Which of the following ports is an artificial port?

Question

Which of the following ports is an artificial port?

1. A. Marmugao
2. B. Mumbai
3. C. Kochi
4. D. Chennai (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — Chennai

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Chennai.

Key Points

• Chennai (Madras) port is an artificial harbour — it has no natural shelter, so an artificial breakwater and enclosed basin had to be built out into the Bay of Bengal to protect ships from the open sea.
• It is one of the oldest artificial ports in India.
• In contrast, Marmugao (Goa), Mumbai and Kochi are natural harbours — they are protected by natural bays, creeks or lagoons.
• Mumbai is a natural deep-water harbour, Marmugao lies in the sheltered estuary of the Zuari river, and Kochi is a natural lagoon port on the Malabar coast.

Exam Tip

• a natural harbour is protected by the coastline's own shape, whereas an artificial harbour is created by human-built structures like breakwaters — which is exactly why Chennai is the odd one out here.

Additional Information

• Chennai has no natural shelter, so breakwaters were built to create an artificial harbour; it is India's second oldest port after Kolkata.
• Contrast the natural harbours: Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Paradip and Mormugao, which use natural bays or river mouths.
• Visakhapatnam is India's deepest port, and Kandla (Deendayal) a tidal port — the three categories together are a standard question set.