Which one of the following sections of the Golden Quadrilateral Highway in India is the longest in terms of route distance ?

The Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) is a massive road network connecting India's four major metropolitan cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, with a total length of approximately 5,846 km [3]. The project is divided into four distinct sections or arms with varying route distances. According to official data and geographical records, the Kolkata–Chennai section (Section II) is the longest arm of the quadrilateral, stretching approximately 1,684 km. In comparison, the Delhi–Kolkata section measures about 1,453 km, the Mumbai–Delhi section is approximately 1,419 km, and the Chennai–Mumbai section is the shortest at roughly 1,290 km. The Kolkata–Chennai route primarily follows National Highway 16 (formerly NH 5) and passes through the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu [2].

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Highways and Roads > p. 3
2. [3] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > National Highways Development Projects > p. 77
3. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Table 12.1 > p. 7