THE SETHUSAMUDRAM shipping canal project has been approved by the government of India and work is all set to begin near the Kodhanda Ram temple. The project involves linking Palk Gulf and Gulf Mannar through a shipping canal off Rameshwaram Island. This will allow ships and boats to navigate through the passage between India and Sri Lanka without having to circle Sri Lanka (as is being done presently). This may save about 400 nautical miles of voyage on the west coast.

This project will connect the national sea route. It will also connect the national highways. The route that the ships take will be shortened as a result. Rs. 21 crores per year by way of fuel expenditure incurred in respect of the ships will be saved. Today India imports a huge quantity of crude oil. Saving fuel will save foreign currency. Since the time taken by the ships will decrease by 16 hours, the number of ships that will opt for the proposed route is expected to increase.

Pictures taken by NASA [The National Aeronautics & Space Administration], USA from the space, show the remains of what appears to be an age-old, man-made bridge between Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka. According to Hindu scriptures and belief, Lord Ram and his Vaanar Sena built a bridge from Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka 17, 25,000 years ago. The discovery of Shri Ram Sethu by NASA confirms what is stated in the Hindu scriptures and the commonly-held belief.  It also confirms that Ramayan is not "mythology" as is often construed but "history".

The Sethusamudram project is based on the notion that it is inevitable to dismantle the Shri Ram Sethu for easy navigation. This will amount to damaging a monument of historical and religious importance.

According to experts, a sea route may be prepared for navigation without damaging the Sri Ram Sethu, by removing the barren sand heaps near Mandapam village between Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi. This will not only provide a shorter route for navigation but also protect the oldest man-made heritage.

The President of Bharat is requested to order the redesigning of the project keeping in view the historical and religious importance of Shri Ram Sethu, the sentiments of the people of India and the alternative suggested (to shorten the sea route).  I also want to put the following questions to the government:

Questions to Government:

1. Why was the Metro route passing ’close’ to Qutub Minar in New Delhi, modified and later reworked fearing prospective damages to this 815- year old man-made monument?