There are different geological and religious theories behind the origin of the bridge, one of which even says that Sri Lanka was a part of Indian landmass and that the calcareous rectangular blocks are testimony of Lanka breaking away from the mainland about 1,25,000 years ago.
It was the site of the proposed Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project by the Government of India for dredging the entire straits to make it navigable by large ships and create fishing and shipping harbours in the coastal areas because today, ships bound for India's eastern coast have to circle around the entire island of Sri Lanka to reach Tuticorin, Chennai, Vizag, Paradip and other ports.
It has been claimed that that the successful completion of the project would cut travelling by about 350 nautical miles and will save 10 to 30 hours' sailing time.
