Is Bihar’s Lack of a Coast Slowing Its Development?
Bihar is one of India’s poorest states, and many people wonder if its landlocked location is a major reason for its underdevelopment. Unlike coastal states that have access to ports and international trade, Bihar is surrounded by land on all sides. This makes transportation of goods slower and more expensive, which can hurt business and job growth.
However, experts say landlockedness is only one of many reasons. Other important factors include weak infrastructure, poor governance, low industrial growth, and high population pressure. States like Punjab and Haryana are also landlocked but have developed better due to strong farming and industry.
Bihar has potential—its young population, rich culture, and rivers like the Ganga can support growth. With better roads, railways, education, and investment, Bihar can overcome the challenges of being landlocked. So, geography plays a role, but development depends more on policy and planning.
