India:

Gulf of Mannar, Adam's Bridge, Palk Bay, Palk Strait, Bay of Bengal

Adam's Bridge separating Palk Strait from the Gulf of Mannar

Issues to be resolved [edit] Economic Some naval hydrographers and experts suggest that the project is unlikely to be financially viable or serve ships in any significant way. The savings for ships that originate from Kanyakumari or Tuticorin is between 10 and 30 hours. For ships from other destinations like the Middle East, Africa, Mauritius and Europe,the average savings by using this canal is just 8 hours. At the present tariff rates, ships from Africa and Europe will lose $ 4,992 on every voyage [3], as the savings in time for these ships are considerably lower than what is

calculated in the DPR. This loss is significant as 65% of the projected users of the canal are those from Africa and Europe. If tariffs are lowered to a point where ships from Africa and Europe will not lose any money from using the canal, the IRR of the project falls to 2.6%[4]. This is a level at which even public infrastructure projects are rejected by the government. Depth envisaged for this canal is designed for ships with weight of 30000 tonnes and less. Most of the new generation ships (with weight more than 60000 tonnes and tankers with weight above 150000 tonnes) cannot make use of this canal.[11] [edit] Cash crunch for the project Axis Bank Ltd. was appointed loan arranger for the project in 2005.Since its inception in 2004, costs have skyrocketed to at least Rs 4,000 crore, interest rates have crawled higher and old loan terms have lapsed.Even before the first dredger began its work in 2005, costs had already spiralled to more than Rs 3,500 crore. The loan sanctions, valid only up to Rs 2,400 crore, lapsed. To secure more money, Sethusamudram Corp. Ltd would have to return to the drawing board, draw up new reports, sit with parliamentary committees and receive fresh approval.[12] The project cost which originally stood at Rs 24,700 crore will now escalate by almost Rs 4,500 crore, a shipping ministry source said.[13] [edit] Environmental The Environmental Impact Assessment carried out by the Indian government On July 2, 2005, the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh unveiled the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project.The Project would disturb the ecological balance and would be the reason for the death of corals.It is also an important fishing ground for the state of Tamilnadu.There exists an Biological park in the vicinity of the proposed project. Local fishermen, Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike oppose the present route and are demanding alternative channels, which are available. They say the present channel would destroy marine life and corals. This will kill the trade in shankhas (conch shells) that has a turnover in excess of Rs 150 crore (Rs 1.5 billion) per annum. Invaluable thorium deposits would be affected, which are too important for our nuclear fuel requirements.

Professor Tad Murthy, the world renowned tsunami expert, who advised the Government of India on the tsunami warning system and edited the Tsunami Journal for over 20 years, has also warned that the present Setu Samudram route may result in tsunami waves hitting Kerala more fiercely. In a reply to a query regarding the Sethusanmudram's impact, he wrote, 'During the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004, the southern part of Kerala was generally spared from a major tsunami, mainly because the tsunami waves from Sumatra region travelling south of the Sri Lankan island, partially diffracted northward and affected the central part of the Kerala coast. Since the tsunami is a long gravity wave (similar to tides and storm surges) during the diffraction process, the rather wide turn it has to take spared the south Kerala coast. On the other hand, deepening the Sethu Canal might provide a more direct route for the tsunami and this could impact south Kerala.'

Putting a virtual stop to the controversial Sethusamudram canal project, the Supreme Court on April 21, 2010 decided to wait for a full and comprehensive Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) on the feasibility of an alternative route through Dhanuskodi instead of Ram Setu.[14]

[edit] Political and economic There have been concerns about the impact of dredging. Nevertheless, the economic benefits will be mutual for Sri Lanka as much as it is for India by reviving minor ports in Sri Lanka. Sethusamudram project could potentially allow economic benefits to this region. This is being viewed with mutual suspicion of both Sri Lankan and Tamil leaders. Further it is expected that in addition to Colombo, new ports to be developed near Jaffna. There has also been criticism expressed, on the basis that the project could damage relations with [Sri Lanka]. [edit] Religious This bridge is the site of Rama's Bridge, making it a religious monument of significance to the Hindus. While the age of the Ram Setu may be a matter of discussion, it commands high importance as a religious symbol in the minds of majority of Hindus. Nevertheless, the Govt. of India through Mr. Nariman submitted before the Supreme Court of India on 22 July 2008 that Kamba Ramayanam say that the bridge was

destroyed by Lord Ram so that no one can cross over to Sri Lanka and ships can sail through. The Telugu version of Ramayana also says Lord Ram destroyed the bridge. Rameshwaram was not a part of India and was a part of Lanka during Parakramabahu I's Regime. Place names like Rawana and Nuwara are existing in Sri Lanka. Udurawana and Yatirawana are found near Matale. Nuwara Eliya and Mahanuwara are big cities in Sri Lanka. Thus Ravana may not be a myth. Thus the story may be true. But bridge is a natural bridge and may not be an artificial one. Trivia A mysterious series of accidents have stalled the work. First, the dredging vessel Duck6 sank. It was replaced by the Dredging Corporation of Indias biggest dredging vessel, but its spud broke. Another ship was then sent to retrieve the spud, but its crane snapped and crashed into the sea

Basin countries

India, Sri Lanka, Maldives