This question asks to identify which of the given Indian ports is situated along the West Coastal Plain. Let's analyze the locations of the ports mentioned in the options.

Understanding India's Coastal Plains

India has a long coastline extending over 7,500 kilometers. This coastline is broadly divided into two major regions: the Eastern Coastal Plain and the Western Coastal Plain.

• The Eastern Coastal Plain lies between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. It is wider and generally flatter.
• The Western Coastal Plain lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. It is narrower and characterized by features like estuaries and lagoons.

Analyzing Port Locations

We need to determine which port falls within the geographical boundaries of the West Coastal Plain.

Ports on the East Coastal Plain

• Visakhapatnam: This major port is located on the eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh, bordering the Bay of Bengal. It is situated on the East Coastal Plain.
• Paradip: Located in the state of Odisha, Paradip Port is also on the eastern coast, facing the Bay of Bengal. It lies on the East Coastal Plain.
• Kolkata: While Kolkata is an inland port situated on the banks of the Hooghly River, it is functionally linked to the Bay of Bengal and the eastern deltaic region. Geographically, it is associated with the Eastern Coastal region, not the West Coastal Plain.

Ports on the West Coastal Plain

• Mangalore: Also known as New Mangalore Port, it is located in the state of Karnataka, on the western coast of India, facing the Arabian Sea. This places it firmly on the West Coastal Plain.

Conclusion on Port Location

Based on the geographical analysis, Mangalore is the port that is located on the West Coastal Plain. The other ports listed (Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Kolkata) are associated with the East Coast or the eastern deltaic region.