Correct Option (c):
Assertion (A) is true. West-flowing rivers of Peninsular India, such as the Narmada and Tapi, generally do not form deltas. Instead, they form estuaries. This is primarily due to their flow through rift valleys, which results in steep gradients, hard rock beds, and short courses across narrow coastal plains. These conditions lead to high flow velocity and insufficient time or space for the extensive deposition of sediments required for delta formation.
Reason (R) is false. These rivers do carry alluvial sediments. However, due to the factors mentioned above (steep gradient, high velocity, short course), the transported sediments are either carried into deeper waters of the Arabian Sea or deposited within the estuarine channels, rather than accumulating at the river mouth to build a deltaic plain.
Since Assertion (A) is true and Reason (R) is false, option (c) is the correct answer.
Incorrect Options:
Options (a) and (b) are incorrect because they state that Reason (R) is true. As established, west-flowing rivers do carry sediments, making Reason (R) factually incorrect.
Option (d) is incorrect because it states that Assertion (A) is false. West-flowing rivers like Narmada and Tapi are indeed known for forming estuaries and not deltas, making Assertion (A) true.