What was the main reason for the development of Kandla port soon after Independence?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → To reduce the pressure of Mumbai port and to cater the needs of north western India.
Option (1) Nearness to market — Incorrect. Kandla was built to make up for the loss of Karachi port, not for a market at its doorstep.
Option (2) Easy to construct — Incorrect. The port was built out of need after Partition, not because the site was easy.
Option (3) To cater to the needs of the northern and north eastern parts of the country. — Incorrect. Kandla lies on the Gulf of Kuchchh on the west coast, far from the north-east.
Option (4) To reduce the pressure of Mumbai port and to cater the needs of north western India. — Correct. Partition took Karachi port to Pakistan, so the trade of western and north-western India fell on Mumbai port. Deendayal Port (Kandla) was developed as a major port to give this region a port of its own: it caters to the needs of western and north-western parts of the country, and the trade it handles reduces the pressure at Mumbai port. It is designed to receive large quantities of petroleum and fertiliser.
NCERT (2025-26): “Sea Ports as Gateways of International Trade … Deendayal Port (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 and also to reduce the pressure at Mumbai port. The port is specially designed to receive large quantities of petroleum and petroleum products and fertiliser. The offshore terminal at Vadinar has been developed to reduce the pressure at the port.…” |