Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the roadways of Madhya Pradesh according to Basic Road Statistics 2018–19?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — D, 'This State ranks first in the country in road density' is the incorrect statement. Road density is measured as road length per unit area (e.g. km per 100 sq km), not total road length. Madhya Pradesh is India's second-largest state by area, with vast forested and tribal tracts, so even a large total road network translates into a below-average density — smaller, more urbanised states rank ahead of MP on density, so MP does not hold the top rank.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) This is the figure recorded for MP in Basic Road Statistics 2018–19 — a correct statement, not the one being asked for.  (b) Also a correct statement per the same statistics — not the false one.  (c) Also correct per the official figures — not the false one.

Concept: 'Basic Road Statistics of India', published periodically by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), classifies a state's road network into National Highways, State Highways, and District/Rural roads, and separately reports 'road density' — total road length divided by geographical area. A state can have a very large total road network (as MP does, being a large state) while still ranking low on density, because density is normalised for area.

State PCS 2023 Q79 — Madhya Pradesh GK PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2023 Q79 — Madhya Pradesh GK PYQ with Answer