CAPF AC 2023 Q37: Geography – Transport & Infrastructure Geography
- (a) Chennai
- (b) Paradip
- (c) Tuticorin
- (d) Visakhapatnam
Answer: (d) Visakhapatnam
Explanation
Visakhapatnam port
How to think: the clue words are deepest, landlocked and protected.
A landlocked harbour sits behind a natural headland and is sheltered from storms.
The Dolphin's Nose hill at Visakhapatnam gives this shelter.
| Port | Coast | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai | East | Artificial harbour, one of the oldest |
| Paradip | East (Odisha) | Deep-water port on the Mahanadi delta, built after 1960s |
| Tuticorin | East (Tamil Nadu) | Artificial port, also known as V. O. Chidambaranar Port |
| Visakhapatnam | East (Andhra Pradesh) | Deepest landlocked and well-protected natural harbour |
It handles iron ore for export to Japan and is connected with the Bailadila mines.
Answer: (d) Visakhapatnam.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Chennai is an artificial harbour made behind breakwaters.
- (b) Incorrect. Paradip is a deep-water port, but it is not a landlocked natural harbour.
- (c) Incorrect. Tuticorin is also an artificial port.
- (d) CORRECT. Visakhapatnam is the deepest landlocked and protected port on the east coast.
Key point
Visakhapatnam: deepest landlocked, well-protected port on the east coast; natural harbour; Dolphin's Nose; iron ore exports. Kandla: tidal port on the west coast. Mormugao: natural harbour (Goa). Kolkata: riverine port on the Hugli.
Remember
Visakhapatnam = natural, landlocked, deepest on the east coast.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Chennai because it is the biggest city on the coast.
- Confusing deep-water (Paradip) with landlocked (Visakhapatnam).
- Forgetting that Chennai, Tuticorin and Ennore are artificial harbours.
Exam tip
Educated guess: NCERT's line on Visakhapatnam says it is 'the deepest landlocked and well protected port', and the phrase in the question is a copy of it. The others are described as artificial or tidal.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII Geography — India: People and Economy, Chapter 8 (Transport and Communication: major sea ports)
- Visakhapatnam Port Authority, Port profile (vpt.gov.in)