Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
India possesses a vast coastline of approximately 7,517 km, which is dotted with 13 major ports and about 200 non-major (minor/intermediate) ports. Major ports are under the jurisdiction of the Central Government, while minor ports fall under State Governments. These ports serve as gateways for international trade, handling over 90% of India's foreign trade by volume. Each port has unique geographical characteristics—some are natural harbors while others are man-made (artificial).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze each statement provided in the question:
Statement i: Kandla is a tidal port in Gujarat.
This is correct. Kandla Port, located in the Gulf of Kutch, was the first port to be developed after Independence to ease the pressure on Mumbai port and to compensate for the loss of Karachi port to Pakistan. It is a tidal port, meaning its operations are significantly influenced by the ebb and flow of tides. It is a major hub for petroleum and fertilizers.
Statement ii: Mumbai is the biggest port with a spacious natural harbor.
This is correct. Mumbai is the premier port of India. It is a natural deep-water harbor that is protected by the mainland on one side and the island of Mumbai on the other. It handles a massive volume of cargo, leading to the development of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) nearby to decongest it.
Statement iii: Chennai is an artificial port on the east coast.
This is correct. Chennai is one of the oldest ports in India, but unlike Mumbai, it does not have a natural harbor. It is an artificial harbor created by building concrete breakwaters into the sea to provide a sheltered area for ships. It is the second-largest container port in India.
Statement iv: Paradip port specializes in the export of iron ore to America.
This is incorrect. Paradip Port, located in Odisha, is indeed a deep-water port that specializes in the export of iron ore. However, its primary export destinations are Japan and South East Asian countries due to geographical proximity, rather than America. The iron ore comes from the rich mines of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Therefore, statements i, ii, and iii are factually accurate, making option (A) the right choice.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Based on the geographical and functional analysis, statements i, ii, and iii are correct. Statement iv is false because the primary destination for Paradip's iron ore exports is East Asia, not America.