Which of the following is the deepest landlocked and well protected port in India?

Introduction / Context:

Ports are vital for India's foreign trade, and questions about their characteristics, locations, and special features are common in competitive exams. Some ports are natural, some are artificial, and some are especially deep and well protected. This question asks which port is known as the deepest landlocked and well protected port in India, a phrase that appears frequently in exam oriented geography references.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The options are Marmugao, Vishakhapatnam, Mumbai, and Cochin.
• We are looking for a port that is both deep and naturally well sheltered, often described as landlocked.
• We assume knowledge from standard Indian geography textbooks on major ports.
• Vishakhapatnam is a key port on the eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal.

Concept / Approach:

The concept is that Vishakhapatnam port on the Andhra Pradesh coast is frequently described as the deepest landlocked and well protected port in India. The term landlocked here does not mean fully surrounded by land without sea access, but rather that the harbour is naturally enclosed by land and headlands, providing shelter from storms and high waves. Its depth allows large ships to dock, and its natural protection makes it especially suitable for both commercial and naval use. Other ports like Mumbai, Cochin, and Marmugao are important but are not described using this exact phrase in standard exam texts.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

A good way to verify is to look at standard tables of Indian ports in exam guides, where next to Vishakhapatnam you often find the note that it is the deepest landlocked and well protected port. These sources highlight that the natural harbour is surrounded by hills and headlands which give it protection from strong winds and waves. The depth of the harbour permits large vessels and makes it a strategic naval base as well. No similar annotation is regularly linked to Marmugao, Mumbai, or Cochin in that exact form, confirming Vishakhapatnam as the right choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:

Students may confuse importance with specific characteristics and choose Mumbai because it is India's busiest port or Cochin because of its natural harbour. Another confusion arises from the term landlocked, which may be misunderstood as having no sea access; in this context, it refers instead to the harbour being surrounded and sheltered by landforms. Remembering the textbook phrase that Vishakhapatnam is the deepest landlocked and well protected port helps prevent these mistakes.

Final Answer:

The deepest landlocked and well protected port in India is Vishakhapatnam.