A new Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) policy brief argues that a fixed land link across the Palk Strait could cut cargo movement between India and Sri Lanka to a maximum of about nine hours, compared with maritime routes that currently take between 40 and 122 hours once shipping processes, port delays and turnaround times are factored in.
The study, titled “Bridging the Palk Strait: Assessing Indo-Lanka Land Connectivity,” is authored by Shahane De Silva. It models a road and rail link between Dhanushkodi in India and Talaimannar in Sri Lanka, and argues stronger physical connectivity could transform trade, tourism and regional development across the island’s Northern, Eastern and North Central provinces.
The brief lands as India’s High Commissioner Santosh Jha renews his push for a “bold reset” on connectivity, describing the absence of a direct land link as “an anomaly” at the Global Innovation and Leadership Summit in Colombo and arguing the engineering and commercial logic was compelling.
A central concern flagged by the CPA is competition from India’s newly developed Vizhinjam Port in Kerala, which the report says is eroding Colombo Port’s regional transhipment edge. Faster, cheaper overland access could help Sri Lankan exporters reach Indian markets directly, and allow Northern and Eastern businesses to plug into Tamil Nadu’s economy — which the brief projects will reach trillion-dollar scale by 2034.
The report also argues more affordable land access could lift tourist arrivals from Southern India and stimulate employment in underdeveloped regions.
It is not uncritical. The Palk Strait contains sensitive marine ecosystems and wildlife habitats around Adam’s Bridge, and the brief calls for a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment before construction begins. It also recommends stronger border management to address trafficking and illicit cross-border activity risks.
Source: Newswire.
