Stating that the Palk Bay — Gulf of Mannar area in Indian Ocean, is highly sensitive to higher heat flow and vulnerable to future earthquakes, several scientists, ecological experts and representatives of Coastal Action Network (CAN) have opposed the Sethu Shipping Canal Project (SSCP).    

The experts including retired navy captain H Balakrishnan on August 26 reiterated their opposition to the project.    

Balakrishnan said that the Palk Bay — Gulf of Mannar areas were not only fragile with respect to tectonic movements but also highly sensitive to higher heat flow and vulnerable to future earthquakes. He also demanded a fresh study of the project by two teams, first by experts in geology, geophysics, remote sensing, seismology, biology, oceanography and environment from organisations and universities to review all available data from the aforesaid disciplines and their relevance to SSCP.    

The second team comprising experts of government organisations ought to carry out studies as recommended by the first committee within a stipulated time-frame, Balakrishnan said.