India has a long coastline spanning 7600 km. forming one of the biggest peninsulas in the world. The ancient ports in Easter India are: 1. Kolkata: The Port of Kolkata is a riverine port in the city of Kolkata, India. It is the oldest operating port in India, having originally been constructed by the British East India Company. The Port has two distinct dock systems - Kolkata Docks at Kolkata and a deep water dock at Haldia Dock Complex, Haldia. 2. Paradip Paradip is one of the Major Ports of India. The Port was opened to Traffic on 12th March 1966. Government of India declared Paradip as the Eighth Major Port of India on 18th April 1966 making it the FIRST MAJOR PORT in the East Coast commissioned after independence. 3. Visakhapatnam Its a one of the major port in India located at the mouth of river Meghadrigedda. The contsruction work started in 1927 continued upto 1933 and the first commercial vessel entered the Port on the 7th October, 1933. 4. Dhamra Dhamra is one of the most ancient ports on the eastern coast of India, its history dating back to 15th Century A.D. Earlier it was used for cargo transportation between North Orissa and Kolkata. After independence, Dhamra continued to be recognized as a minor port of Orissa. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ports_in_India http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata_Port_Trust http://www.paradipport.gov.in/about.php http://www.vizagport.com/History.html http://www.eco-dhamra.com/about-DPCL/dhamra-port.asp