The Hindu : National : A navigable channel will benefit all: Navy

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Saturday, Sep 22, 2007
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A navigable channel will benefit all: Navy

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Steering clear of the controversy over the alignment of the Sethusamudram project, the Navy feels it will stand to greatly benefit if a navigable channel is created between Sri Lanka and India.

“A navigable channel of 10-metre depth would ensure a saving of at least 18 hours for ships moving from one flank to the other. On an average our ships circumvent Sri Lanka 100 times every year while moving for maintenance or operational reasons,” a naval officer said. Twice a year ships from either side move toward the other side for joint exercises. Except for the aircraft carrier group led by INS Viraat, most of the other ships would be able to cut across the channel for exercises. During emergencies such as a war-line situation too, the channel would help the Navy save considerable time and money. For instance, during the Kargil conflict in 1999, all ships from the eastern coast were sent around Sri Lanka to join the Western Fleet. This manoeuvre was repeated during the military stand-off with Pakistan three years later.

At the same time, the Navy, besides agencies responsible for coastal security, would have to be always on the alert against intentional or unintentional disruption

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