, while air and water transport are little developed.
  • Since ancient times Bihar was linked by road to many states of North India. In medieval times the Mughals and Sher Shah built roads; the British extended them.
  • Roads fall into three classes: national highways, provincial (state) highways and local roads.
  • Sher Shah Suri built the Grand Trunk Road through Bihar, now NH-2, described as the longest NH passing through Bihar; it links Peshawar (Pakistan) via Delhi to Punjab and Bengal.
  • In 1947 Bihar's roads totalled 1315 miles (2104 km); by 2012, 1,40,220 km.
⭐ Key Points
  • Road transport.
  • Sher Shah Suri.
  • NH-2.
  • 1315 miles = 2104 km.
  • National, provincial and local.
  • Air and water transport.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: Which is the most important mode of transport in Bihar? Answer: Road.
  • Question: Who built the Grand Trunk Road through Bihar? Answer: Sher Shah Suri.
  • Question: The Grand Trunk Road is now known as which NH? Answer: NH-2.
  • Question: What was Bihar's total road length in 1947? Answer: 2104 km.
  • Question: Into how many classes are roads divided? Answer: Three.
  • Question: Which modes of transport have seen only limited development in Bihar? Answer: Air and water.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: Which is the most important mode of transport in Bihar?

Road transport.

Question 2: Who built the Grand Trunk Road through Bihar?

Sher Shah Suri.

Question 3: The Grand Trunk Road is now known as which NH?

NH-2.

Question 4: What was Bihar's total road length in 1947?

1315 miles = 2104 km.

Question 5: Into how many classes are roads divided?

National, provincial and local.

Question 6: Which modes of transport have seen only limited development in Bihar?

Air and water transport.
Question 1 of 6

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

Which is the most important mode of transport in Bihar?

Road.

Who built the Grand Trunk Road through Bihar?

Sher Shah Suri.

The Grand Trunk Road is now known as which NH?

NH-2.

What was Bihar's total road length in 1947?

2104 km.

Into how many classes are roads divided?

Three.

Which modes of transport have seen only limited development in Bihar?

Air and water.
Question 1 of 6
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 2.2: Golden Quadrilateral and Main Highways

  • The Golden Quadrilateral links the four metros; NH-2 (Delhi-Kolkata) passing through Bihar is part of it. The East-West Corridor includes NH-28 and NH-31 in Bihar.
  • NH-2 (GT Road): from Kolkata through Bihar and UP to Delhi; in Bihar it bypasses Patna, passing Barhi, Sherghati, Dehri-on-Sone, Sasaram, Aurangabad, Mohania.
  • NH-31 (Barhi-Bakhtiyarpur-Guwahati): leaves the GT Road at Barhi, runs via Nawada, Biharsharif to Bakhtiyarpur, turns east, crosses Rajendra Pul (Mokama) and goes via Begusarai, Khagaria, Purnia to Guwahati.
  • NH-30 (Mohania-Patna-Bakhtiyarpur): branches off the GT Road at Mohania, via Vikramganj, Ara, Danapur, Patna, Fatuha, joining NH-31 at Bakhtiyarpur.
  • NH-28 (Lucknow-Gorakhpur-Barauni): enters Bihar near Motihari, via Muzaffarpur to join NH-31 at Barauni; length 259 km. Its branch via Motihari to Raxaul is NH-28A.
Main national highways passing through Bihar
Figure: Main national highways passing through Bihar
⭐ Key Points
  • NH-2 (Delhi-Kolkata).
  • NH-28 and NH-31.
  • Rajendra Pul at Mokama.
  • Bakhtiyarpur.
  • Near Motihari, then via Muzaffarpur to Barauni.
  • NH-28A.
  • NH-2 bypasses Patna.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: Which NH through Bihar is part of the Golden Quadrilateral? Answer: NH-2.
  • Question: Which NHs of Bihar are part of the East-West Corridor? Answer: NH-28 and 31.
  • Question: NH-31 crosses the Ganga by which bridge? Answer: Rajendra Pul, Mokama.
  • Question: Where does NH-30 join NH-31? Answer: Bakhtiyarpur.
  • Question: Where does NH-28 enter Bihar? Answer: Near Motihari.
  • Question: Which NH branch connects to Raxaul? Answer: NH-28A.
  • Question: Which of these towns does NH-2 NOT pass in Bihar? Answer: Patna.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: Which NH through Bihar is part of the Golden Quadrilateral?

NH-2 (Delhi-Kolkata).

Question 2: Which NHs of Bihar are part of the East-West Corridor?

NH-28 and NH-31.

Question 3: NH-31 crosses the Ganga by which bridge?

Rajendra Pul at Mokama.

Question 4: Where does NH-30 join NH-31?

Bakhtiyarpur.

Question 5: Where does NH-28 enter Bihar?

Near Motihari, then via Muzaffarpur to Barauni.

Question 6: Which NH branch connects to Raxaul?

NH-28A.

Question 7: Which of these towns does NH-2 NOT pass in Bihar?

NH-2 bypasses Patna.
Question 1 of 7

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

Which NH through Bihar is part of the Golden Quadrilateral?

NH-2.

Which NHs of Bihar are part of the East-West Corridor?

NH-28 and 31.

NH-31 crosses the Ganga by which bridge?

Rajendra Pul, Mokama.

Where does NH-30 join NH-31?

Bakhtiyarpur.

Where does NH-28 enter Bihar?

Near Motihari.

Which NH branch connects to Raxaul?

NH-28A.

Which of these towns does NH-2 NOT pass in Bihar?

Patna.
Question 1 of 7
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 2.3: Table: National Highways of Bihar

  • The longest NH stretch in Bihar is NH-31 (437 km), then NH-2 (392 km); the shortest is NH-6 (22 km).
  • NH-57 (Muzaffarpur-Purnia) and NH-80 (Mokama-Farakka) are 310 km each; NH-28 is 259 km and NH-30 230 km.
  • NH-77 Hajipur-Sonbarsa 142 km; NH-98 Patna-Rajhara 145 km; NH-82 Gaya-Mokama and NH-83 Patna-Dobhi 130 km each; NH-81 (Bihar-W. Bengal) 100 km.
  • NH-85 Chhapra-Gopalganj 95 km; NH-102 Chhapra-Muzaffarpur 80 km; NH-28A Pipra-Sugauli-Raxaul 68 km; NH-105 Darbhanga-Jaynagar 66 km; NH-30A Fatuha-Barh 65 km; NH-84 Ara-Buxar 60 km; NH-103 Hajipur-Mushrigharari 55 km.
NHRouteLength in Bihar (km)
NH-2Delhi-Kanpur-Kolkata392
NH-6Dhule, Nagpur, Raipur, Sambalpur, Baharagora, Kolkata22
NH-28Barauni, Muzaffarpur-Gorakhpur, Lucknow259
NH-28APipra-Sugauli-Raxaul68
NH-30Mohania-Patna-Bakhtiyarpur230
NH-30AFatuha-Barh65
NH-31Barhi, Bakhtiyarpur, Mokama, Purnia, Guwahati437
NH-57Muzaffarpur-Purnia310
NH-77Hajipur-Sonbarsa142
NH-80Mokama-Farakka310
NH-81(Bihar-West Bengal)100
NH-82Gaya-Mokama130
NH-83Patna-Dobhi130
NH-84Ara-Buxar60
NH-85Chhapra-Gopalganj95
NH-98Patna-Rajhara145
NH-102Chhapra-Muzaffarpur80
NH-103Hajipur-Mushrigharari55
NH-105Darbhanga-Jaynagar66
Length of national highways within Bihar (km)
Figure: Length of national highways within Bihar (km)
⭐ Key Points
  • NH-31: 437 km.
  • 392 km.
  • NH-6.
  • Hajipur-Sonbarsa, 142 km.
  • Patna-Dobhi, 130 km.
  • NH-30A, 65 km.
  • NH-57 and NH-80.
  • Darbhanga-Jaynagar, 66 km.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: Which NH has the longest stretch in Bihar? Answer: NH-31.
  • Question: What is the length of NH-2 within Bihar? Answer: 392 km.
  • Question: Which NH has only 22 km in Bihar? Answer: NH-6.
  • Question: NH-77 connects which places? Answer: Hajipur-Sonbarsa.
  • Question: NH-83 connects which places? Answer: Patna-Dobhi.
  • Question: Which NH runs Fatuha-Barh? Answer: NH-30A.
  • Question: Which two NHs are both 310 km long in Bihar? Answer: NH-57 and NH-80.
  • Question: NH-105 connects which places? Answer: Darbhanga-Jaynagar.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: Which NH has the longest stretch in Bihar?

NH-31: 437 km.

Question 2: What is the length of NH-2 within Bihar?

392 km.

Question 3: Which NH has only 22 km in Bihar?

NH-6.

Question 4: NH-77 connects which places?

Hajipur-Sonbarsa, 142 km.

Question 5: NH-83 connects which places?

Patna-Dobhi, 130 km.

Question 6: Which NH runs Fatuha-Barh?

NH-30A, 65 km.

Question 7: Which two NHs are both 310 km long in Bihar?

NH-57 and NH-80.

Question 8: NH-105 connects which places?

Darbhanga-Jaynagar, 66 km.
Question 1 of 8

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

Which NH has the longest stretch in Bihar?

NH-31.

What is the length of NH-2 within Bihar?

392 km.

Which NH has only 22 km in Bihar?

NH-6.

NH-77 connects which places?

Hajipur-Sonbarsa.

NH-83 connects which places?

Patna-Dobhi.

Which NH runs Fatuha-Barh?

NH-30A.

Which two NHs are both 310 km long in Bihar?

NH-57 and NH-80.

NH-105 connects which places?

Darbhanga-Jaynagar.
Question 1 of 8
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 2.4: Proposed Highways, Local Roads and River Bridges

  • Current position (2025): new Ganga bridges: the six-lane Aunta-Simaria bridge (1.86 km, NH-31) beside the old Rajendra Setu, opened by the PM on 22 August 2025; the Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur six-lane bridge (Patna-Vaishali, 22.75 km project), second phase opened on 23 August 2025; and the rail-cum-road J.P. Setu (Digha-Sonpur) and Shri Krishna Setu (Munger).
  • The government decided to build 14 new NHs totalling 2411 km, after which India's NH length would be 51,996 km. Bihar ranks first with over 415 km.
  • The 14 new NHs cover 11 states; 5 of them, NH-81, 82, 83, 84 and 85, pass through Bihar.
  • Local roads link district headquarters with small towns; they are kutcha or pucca, often with brick soling, and break almost every year in floods, making the rainy season difficult.
  • Road-only bridges: Mahatma Gandhi Setu (Ganga, Patna) and Vikramshila Pul (Ganga, Bhagalpur).
  • Rail-cum-road bridges: Rajendra Pul (Ganga, Mokama), Son Pul (Son, Dehri), Abdul Bari Pul (Son, Koilwar), Bagaha-Chhitauni Pul (Gandak, Bagaha).
Major road and rail bridges on the rivers of Bihar
Figure: Major road and rail bridges on the rivers of Bihar
⭐ Key Points
  • Rajendra Setu (Mokama-Begusarai).
  • Vaishali (Bidupur, via Raghopur).
  • 14 new NHs.
  • Over 415 km.
  • NH-81, 82, 83, 84 and 85.
  • MG Setu and Vikramshila are road-only.
  • Son at Koilwar.
  • Gandak.
  • 51,996 km.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: The six-lane Aunta-Simaria bridge, opened in August 2025, runs parallel to: Answer: Rajendra Setu.
  • Question: The Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur bridge connects Patna with: Answer: Vaishali.
  • Question: How many new NHs (2411 km) did the government decide to build? Answer: 14.
  • Question: With how many km of the new NHs does Bihar rank first? Answer: Over 415 km.
  • Question: Which new NHs pass through Bihar? Answer: NH-81 to 85.
  • Question: Which bridge is road-only? Answer: Mahatma Gandhi Setu.
  • Question: Abdul Bari Pul is on which river, at which place? Answer: Son, Koilwar.
  • Question: Bagaha-Chhitauni bridge is on which river? Answer: Gandak.
  • Question: After the 14 new NHs, India's total NH length would be how much? Answer: 51,996 km.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: The six-lane Aunta-Simaria bridge, opened in August 2025, runs parallel to:

Rajendra Setu (Mokama-Begusarai).

Question 2: The Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur bridge connects Patna with:

Vaishali (Bidupur, via Raghopur).

Question 3: How many new NHs (2411 km) did the government decide to build?

14 new NHs.

Question 4: With how many km of the new NHs does Bihar rank first?

Over 415 km.

Question 5: Which new NHs pass through Bihar?

NH-81, 82, 83, 84 and 85.

Question 6: Which bridge is road-only?

MG Setu and Vikramshila are road-only.

Question 7: Abdul Bari Pul is on which river, at which place?

Son at Koilwar.

Question 8: Bagaha-Chhitauni bridge is on which river?

Gandak.

Question 9: After the 14 new NHs, India's total NH length would be how much?

51,996 km.
Question 1 of 9

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

The six-lane Aunta-Simaria bridge, opened in August 2025, runs parallel to:

Rajendra Setu.

The Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur bridge connects Patna with:

Vaishali.

How many new NHs (2411 km) did the government decide to build?

14.

With how many km of the new NHs does Bihar rank first?

Over 415 km.

Which new NHs pass through Bihar?

NH-81 to 85.

Which bridge is road-only?

Mahatma Gandhi Setu.

Abdul Bari Pul is on which river, at which place?

Son, Koilwar.

Bagaha-Chhitauni bridge is on which river?

Gandak.

After the 14 new NHs, India's total NH length would be how much?

51,996 km.
Question 1 of 9