1)Marine: Gulf of Mannar, has over 3600 known species of fauna and flora, many of them endangered and listed in Schedule I under Indian Wildlife Act. You can not simply put their life at risk by Sethu project. The bridge acts as a barrier and creates the opportunity for such a phenomenal marine life.
2)Channel: The channel is going to nightmare to manage. If the ship runs into trouble, there is no way to extricate it to clear the channel.
3)Kerala coast: The bridge also acts as a barrier to protect Kerala coastal. It was evident in the 2004 Tsunami. The Setu Canal will provide an alternative route for the Infonesian tsunamis to funnel energy into the channel.
4)Biased reports: The only detailed report on this project has been commissioned by SCL in collarobation with NEERI and NIOT. The raw data came from S. Kathiroli, Director of NIOT, who coincidnelty also sits on the board of Dredging Corp of India(DCI). Wow!? Sure, you will get the unbiased report for Rs 26000 crore project. Keep dreaming. The report mentioned that there was no rock in the Ram Sethu bridge. It was proven wrong when a dredger got hit one solid rock and broke its spud. Eat dust Mr. Kathiroli.
In short, savings of 24 hours aint worth the exercise on economic and ecological view points, let alone religious sentiments involved. Besdies, a more comprehensive study should be done to commence the project. It seems to be cooked exercise with vested interests.
