Current Affairs
Daily Bits

Ram Setu

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    History & Culture
  • Published
    29th Sep, 2022

Context

Recently, Ram Setu has been at the centre of several controversies and legal cases.

 

About The Ram Setu

  • It is also known as Adam’s Bridge.
  • It is a 48-km chain of limestone shoals between Rameswaram on India’s southeast coast and Mannar Island near Sri Lanka’s northwest coast.
  • The structure has significance in both Hindu and Muslim mythology.
    • While Hindus believe this is the bridge (setu) built by Lord Ram and his army to cross to Lanka and fight Ravan.
    • As per Islamic legend, Adam used this bridge to reach Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka, where he stood on one foot for 1,000 years in repentance.
  • Scientists believe Ram Setu is a natural structure formed due to tectonic movements and sand getting trapped in corals.

About Sethusamudram project

  • The depth of the sea along the bridge varies between 3 feet and 30 feet, making navigation by sea-worthy vessels impossible in this stretch.
  • At present, ships bound for India's eastern coast have to circle around the entire island of Sri Lanka to reach Tuticorin, Chennai, Vizag, Paradip and other ports.
  • Therefore, a project titled Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project was mooted by the Government of India.
  • In 1997, the Government decided to go ahead with the project but only finalised it in 2005.
  • The successful completion of the project is expected to cut travelling by about 350 nautical miles and will save 10 to 30 hours' sailing time.
  • Plans were also drawn up to develop 13 minor ports in India, and fishing harbours and other infrastructure in both India and Sri Lanka.

Ecological arguments against the project

  • The Sethusamudram project has been opposed on environmental grounds.
  • Some claim that it will harm marine life, and that dredging of the line of shoals will make India’s coast more vulnerable to tsunamis.
  • In March 2018, the Centre told the Supreme Court that the Ram Setu will not be affected in the execution of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project.

Verifying, please be patient.

X