Modify Setu plan, says expert. Scrap it, says Dr Kalyanraman!

Message from Dr S.Kalyanaraman

Capt. Balakrishnan has conclusively proved that the Setu channel is a
nautical folly with zero socio-economic benefit. An alternative
project in Setusamudram is a marine economic zone to benefit the
coastal people and a rail-link from Vizhinjam container port to
Chennai.

Scrap the Setu channel project. Declare Ramasetu world heritage,
sacred ecosphere.



Modify Sethu plan, says expert

By By Our Correspondent
Aug 11 2009


Chennai,Aug. 10: The Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project would not
be viable and sustainable unless the government carries out
modification of the existing plan, according to a reputed
seismologist. Dr Arun Bapat, former head of the Central Water and
Power Research Station, Pune, pointed out that big ships would not be
able to sail through the channel.


"The Channel has been designed for ships with a draft of 8 meters.
Only ships with Dead Weight Tonnage of 30,000-40,000 will be able to
sail through the channel, " Dr Bapat told Deccan Chronicle. He
explained that the draft was the vertical distance between waterline
and the bottom of the hull.


Dr Bapat pointed out that ships in the 30,000-40,000 DWT were being
phased out. "This is the time of super tankers and carriers of
1,00,000-5,00,000 DWT. Their draft measure anything more than 22
meters. How can they sail through this small channel of ours?" he
asked. The only option, according to the scientist, was to increase
the draft of the channel to 30 meters. "This will ensure a smooth
sailing. Otherwise no mariners will enter the SCCP," said Dr Bapat.


The seismologist pointed out that the frequent reports about tremors
are causing apprehension in the minds of the people. "Most of the
times, what is reported as earthquakes are mild geological movements
that occur routinely. An earthquake can cause havoc only if its of the
magnitude of 6 or above in the Richter Scale. Modern seismological
instruments are capable of detecting tremors of even Minus Two," said
Dr Bapat.


He said researches have showed that the region between Coimbatore and
Ooty was vulnerable to earthquakes. "A major earthquake on Feb 8, 1900
ravaged many parts of Coimbatore and Ooty," he said.

Dr Bapat said that the effects of earthquakes could be mitigated only
by choosing the right construction practices. "Earthquakes do not kill
people; it is the collapse of man-made structures which cause death,"
he said.


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