(The article is authored by Alar)

The first Legislative Assembly meeting of the 2023 begin on January 9th with the Governor's address. Following on Thursday, Chief Minister MK Stalin proposed the Sethu Samudra project on the fourth day of the session, as part of his speech in the Legislative Assembly, urging the union government to take this step forward to implement the project which will flourish the economic growth for the future goods.

The Sethu Samudra project is an ambitious project to create a navigational canal between India and Sri Lanka, which will improvise the fishermen economy in better waysm, cited the Chief Minister. Addressing the Legislative Assembly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin said, "Sethu Samudra Project is a very essential project to strengthen the economic development of Tamil Nadu and the economic development of India."

He mentioned in the speech, "The Sethu Samudra Project was studied and designed over several years by the Union Cabinet meeting held in 1963 and a high-level committee headed by Dr. Nagendra Singh ICS in 1964. Its routes were studied and project reports were prepared to carry out the work in an environment-friendly manner. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was the Prime Minister during the NDA regime, approved the "Feasibility Study". It was then that the route of the Sethu Samudra project was finalized. Later, the Congress-led coalition government took charge of the union,"

He furthered that the bench feels that some forces are trying to stop the implementation of this project and it is against the development of the country. "Due to political reasons, BJP opposed Sethu Samudra Project. Former CM of TN, Jayalalitha was in favour of this project but suddenly changed her stand & filed a case against it. Therefore the Union Government should immediately come forward to implement this important Sethu Samudra Project without any further delay," the Chief Minister added that the Government of Tamil Nadu will extend all cooperation for the implementation of this project.

"Also, if the Sethu Samudra Project is implemented, the transportation distance around Sri Lanka will be reduced. Travel distance will be greatly reduced. The Chief Minister said that the economy of the fishermen will improve due to the development of small ports." he added. The Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project would dig a canal through the narrow straits between India and Sri Lanka.  The sea between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka would be dredged through the Adam's Bridge shoals of limestone. To complete the project, a deepwater channel measuring 83.2 kilometres will be dug from the shallow Palk Strait to the Gulf of Mannar. Alfred Dundas Taylor first came up with the idea in 1860, and in 2005 it was officially recognised by the Indian government.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin moves a resolution regarding Sethusamudram project in Assembly

Due to political reasons, BJP opposed Sethusamudram Project. Former CM of TN, Jayalalitha was in favour of this project but suddenly changed her stand & filed a case against it: Tamil Nadu CM pic.twitter.com/nMmAOGNESw

— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2023