Q1. [1] medium thorough-understanding
Which of the following correctly explains why Kolkata (Shyama Prasad Mookerjee) port requires constant dredging?
(a) It handles the largest volume of iron ore exports, which settles as sediment in the harbour.
(b) It is a tidal, riverine port on the Hooghly, where silt continuously accumulates in the channel.
(c) It was built as a subsidiary port and its approach channel was never fully completed.
(d) Its landlocked location means freshwater inflow raises the riverbed level over time.
- a It handles the largest volume of iron ore exports, which settles as sediment in the harbour.
- b It is a tidal, riverine port on the Hooghly, where silt continuously accumulates in the channel.
- c It was built as a subsidiary port and its approach channel was never fully completed.
- d Its landlocked location means freshwater inflow raises the riverbed level over time.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:37 · grounding rag
Model Answer
(b) It is a tidal, riverine port on the Hooghly, where silt continuously accumulates in the channel.
Explanation
The textbook states: "Being a tidal port, it requires constant dredging of Hooghly." Kolkata (Shyama Prasad Mookerjee) is an inland riverine port on the Hooghly. As a tidal, riverine location, silt naturally deposits in the channel, necessitating continuous dredging. Option (d) is wrong — it is not landlocked in the Vishakhapatnam sense. Option (c) describes Haldia (the subsidiary port), not Kolkata. Option (a) refers to iron ore ports like Mormugao/Paradwip, not Kolkata.