Question

The proposed sea-route “Sethu Samudram” is a canal through which of the sea-lanes?
A. Malacca Strait
B. Gulf of Mannar
C. Gulf of Kutch
D. Andaman and Nicobar Is

Answer 1

Hint: Sethu Samudram is a sea which separates India from Sri Lanka. The proposed sea-route “Sethu Samudram” proposes to create a link between both these countries.

Complete Answer: The Sethu Samudram Canal was first introduced in 1860 by a British officer of the Royal Indian Navy to cut through Rameswaram Island in order to reduce the distance between both the west and east coasts. At present, the ships have to go all the way around Sri Lanka because the depth of the sea near the Rameswaram Island is shallow making it unfit for the movement of ships across this region.

Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project visualizes dredging of a ship channel across the Palk Straits among India and Sri Lanka. Two channels will be made - one across Adam's Bridge, that is, the chain of islets and shallows connecting India with Sri Lanka, south-east of Pamban Island and another through the shallows of Palk Bay.

Now let us examine the options
Option A - The Malacca Strait or Strait of Malacca is situated between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It is a limited stretch of water having a length of 930 kilometres is a shipping lane between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
Option B - The Gulf of Mannar, lies in the Coromandel region between the southeastern tip of India and west coast of Sri Lanka. The Sethu Samudram Canal Project proposed to create a shipping canal to link the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka.
Option C - Gulf of Kutch or Kachchh is situated in the state of Gujarat is an inlet of the Arabian Sea along the west coast of India.
Option D - Andaman and Nicobar Islands is situated in the Bay of Bengal at a distance of 1200 kilometres away from the mainland.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: The committee which was headed by Sir Ramaswamy Mudaliar suggested that the canal venture be connected to the Tuticorin Harbor Project and that the two undertakings be attempted to spur industrial and overall improvement of the then under-developed southern part of Tamil Nadu.