In October 2016, the 1500 km long Urja Ganga gas pipeline project was launched in which Indian city?

Introduction / Context:
The Urja Ganga gas pipeline project is a major energy infrastructure initiative aimed at bringing natural gas to several states in eastern India. Large pipeline projects like this support industries, city gas networks and cleaner fuel usage. This question checks whether you remember the launch city where the project was formally inaugurated in October 2016, which also had political and symbolic importance.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The project name given is Urja Ganga, a 1500 kilometre long gas pipeline project.

- The launch month and year, October 2016, are mentioned.

- Options include Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Ghaziabad, Varanasi and Patna, all major cities in northern or western India.

- It is assumed that you have followed basic current affairs about energy and infrastructure during that period.

Concept / Approach:
Large national level projects are often launched in politically important locations. Urja Ganga was planned to supply gas to parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. The project was inaugurated in Varanasi, a major city in eastern Uttar Pradesh and an important political constituency at that time. New Delhi is often involved in policy announcements, but this particular project launch took place in Varanasi. Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad and Patna were not the launch venues recorded in standard current affairs material.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that the project aims at improving gas connectivity in the eastern part of the country, including eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Step 2: Recall that Varanasi, located in eastern Uttar Pradesh, was repeatedly mentioned in news reports about the launch of the Urja Ganga project. Step 3: Consider that New Delhi, although the national capital, was not highlighted as the physical launch site in most reports. Step 4: Ahmedabad is a major city in Gujarat, which already has significant gas infrastructure and is not the primary focus of Urja Ganga, making it an unlikely answer. Step 5: Ghaziabad and Patna are important cities, but you are unlikely to find them mentioned as the inauguration site in standard exam summaries. Step 6: Based on this recall, select Varanasi as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative Check:
You can support your choice by remembering how exam magazines in 2016 and 2017 presented this fact. Under schemes and projects, they listed Urja Ganga and wrote that it was launched in Varanasi. They often added that the project would help supply gas to households and industries in eastern India. No similar association is made with Delhi or Ahmedabad in those notes. This consistent link between Urja Ganga and Varanasi confirms that Varanasi is the right option for this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ahmedabad is in Gujarat and is not typically mentioned as the launch city for the Urja Ganga pipeline, which targets eastern states. New Delhi may have hosted policy announcements, but the project was ceremonially launched in Varanasi. Ghaziabad lies near Delhi in western Uttar Pradesh and is not the city named in connection with the inauguration. Patna is a significant beneficiary region in Bihar but is not recorded as the city where the scheme was launched in October 2016.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students automatically choose New Delhi for any big national project, forgetting that launches are often held in specific states to highlight regional development. Others may see eastern focus and guess Patna. To avoid such errors, make a small list of big infrastructure projects and their launch cities, such as Urja Ganga in Varanasi, for quick revision before the exam. This makes it easier to recall the correct city even under time pressure.

Final Answer:
The 1500 kilometre long Urja Ganga gas pipeline project was launched in Varanasi in October 2016.