What are Ports?
Ports can be defined as a region that provides facilities to load and unload the passengers as well as cargo at international level. Water transport is the cheapest source of transportation at international level. According to the Ministry of Shipping, around 95 percent of the international level trade is done by maritime transport. We have 13 major ports in India and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports.
Major Ports in India
All ports of India are situated in the 9 coastal states of India namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Ports on the western coast |
Ports on the eastern coast |
| Mumbai | Chennai |
| Kandla | Kolkata |
| JNPT | Visakhapatnam |
| Mormugao | Paradip |
| Cochin | Ennore |
| Manglore | Tuticorin |
India has a coastline of 7516.6 kilometres, and one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) in the world. Most ports in India are wholly government-owned, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The few private ports are owned by Reliance Industries and the Adani Group etc.
Six new mega ports are also to be developed under the “Project Sagarmala”.
The majority of ports in India are located in these states :-
- Maharashtra -53
- Gujarat -40
- Tamil Nadu – 15
- Karnataka – 10
Important Major ports in India :-
Port |
State |
Features |
| Mumbai Port Trust | Maharashtra | a) It is the largest natural Port in India. b) Also the busiest port in India. |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu | a) It is second busiest port. b) It is an artificial Port. |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) or Nhava Sheva, (Navi Mumbai) | Maharashtra | a) It is largest artificial port. b) Also the largest container port in India. |
| Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port previously called as Kolkata port | West Bengal | a) It is India’s only riverine port situated on Hugli river. b) Also known as Diamond Harbour |
| Deendayal port (previously known as Kandla port). | Gujarat |
a) It is a tidal port. |
| Mangalore | Karnataka | Known for exports of iron ore. |
| Mormugao | Goa | It is situated on the estuary of the river Zuari. |
| Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh | a) It is the Deepest port of India. b) It deals with the export of iron ore to Japan. |
| V.O.Chidambaranar Port (previously known as Tuticorin port). | Tamil Nadu | It deals with the fertilizers and petrochemical products |
| Kochi or Cochin port | Kerala | Popular for exports of spices and salts. |
| Kamarajar port (previously called as Ennore port) | Tamil Nadu | It is India’s First corporatized port |
| Paradip | Odisha | a) It is a natural port. b) Situated on the confluence of Mahandai river and Bay of Bengal. |
| Port Blair | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | It is located in Andaman Sea. |
Attempt the questions and check your progress with the answer sheet given below and do let us know your score in the comments section :-
Question (A) : Which is the only riverine major seaport of India ?
- Kandla port.
- Chennai port
- Kolkata port
- Mormugao port
Question (B) : Which major port of India is called as tidal port ?
- JNPT
- Paradip port
- Kolkata port
- Kandla port.
Question (C) : Which of the following port is not a western coast port of India ?
- Cochin port
- Ennore port
- Mangalore port
- Mormugao port.
Question (D) : Which of the following port is not an eastern coast port of India ?
- Chennai port
- Visakhapatnam port
- Tuticorin port
- Jawaharlal Nehru port trust.
Question (E) : Ennore port is also called as ?
- Madras port
- Syama Prasad Mookerjee port
- Kamarajar port
- South port.
Question (F) : Which port is the only Indian port to be listed in the World’s top 30 Container ports?
- Kandla port
- Jawahar Lal Nehru port
- Chennai port
- Visakhapatnam port.
Answer A) :- 3 (Kolkata Port)
Answer (B) :- 4 (Kandla port)
Answer (C) :- 2 (Ennore port)
Answer (D) :- 4 (Jawahar Lal Nehru Port)
Answer (E) :- 3 (Kamarajar port)
Answer (F):- 2 (Jawahar Lal Nehru Port)
Pingback: Important national parks in India - gkcomplete.com
Pingback: Biosphere reserves in India - Gk Complete.com