List of the Major Ports in India: India, with its extensive coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, boasts a significant presence in the maritime industry. The country’s nine coastal states – Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu – house all of India’s ports. These ports play a pivotal role in facilitating the movement of containers and cargo across the country.
On the west coast, prominent ports such as Mumbai, Kandla, Mangalore, JNPT, Mormugao, and Cochin handle substantial volumes of maritime traffic. Meanwhile, on the east coast, Chennai, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Kolkata, and Ennore serve as major gateways for trade and commerce. Ennore, specifically, operates as a registered public company, with the government holding a significant 68% stake. Additionally, Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands further contributes to India’s maritime infrastructure.
Here’s a table summarizing the important ports in India based on the information provided:
List of Important Ports in India | |||
Zone | State | Port | Features |
Eastern Coast | Tamil Nadu | Chennai | Artificial Port, the Second busiest port |
Western Coast | Kerala | Kochi | Sited in the Vembanad Lake, exports spices and salts |
Eastern Coast | Tamil Nadu | Ennore | India’s First corporatized port |
Eastern Coast | West Bengal | Kolkata | India’s only major Riverine port, situated on Hugli River, known as Diamond Harbour |
Western Coast | Gujarat | Kandla | Known as Tidal Port, acknowledged as Trade Free Zone, largest port by volume of cargo handled |
Western Coast | Karnataka | Mangalore | Deals with iron ore exports |
Western Coast | Goa | Mormugao | Situated on the estuary of the river Zuari |
Western Coast | Maharashtra | Mumbai Port Trust | Largest Natural Port and harbor in India, busiest port in India |
Western Coast | Maharashtra | Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) | Largest Artificial Port, Largest Container Port in India (also known as Nhava Sheva, Navi Mumbai) |
Eastern Coast | Odisha | Paradip | Natural Harbor, deals with the export of iron and aluminum |
Eastern Coast | Tamil Nadu | Tuticorin | A major port in south India deals with fertilizers and petrochemical products |
Eastern Coast | Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam | The deepest port of India deals with the export of iron ore to Japan, amenities for building and fixing ships are available |
Bay of Bengal | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Port Blair | Connected to the mainland of India through ship and flight, situated between two international shipping lines: Saudi Arabia & US Singapore |
They are classified as such and administered by the Union Shipping Ministry.
These ports play a crucial role in facilitating India’s maritime trade and contribute significantly to the country’s economy.
These features and amenities contribute to the smooth functioning of ports and enhance the overall experience for port users and visitors.
These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on infrastructure development, promoting domestic manufacturing, enhancing logistics capabilities, and improving governance in the port sector to drive economic growth and facilitate trade.
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The smallest port in India is Port Blair, located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Situated in the Bay of Bengal, Port Blair serves as the capital and main port of the islands. It facilitates trade, tourism, and naval activities, despite its relatively small size.
The largest port in India is the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. As the premier container port in the country, JNPT handles a significant volume of cargo, facilitating both domestic and international trade. Its strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to its status as India’s largest port.
As it falls under the geography section of the syllabus. It is considered a static topic, meaning that the information about the ports remains relatively constant over time. Aspirants should study the major seaports in India in detail, including their location, significance, and characteristics.
To prepare for this topic, aspirants can refer to NCERT books for geography and other relevant UPSC books. The NCERT books provide a solid foundation and cover the basic concepts related to ports and their importance in India’s maritime trade. Additionally, practicing previous year’s question papers can give candidates an idea of the type of questions that may be asked in the exam.
It is essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the major ports in India, including their geographical locations, economic significance, and their role in facilitating international trade. This knowledge will not only help in answering direct questions but also in tackling analytical questions that require a deeper understanding of the topic.
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Jawaharlal Nehru Port
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