Which of the following features is common to both the Eastern and Western Coastal Plains of India?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Strategic location for major ports.
Explanation:
☛ Both the Eastern Coastal Plains and Western Coastal Plains have a strategic geographical location along key maritime trade routes, hosting numerous major and minor ports.
☛ The Western Coast borders the Arabian Sea and includes major ports such as Deendayal (Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Mormugao, New Mangalore, and Cochin.
☛ The Eastern Coast borders the Bay of Bengal and hosts major ports such as Kolkata-Haldia, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Kamarajar (Ennore), and V.O. Chidambaranar (Tuticorin).
☛ Backwaters (Kayals) and estuaries are distinctive features of the Western Coastal Plain (particularly the Malabar coast), whereas the Eastern Coastal Plain is characterized by large river deltas.
☛ Black soil (Regur) is predominantly found in the Deccan Trap region of the interior peninsula, not across coastal plains.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Western Coastal Plain: It is a narrow, submerged coastal plain lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, divided into Konkan, Kannad, and Malabar coasts.
☛ Eastern Coastal Plain: It is a broad, emergent coastal plain lying between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, divided into the Northern Circars and Coromandel Coast.
☛ Rivers flowing through the Western coast like Narmada and Tapi form estuaries due to high gradient, while rivers on the Eastern coast like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery form fertile deltas.
☛ Visakhapatnam Port: Located on the east coast, it is India's deepest landlocked and protected port.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which is the largest natural port in India? → Mumbai Port
☛ What are the coastal lagoons or backwaters of Kerala called? → Kayals (e.g., Vembanad Lake)
☛ Which is the only riverine major port in India? → Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata)
☛ The coast stretching from Daman to Goa is known as? → Konkan Coast
☛ Which is the largest brackish water lagoon located on the Eastern Coast of India? → Chilika Lake (Odisha)