Ram stands at a point facing north. He walks forward for one hour, then turns left and walks for half an hour. He then rotates $$90^{\circ\ }$$ clockwise and walks for another half-an-hour, after which he turns $$90^{\circ\ }$$ clockwise and walks for an hour, after which he walks in the south direction for an hour. What is the shortest time (approximately)  it would take him to reach the starting point?

(Assume that the walks at constant speed throughout.)

Let's assume that he moves s meters every 30 minutes. 

So he first travels 2s meters to the north, then turns left, facing west and walks s meters in that direction, after which he turns 90 degrees clockwise, now facing north again and walks s meter again. 

Then turns 90 degree clockwise yet again, facing east and walks 2s meters, and then turns towards south and walks 2s meters in that direction. 

So, he is essentially s meters north and s meters east of his original position. 

So he is $$s\sqrt{\ 2}$$ m away from the starting point. 

This would take him approximately $$30\times\ \sqrt{\ 2}\approx\ 30\times\ 1.41\approx\ 42$$ minutes. 

Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.