Sethusamudram

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Sethu Samudram is a Tamil name, that translates as Sethu Sea. This sea separates Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka. The sea is composed of the Gulf of Mannar, and the Palk Strait, and a shoal of islands and bays that separate them, Rama's Bridge.

Both parts of the name are derived from Sanskrit, setu for bridge, and samudra for sea (see the Ramayana story for an explanation). The name may also be written as Sethu Samudram and Sethusamudram.

The sea is quite shallow, with a depth of less than 10 meters across most of its extent. Much of its seabed consists of limestone rock. It formed part of a land bridge that joined Sri Lanka to the continent of Asia during the last ice age.

It became newsworthy in 2005 with the launch by the government of India of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project.

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi has taken a special interest in this project. Project plans for three fishery harbours and one shipping harbour. Rameshwaram will become one of the largest harbours in India at the end of this project.

The strategic advantages to India derive from obtaining a navigable sea route close to the coast, with a reduction in travel distance of more than 350 nautical miles (650 km) (for larger ships). The project is expected to provide a boost to the economic and industrial development of coastal Tamil Nadu. The project will be of particular significance to Tuticorin harbour, which has the potential to transform itself into a nodal port. The State Government has announced its proposal to develop 13 minor ports, including Ennore, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thondi, Valinokam, Kolachel and Kanyakumari.

Development of the canal and ports is also expected to provide increased maritime security for Tamil Nadu.

[edit] Controversy

According to the Hindu scripture, Ramayana, Rama and his Vaanar Sena built a bridge from Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka thousands of years ago. Some Hindu organizations and religious figures, including the Shankaracharya of Puri, have opposed the project, pinting out that it would destroy the mythological "Ram Setu". ^[1]

Others have opposed the project on environmental grounds, and fears of the effect it will have on the livelihood of some 20 million fisherfolk in the coastal districts.^[2]