Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

India may clear new sea route to SL

15 October 2014 02:54 am - 3     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The vexed Sethusamudram project - which proposes to provide a navigable shipping channel across the Palk Straits between India and Sri Lanka - could see the light of day with the Centre set to clear an alternative route that avoids dredging through the Ram Setu.

Sources told HT that the Union cabinet will very shortly give its nod to the proposed new alignment, which will not damage the Ram Setu structure. The project, which would considerably reduce the time and distance travelled by ships between India’s west and east coast had led to acrimonious exchanges between the Congress and the BJP during the UPA-I regime over the proposal to dredge through the Ram Setu - a bridge believed to have been built by Lord Ram - considered a cultural and religious heritage.

Environmentalists had also opposed the project on the ground that destruction of the bridge would lead to loss of a rich thorium reserve in that area.  The Supreme Court had in 2010 stayed further work on the project. “Once the cabinet clears the alternate route, an affidavit will be filed in the Supreme Court,” said a source.

The Sethusamundran Ship Canal Project will create a navigable channel connecting the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay by dredging the stretch of shallow sea between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

The shipping ministry, which had appointed Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), a government consultancy firm, to do a pre-feasibility study has suggested that the government can use an already existing channel passing through the Pamban cantilever bridge that connects the town of Rameswaram to mainland India.

RITES has given two options: The first one involves dredging the channel without any modification to the rail bridge. This would allow ships of up to 3,000 tonne to pass through and would entail an investment of approximately Rs. 500 crore. The second option involves major restructuring of the bridge and deep dredging which would allow passage of ships of up to 8,000 tonne. (Source: Hindustan Times)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 3

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • mount Wednesday, 15 October 2014 09:36 AM

    SEE OUR POSITION....... WHY WE CANT ROUTE..... See our weakness.

    Kiri Gamarala Wednesday, 15 October 2014 04:55 AM

    First it was thought of as a security measure because India had doubts about Sri Lanka defeating LTTE. Now the tonnage indicates that it is both commercial and defense. With JJ out the center is now in a position to dictate terms.

    Indujaya Thursday, 16 October 2014 01:20 AM

    All ships can bypass SL. India never wants SL to develop. You see their all nuclear plants situated towards SL enabling effects to us. Damn ..foreign policy of the big brother..


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H