Ports along the 7,500-odd kilometer long peninsular coastline of India have suddenly become the cynosure of investor and public policy attention in India. Major technological changes, especially the containerization of cargo and the development of larger and deeper specialised vessels have revolutionised the seaport sector.

Developments of major/minor ports and fishery harbours consist of the construction of coastal structures like breakwaters, jetties, groynes and reclamation bunds. Developments of the ports also involve the dredging and disposal activities to maintain the required depths for navigation. These coastal structures and the dredging activities interfere in the coastal processes of the region. Modifications in the coastal processes have a large impact on the coastline. Major morphological impact is felt in the coastal region having a high rate of longshore littoral drift. Accumulation of sediments on the updrift side and erosion of the downdrift side is inevitable in these regions. Sand bypassing is one of the best solutions to mitigate this problem.