The construction of a sea-bridge and an underwater tunnel linking the 23 kilometer (km) stretch between Talaimannar, Sri Lanka and Dhanushkodi, India is under discussion, according to India’s Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari. The sea bridge would help expand the trans-South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation road and transport network. Dhanushkodi is situated south-east of Pamban town and about 29 km from Talaimannar, Sri Lanka, the closest town to the Indian land border. Currently, the 23 km missing link is serviced through a makeshift ferry service.

Road connectivity built across Palk Strait may comprise a combination of sea-bridge and underwater tunnel – thus allowing continued movement of ships. The proposal for a road and rail link to bridge the divide across Palk Strait has been submitted to the Asian Development Bank for pre-feasibility study and financing. Estimates put the project costs at about US$3.6 billion. 

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India-Sri Lanka road link in the works: Indian Union Minister
India-SL road link in the works: Union minister