Sethusamudram
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sethusamudram (also Setusamudram, from Sanskrit; setu "bridge" and samudram "sea") is the sea that separates Tamil Nadu, India from Sri Lanka. It encompasses the Gulf of Mannar the Palk Strait, and a shoal of islands and bays that separate them called Ram Setu ("Rama Bridge", also known as Adam's Bridge). The name derives from the episode recounted in the Hindu epic, Ramayana, in which Rama's army builds a bridge to cross over from Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka.
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.
[edit] Canal project
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Sethusamudram 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.
