Structure:

Introduction: (upto 30 words) Mention the classification of the coasts into two types based on location and active geomorphological processes.

Body: (upto 100 words) Briefly write the reasons for deltas along the Easern coast and lack of deltas along the W coast

Conclusion: (upto 30 words) Point out that, the lack of Deltas makes the W Coast suitable for ports and harbours.

Supporting Points:

On the basis of the location and active geomorphological processes, the coastal plains can be broadly divided into two:

• The western coastal plains
• The eastern coastal plains.

Reasons for lack of deltas along the Western Coast:

1. The western coastal plains are an example of submerged coastal plain.
2. Most of the rivers flow eastward due to the tilting of the Plateau towards the Bay of Bengal. Therefore there are no big rivers to deposit sediments along the Eastern Coast
3. Most of the rivers flowing into the Arabian Sea originate from the W. Ghats and hence travel a very short distance before draining out into the Sea. Hence, they do not erode more and therefore do not carry a lot of sediments.
4. Since the Western Ghats runs parallel to the W. Coast and very close to it, the river profile is not very well developed and is mostly restricted to Vertical Aberration and hardly any lateral aberration takes place. Therefore the amount of sediments carried will also be less
5. The rivers draining into the Arabian Sea also flow very fast and hence not able to deposit sediments for delta formation.
6. The western coast does not have a gently sloping Continental shelf compared to Eastern coast for deposition of sediments.

Therefore, the rivers flowing through this coastal plain do not form any delta.

Reasons for Deltas along the Eastern Coast:

1. As compared to the western coastal plain, the eastern coastal plain is broader and is an example of an emergent coast.
2. There are well developed deltas here, formed by the rivers flowing eastward in to the Bay of Bengal.
3. The continental shelf extends up to 500 km into the sea and hence provides for deposition of sediments
4. The East flowing rivers are large rivers which flow hundreds of kilometers and carry a lot of sediments to develop deltas
5. The river profile is alos very well developed and there is both lateral and vertical aberration.
6. The east flowing rivers in the lower course flow very slowly with wide river banks and form fertile flood plains suitable for Delta formation

Therefore, the rivers flowing through this coastal plain form many deltas.

            However, the Eastern coast being emergent in nature is not suitable for development of deltas whereas the Western coast being a submerged coast is suitable for deltas.