Question

The deepest land-locked and protected port in India is:
A. Mormugao
B. Visakhapatnam
C. Mumbai
D. Cochin

Answer 1

Hint:
> This is Andhra Pradesh’s only major port.
> It is the third largest state-owned port in India by amount of cargo handled and the largest on the eastern coast.
> This port was opened on 7 October 1933.

Complete answer:
The port of Visakhapatnam is one among the 13 major ports in India and is situated between the ports of Chennai and Kolkata. Even though the need to construct a port on the east coast for access to the Central Provinces was felt by the British in the 19th century, the idea of Col. H. Cartwright Reid was accepted by the Government only after the First World War of the British Admiralty to construct a port at Visakhapatnam.

The port of Visakhapatnam has three ports-the outer harbour, the inner harbour and the fishing port. The major commodities in this port include Iron ore, manganese ore, steel products, general cargo, coal and crude oil.

The given options are as follows.

Mormugao Port Trust is a port situated on the western coast of India, in the coastal state of Goa. Commissioned in 1885 on the site of a natural harbour, it is one of the oldest ports in India. Thus, choice A is not the correct answer.

Visakhapatnam is the deepest landlocked and well-protected harbour. This port was originally planned as an outlet for the export of iron ore. Thus, choice B is the correct answer.

Mumbai Port is situated in the centre of the western coast of India, in the deep-water natural harbour of Mumbai, Maharashtra. It's the largest port in India. Therefore, Option C is not the right option.

Cochin Port is a major port as well as one of the largest ports in India. It is also India's first transshipment terminal. Thus, option D is also not a right alternative.

Therefore, the correct answer is C

Note:
The Dolphin's Nose Hill to the north of the entrance canal defends the port from the cyclones that threaten the east coast.

The opening of the port of Gangavaram, situated 15 km from the port of Visakhapatnam, has led to a major diversion of traffic away from the port of Visakhapatnam. This loss of freight traffic is an important factor for the port to fall from its status as India's largest port.

Inorder to decongest traffic in Visakhapatnam, The Visakhapatnam Port Trust plans to establish a satellite port in Bheemunipatnam.