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Q96 (IAS/2016) Geography › Indian Economic Geography › Ports and shipping Official Key

Recently, which of the following States has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to sea by a long navigational channel?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

Rajasthan, despite being a landlocked state, has explored the concept of an artificial inland port.[1] This is a unique infrastructure initiative where a landlocked state considers building an inland port facility that would be connected to the sea through a long navigational channel. The concept aims to improve logistics and trade connectivity for landlocked regions by providing access to maritime transport routes without having a natural coastline.

Among the given options, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka already have natural sea coasts, making the concept of connecting to the sea via a "long navigational channel" less relevant for them. Chhattisgarh, while also landlocked, did not explore this particular concept. Rajasthan stands out as the state that explored this innovative possibility of an artificial inland port[1], demonstrating creative thinking in overcoming geographical limitations for trade and commerce enhancement.

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Q. Recently, which of the following States has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to sea by …
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 10/10
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This question is a classic 'Geographical Anomaly' test. It bridges Current Affairs (the 2015-16 proposal) with Static Geography (Canal systems). It rewards aspirants who spot 'counter-intuitive' infrastructure projects—specifically, a desert state attempting to become a maritime entity.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
In 2016, did the Government of Andhra Pradesh explore constructing an artificial inland port connected to the sea by a long navigational channel?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Ans: d Exp: Rajasthan, despite being a landlocked state, has explored the concept of an artificial inland port."
Why this source?
  • Contains the 2016 question exactly matching the claim and gives the official answer.
  • Explicitly names Rajasthan (not Andhra Pradesh) as the state that explored an artificial inland port.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"State Government of Andhra Pradesh has awarded the work for conducting delineation survey and assessment of the land required for widening, construction of terminal etc., for developing the existing canal system for navigation on NW-4."
Why this source?
  • Describes Andhra Pradesh awarding work for surveys and development of existing canal system for navigation (NW-4).
  • Shows Andhra Pradesh pursued canal/navigation projects, but does not state it explored an artificial inland port connected by a long sea channel.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Sagarmala Programme > p. 24
Strength: 4/5
“In order to harness the coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes, the Government of India has embarked this programme to promote port-led development in the country. The objectives of the programme include port modernisation, new port development, port connectivity, coastal community development, etc.”
Why relevant

Describes the Sagarmala programme which promotes new port development and port-led connectivity as a central government policy encouraging port projects.

How to extend

A student could check whether Andhra Pradesh proposals in 2016 were submitted or funded under Sagarmala or listed as new port/port-connectivity projects.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > Inland Waterways > p. 81
Strength: 4/5
“For the development, maintenance and regulation of national waterways in the country, the Inland Waterways Authority was set up in 1986. In order to create wide waterways network and to promote inland water transport in the country as an economical, environment friendly supplementary mode of transport to rail and road, 111 inland waterways (including 5 national waterways declared earlier, Table 7.3) were declared as National Waterways (NWs) by the National Waterways Act, 2016. (Source: Annual Report, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Govt. of India, 2022-23) • Waterways: NW 1; Stretch: Prayagraj–Haldia stretch (1,620 km); Specification: It is one of the most important waterways in India, which is navigable by mechanical boats up to Patna and by ordinary boats up to Haridwar.”
Why relevant

Notes the 2016 National Waterways Act and a focus on creating a wide waterways network, showing 2016 was a year of formal national-level emphasis on inland waterways.

How to extend

One could examine National Waterways declarations or state proposals from 2016 to see if Andhra Pradesh proposed an inland port/channel then.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Adam's Bridge (Ram Sethu) > p. 25
Strength: 4/5
“The Adam's Bridge or Ram Sethu is a discontinuous chain of sandbars dotting 30 km stretch in the east-west direction between the southern tip of Rameswaram Island in India and Talaimannar in north-western Sri Lanka. It creates a geological divide between the Palk-Bay and the Gulf of Mannar which form part of the southern Kaveri Basin in the Bay of Bengal (Fig. 12.8). The 'Sethu-Samudram Ship Channel Project (SSCP)' of the Government of India envisages the dredging of the shallow ocean region in the Bay of Bengal to create an artificial 167 km long 300 m wide and 12 m deep channel like passage”
Why relevant

Describes the Sethu-Samudram Ship Channel Project: creation of a long artificial channel by dredging, providing an example of large-scale artificial maritime channels envisioned by government.

How to extend

Compare the technical scale (length/width/depth) and policy rationale of the Sethu project to any Andhra Pradesh proposal to judge feasibility and precedent.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Adam's Bridge (Ram Sethu) > p. 26
Strength: 3/5
“Manmohan Singh. The Channel project, when developed and completed cut down steaming time and fuel costs, and galvanised traffic for 15 small, neglected seaports in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. The fortunes of Tuticorin Port and town improved dramatically from the transshipment of containers that originated from or are destined for ports on the coast of India. Moreover, the Indian Navy needs a channel in India's own territorial waters.”
Why relevant

States that a Channel project would cut steaming time, fuel costs and boost traffic for small seaports including those in Andhra Pradesh, indicating such channel projects are proposed to benefit AP ports.

How to extend

Use this pattern to see if Andhra Pradesh specifically proposed an inland port/channel in 2016 to obtain similar economic benefits.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Proposed Navigation Canal between Sanchore (Rajasthan) and Lakhpat (Gujarat) > p. 29
Strength: 4/5
“Planning of the navigation canal though in the initial phase but the officials claim that the project is economically viable and geographically sustainable. The length of the canal will be about 300 km between Lakhpat and the Sanchore town in Jalore District of Rajasthan. The navigation channel would be about 300 meter wide and about 25 meter deep. It would start from the tip of Lakhpat at Kori Creek in Arabian Sea, run through the Rann of Kachchh and joins Sanchore, about 135 km from the district headquarters of Jalore (Rajasthan). In the construction of the navigation canal, the government has to examine are geostrategic aspect also as the project is very close to international border.”
Why relevant

Gives a concrete example of a state planning a long navigation canal (Rajasthan-Lakhpat), showing Indian states do consider constructing long inland-sea navigation channels.

How to extend

A student could search state-level planning documents from 2016 to see if Andhra Pradesh had analogous canal/port proposals.

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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