city, northeastern Andhra Pradesh state, southern India. Although a seaport, it is now little used because the anchorage is 5 to 6 miles (8 to 10 km) offshore. Because it is situated in a shifting deltaic region, the port has to be constantly dredged to keep the seabed at a uniform depth of 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 metres). Kakinada is an exporter of cotton, peanuts (groundnuts), sugar, and tobacco and has a flour-milling plant and an iron factory. A salt-evaporating plant was constructed in the 1970s. The city has colleges affiliated with Andhra University. Pop. (2001) 296,329.