Coastline Correction: India’s Shoreline Gets 3,500 km Longer

India’s revised coastline length has been officially updated to 11,098.81 km, marking a dramatic 50% increase from the previously recorded 7,561.60 km. This revision isn’t due to any geographical expansion, but rather stems from a modernized, more precise methodology of measuring the nation’s coastal boundary.

According to a circular issued by the Union Ministry of Shipping, the recalculated figure incorporates enhanced mapping scales and previously omitted offshore islands and islets. The recalibration, based on a scale of 1:250,000 compared to the outdated 1:4,500,000 used in the 1970s, captures finer coastal features like inlets, bays, and minor undulations that older maps smoothed out.

What Led to the Change?

The push for reassessment began over a decade ago when discrepancies were observed among government agencies citing different coastline figures. The Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee had been deliberating on the issue since 2010. In 2019, the matter gained traction, ultimately resulting in a collaborative effort involving coastal states and union territories.

Who Was Involved?

Representatives from all coastal states and UTs participated in discussions. By January 2024, consensus had been achieved, and by September 2024, under the chairmanship of the Surveyor General of India, the updated length and its methodology were formally endorsed.

What’s Included Now?

A major contributor to India’s revised coastline length is the inclusion of 1,298 offshore islands and islets—entities previously unaccounted for. Their individual perimeters, particularly their high-water lines, were carefully mapped using fractal measurement techniques that consider every natural curve.

Where Are the Changes Most Noticeable?

The most significant increases were seen in regions like Gujarat (2,340.62 km) and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (3,083.50 km). These alone account for nearly half of the total coastline.

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When Was It Finalized?

The new figure was ratified in late 2024, after nationwide consultations. All stakeholders agreed that older measurement methods, which often used straight-line approximations, vastly underestimated the total length.

How Did the Methodology Shift?

The adoption of fractal analysis and high-resolution mapping means that natural features are now meticulously accounted for, resulting in longer but more accurate coastline data. Experts stress that India’s revised coastline length reflects improved technology, not physical geographic change.

“This doesn’t mean India’s physical territory has expanded. It’s a matter of recognizing what was always there—but now with better tools,” said a senior faculty member from a leading maritime university.

Length of Coastline by State/UT (in km):