Longest and Shortest Coastlines in India

Coastlines: Mainland States Only (Excluding Union Territories and Islands)

Longest State Coastline: Gujarat dominates India’s mainland coastline with 2,340.62 km, making it the undisputed coastal champion among Indian states. The state’s extensive coastline along the Arabian Sea includes the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Khambhat, and numerous creeks, especially in the Kutch region. Gujarat’s coastline nearly doubled from 1,214.7 km to 2,340.62 km (+1,125.92 km, +92.7%) under the new measurement methodology, reflecting the complex geography of its marshy coastlands, tidal creeks, and industrial ports. This extensive coastline has been instrumental in Gujarat’s emergence as India’s premier maritime and industrial state.

Shortest State Coastline: Goa, India’s smallest state, naturally has the shortest mainland coastline at 193.95 km along the Arabian Sea. However, despite being the shortest, Goa showed remarkable growth in the revised measurements, nearly doubling from 101 km to 193.95 km (+92.95 km, +92.0%). This dramatic increase reflects the detailed mapping of Goa’s numerous beaches, river estuaries, and coastal indentations that make it one of India’s most popular coastal tourism destinations. The state’s compact but geographically diverse coastline includes sandy beaches, rocky headlands, and river mouths that were comprehensively measured for the first time.

Coastlines: Overall (Including Union Territories and Islands)

Longest Coastline: Andaman & Nicobar Islands leads India’s coastal regions with an impressive 3,083.50 km of coastline, representing nearly 28% of the country’s total coastal length. This vast archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, comprising over 570 islands, showcases the most complex and extensive coastline in India. The significant increase from 1,962 km to 3,083.50 km (+1,121.50 km) demonstrates how advanced satellite mapping revealed the intricate coastal geography of these remote islands, including numerous bays, inlets, and small island formations that were previously unmeasured.

Shortest Coastline: Puducherry holds the distinction of having India’s shortest coastline at just 42.65 km. This small Union Territory, consisting of four coastal enclaves (Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe), showed minimal change in the revised measurements, increasing by only 0.15 km from its previous measurement of 42.5 km. Despite its compact size, Puducherry’s coastline represents important cultural and economic centers along India’s southeastern coast.

Why the Dramatic Change?

Advanced Measurement Methodologies

The primary reason for this substantial increase lies in the adoption of sophisticated measurement techniques that replace the older, more simplistic approaches used in the 1970s.

Traditional Method (1970s):

• Straight-line measurements between major coastal points
• Limited consideration of coastal indentations
• Basic surveying equipment with lower precision
• Exclusion of many small-scale coastal features

Modern Method (2023-24):

• High-resolution satellite imagery analysis
• Detailed mapping of every coastal irregularity
• Integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Inclusion of previously unmapped offshore islands and coastal features

Enhanced Feature Recognition

The new measurements incorporate numerous geographical features that were previously overlooked or inadequately measured:

• Bays and gulfs: Detailed tracing of curved coastlines
• Estuaries: Complete mapping of river mouths and tidal areas
• Inlets and fjords: Precise measurement of water bodies extending inland
• Offshore islands: Integration of India’s numerous coastal and oceanic islands
• Mangrove areas: Detailed coverage of complex mangrove coastlines
• Rocky outcrops: Inclusion of small coastal formations

Implications of the Revised Coastline

Maritime Security Enhancement

The updated coastline data provides crucial information for:

• Border patrol operations: More accurate coverage areas for coast guard activities
• Surveillance planning: Enhanced understanding of coastal vulnerabilities
• Defense strategies: Improved maritime security frameworks

Disaster Management and Planning

• Tsunami preparedness: Better evacuation planning with accurate coastal mapping
• Cyclone impact assessment: Improved storm surge modeling capabilities
• Coastal erosion monitoring: More precise baseline data for environmental changes

Blue Economy Development

• Fisheries management: Enhanced understanding of fishing zones and marine resources
• Port development: Better planning for coastal infrastructure projects
• Tourism promotion: Comprehensive mapping for coastal tourism development
• Marine conservation: Improved data for protected area management

Scientific and Research Benefits

• Climate change studies: More accurate baseline for sea-level rise monitoring
• Coastal geomorphology: Enhanced understanding of coastal processes
• Biodiversity mapping: Better coastal ecosystem documentation

Future Updates and Maintenance

Decadal Review Cycle

Starting from 2024-25, India has established a systematic approach to coastline data maintenance:

• Regular updates: Coastline data will be revised every 10 years
• Technology integration: Continuous incorporation of advancing mapping technologies
• Dynamic monitoring: Real-time tracking of significant coastal changes

Ongoing Monitoring

The new system will enable:

• Change detection: Identification of coastal erosion or accretion
• Environmental impact assessment: Monitoring of human activities on coastlines
• Policy support: Data-driven coastal management decisions

India’s coastline revision represents a paradigm shift in geographical understanding, driven by technological advancement rather than territorial expansion. The increase from 7,516.6 kilometers to 11,098.8 kilometers—a substantial 47.6% growth—demonstrates the transformative power of modern mapping technologies and comprehensive measurement methodologies.

This revision is not merely a statistical update but a foundation for enhanced maritime security, improved disaster preparedness, sustainable coastal development, and evidence-based policy making. As India continues to develop its blue economy and strengthen its maritime presence, this accurate baseline data will prove invaluable for strategic planning and resource management.

The establishment of a decadal review cycle ensures that India’s coastline data will remain current and accurate, supporting the nation’s growing maritime ambitions and coastal management responsibilities. This comprehensive remapping exercise sets a new standard for geographical precision and demonstrates India’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology for better governance and security.

The 3,582.2-kilometer addition to India’s coastline, while existing all along, now receives the recognition and attention it deserves, opening new possibilities for coastal development, conservation, and strategic planning in the years ahead.