Source: ToI
Context: India’s coastline expanded by almost half in just over five decades from 7,516km in 1970 to 11,098km in 2023-24 according to Ministry of Home Affairs.
About Recalculated Coastline of India:
- Old vs. New Length: The coastline expanded from 7,516 km (1970) to 11,098 km (2023-24), marking a 47.6% increase.
- Revised Parameters: Updated methodology incorporates bays, estuaries, inlets, and other geomorphological features, replacing the older straight-line measurement approach.
- Leading States:
- Gujarat: Increased from 1,214 km to 2,340 km, contributing the most.
- West Bengal: Notable rise of 357%, from 157 km to 721 km.
- Tamil Nadu: Revised to 1,068 km, overtaking Andhra Pradesh’s 1,053 km.
- Puducherry: Decreased by 4.9 km (10.4%), marking a rare contraction.
- Smallest Increase: Kerala, with an addition of just 30 km (5%).
- Ministry: The recalculation was conducted under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), guided by the National Maritime Security Coordinator.
- Methodology Update:
- Based on data from the National Hydrographic Office and Survey of India.
- Employs advanced technologies for precise measurements, providing a dynamic understanding of the coastline.
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