Frequently asked questions on the Project Sethusamudram are listed below:
1. What is the Adams Bridge?
Originally called Ramar Palam, it was christened the Adams Bridge by the British. It is a 48-km stretch of limestone shoals submerged in the Palk Strait between Dhanushkodi in the Island of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu and Thalaimannar in the Mannar Island of Sri Lanka.
2. What is the depth of the sea around the bridge?
The depth of the sea around the bridge varies between one and 10 metres, making navigation difficult. Hence, the need to drill through it to make the Sethu canal, which is what the Sethusamudram project is all about.
3. Why are Hindu groups against the project?
Hindu groups have vowed to protect the Ram Karmabhoomi comprising Rameswaram, Dhanushkodi and the Adams Bridge, also known as the Ramar Sethu, due to their direct link to the Ramayana centuries ago. Hanuman and his Vanar Sena are said to have helped Lord Ram build the bridge from Rameswaram to Sri Lanka so Ram and his army could get to Ravan and save Sita.
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4. Why is the AIADMK against the project?
Party chief Jayaialitha has been vehemently opposing the project, claiming it directly threatens fishing and marine ecology. Now she has threatened to move court to prevent any damage to the Adams Bridge.
5. Why has work at the project stalled?
A cutter-sucker-dredger called ‘Aquarius’ that was being used to plough through the hard marine rocks, is currently stuck after its driller broke. A small crane called ‘Thangam’ was sent in to retrieve Aquarius but got stuck itself. Now, a third and larger barge crane called ‘Hanuman’ is being used to retrieve both Thangam and Aquarius.
The project is now indefinitely stalled. Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu questioned the very existence of Lord Ram, and uttered blasphemous sentences which deeply angered the Hindus. The GOI compounded faux pas by submitting an affidavit in the Supreme Court denying the existence of Lord Ram. It could have only happened in a Hindu-dominated society.