'Bridge demolition to cause natural disasters'

Geological experts warn the demolition of Adam's bridge for the implementation of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project might trigger natural disasters.

Amidst debates on whether "Ram Setu" was a man-made structure or a natural formation, geological experts on Friday warned that demolition of Adam's bridge for the implementation of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project might trigger natural disasters.

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Environmental scientists and geologists who have come under the banner of 'The Movement Against Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project' said the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar area was not only fragile with respect to tectonic movements but also highly sensitive to higher heat flow manifestations coupled with those of seismically vulnerable nature.

Geological Survey of India (GSI) former Director K Gopalakrishnan said the Adam's Bridge was not merely a group of simple sandy shoal or sandy bars of migratory nature as was being projected by the Centre and project authorities.

"Evidences are available to prove that such physical feature forms a distinct geological, geotectonic, oceanographic and oceanic divide that has got a specific and important role to play as a barrier in controlling different geological and oceanographic activities in this highly fragile and sensitive area," he added.

Destablisation of the multifarious barrier zone of Adam's Bridge would cause submarine landslides, induce earthquakes and earth tremors and lead to tectonic movements along active fault zones bringing about subsidence and submergence of areas, he said.