Which port city on the east coast of India is a deep, land locked natural harbour protected by surrounding hills?

Introduction / Context:
Port geography is important for understanding trade and maritime infrastructure. Along the east coast of India, some ports are open roadsteads while others are more protected natural harbours. Visakhapatnam is famous in textbooks as a deep, land locked natural harbour with strategic and commercial significance. This question tests recognition of that key feature.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The harbour in question is on the east coast of India. • It is described as a deep, land locked natural harbour. • Options list several major ports: Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Kolkata, Paradip and Tuticorin. • We rely on standard descriptions in Indian port geography.

Concept / Approach:
A land locked harbour is one that is surrounded by land on most sides and connected to the sea by a relatively narrow channel, making it naturally protected. Visakhapatnam, on the coast of Andhra Pradesh, is widely described as a deep, natural, land locked harbour formed by surrounding hills. Other ports mentioned have different characteristics, such as open roadstead or riverine settings.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall port descriptions from geography chapters. Visakhapatnam is often singled out for its land locked, natural harbour. Step 2: Chennai is an artificial harbour developed by constructing breakwaters along an open coast. Step 3: Kolkata lies inland along the Hooghly River and is a riverine port, not a land locked sea harbour in the same sense. Step 4: Paradip and Tuticorin are important ports but mainly developed with constructed facilities rather than being classic land locked natural harbours. Step 5: Therefore, Visakhapatnam is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard Indian geography books and exam guides explicitly state that Visakhapatnam is a deep and well protected land locked natural harbour. Port classification tables pair Visakhapatnam with this description, distinct from Chennai or Kolkata. Maps of the city show a bay protected by hilly terrain that reduces wave action and makes it suitable for a natural harbour.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Chennai: This is an artificial harbour on an open coast; breakwaters were built to create sheltered conditions. Kolkata: Located on the Hooghly River and is primarily a river port, not a sea facing land locked harbour. Paradip: A major port in Odisha but mainly a developed harbour with engineering works rather than a classic natural land locked harbour. Tuticorin: A port in Tamil Nadu constructed with modern facilities, not the textbook example of a land locked natural harbour on the east coast.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes choose Chennai because it is a very well known east coast port, ignoring the detail about natural land locked character. Others may confuse river ports and sea harbours, leading to wrong selection of Kolkata. Remember that the specific phrase land locked natural harbour is strongly associated with Visakhapatnam.

Final Answer:
The deep, land locked natural harbour on the east coast of India is at Visakhapatnam.