Context:

• In its 2023–24 report, the Ministry of Home Affairs revised India’s coastline length to 11,099 km, an increase from the previously reported 7,516.6 km.
• This change is not due to any physical expansion of land, but rather the result of improved mapping accuracy—illustrating the coastline paradox, where finer measurement scales reveal greater lengths.

India’s Coastline Length (Updated):

• Previous Estimate: 7,516.6 km (based on 1970s maps, scale 1:4,500,000)
• Updated Length (Dec 2024): 11,098.8 km
• Coverage: 11 coastal states and 2 union territories (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep)
• Highlight: Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states (~1,600 km)
• Note: No addition of new land—national borders and geological features remain unchanged.

Coastline Measurement Methodology:

• Responsible Agencies: National Hydrographic Office (NHO) and Survey of India
• Technologies Applied:
  • Electronic navigation charts at 1:250,000 scale
  • Advanced tools including GIS, LIDAR-GPS mapping, drone imagery, and satellite altimetry
• Reference Baseline: High-water line based on 2011 data, with river mouths closed at standardized inland points
• Features Included: Tidal creeks, estuaries, sandbars, and islands exposed during low tide

Implications for India:

1. Maritime Security
   • A longer coastline increases the area requiring surveillance and protection, reinforcing the need for systems like the post-26/11 coastal radar grid.
   • Calls for reassessment of coastal policing strategies and naval deployment.
2. Disaster Management
   • Crucial for improving preparedness against cyclones, tsunamis, and sea-level rise—exemplified by Odisha’s robust early warning systems.
   • Enables more accurate Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) mapping and planning.
3. Economic Zoning
   • Influences the delineation of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the distribution of fishing rights.
   • Offers coastal states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala greater opportunities in the blue economy sector.
4. Infrastructure Planning
   • Provides critical data for optimizing port development, shipping routes, and coastal tourism initiatives, such as the Sagarmala project.

Significance of the Increased Coastline Length:

• Scientific Advancement: The increase reflects improved accuracy from modern mapping technologies—not territorial expansion.
• Informed Policy-Making: Enables data-driven decisions for coastal development, environmental protection, and climate resilience.
• Maritime Identity: Reinforces India’s strategic vision of becoming a leading Blue Economy nation.

Source: The Hindu