Question

Equatorial bonds must be longer as that would explain the maximum possible distance where there would be minimum repulsion. But it's said that it's shorter as compared to axial/apical. How?

Answer 1

on the equatorial position the repulsion is less Between bonds so the bonds are small but the equatorial bonds repel axial bonds so axial bonds are long

Answer 2

First of all there are many explainations to this
However I would explain the one which personally understood and is simple to understand
1)We know that there are 3 equatorial bonds
2)2 axial bonds
3)There exist bond pair-bond pair type of repulsion between axial and equatorial bonds
Now the the amount of repulsion that the axial bonds get is from 3 equatorial bonds
However the 3 equatorial bonds get repulsion only from 2 axial bonds
As you know more the repulsion the further they go away(i.e becomes long)
So since axial bonds get repulsion from 3 bonds it's longer than the equatorial bonds
Hope it helps
:)