INDIAN PORTS

The capacity of Indian ports increased from 20 million tonnes of cargo handling in 1951 to more than 837 million tonnes in 2016. Kandla Port situated at the head of Gulf of Kuchchh has been developed as a major port to cater to the needs of western and north-western parts of the country. Mumbai is a natural harbour and the biggest port of the country. The port is situated closer to the general routes from the countries of Middle East, Mediterranean countries, North Africa, North America, and Europe. Jawaharlal Nehru Port at Nhava Sheva was developed as a satellite port to relieve the pressure at the Mumbai port. Marmagao Port, situated at the entrance of the Zuari estuary, is a natural harbour in Goa. New Mangalore Port is in the state of Karnataka. Kochchi Port, situated at the head of Vembanad Kayal, popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, is also a natural harbour. Kolkata Port is located on the Hugli River. Tuticorin Port is situated in the Mahanadi delta, has the deepest harbour to handle very large vessels. Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh is a land-locked harbour, connected to the sea by a channel. Chennai Port is one of the oldest ports on the eastern coast. It is an artificial harbour built in 1859. Ennore, and Tuticorin Port a newly developed port in Tamil Nadu to relieve the pressure of Chennai port.