New Delhi: Government is exploring the possibility of an alternative route for Sethusamudram ship channel project through Pamban pass without affecting the Ram Sethu or Adam’s bridge.
The alternative route for Sethusamudram ship channel project through Pamban pass as suggested by RITES is subject to environment clearance and concurrence of Tamil Nadu government under whose jurisdiction Pamban channel falls, he said during the Question Hour.
If the channel is dredged for 12 mt, vessels of about 30,000 dead weight tons size can navigate the Pamban channel with the restriction of 21 mt air draft due to road over bridge across the Pamban pass.
The alignment includes 43 km in Pamban channel which require substantial dredging to achieve 12 meter depth. The balance length of the channel would not require dredging as natural depth is available for navigation of 30,000 dead weight tons vessels, the RITES report said.
