Quick, quixotic
A project that should have been thoroughly debated on its technical and economic merits and social and environmental impacts was ensnared in politics. The Union government, giving in to the pressures of coalition politics, was forced to give a green light to the Sethusamudram project, despite overwhelming evidence that, at the very least some more studies should have gone into its feasibility before it was commissioned.
The manner in which the eia report was prepared and the contents of the report generated much controversy. Also the fact that the same agency was employed to do an eia and then prepare a techno-economic feasibility, giving rise to conflict of interest, raised eyebrows. Gaps in the eia and concerns generated after the tsunami caught the prime minister's attention. He asked for clarifications, but the only ones that got through were those of the proponents of the project. Several scientists and civil society groups were miffed that they were never really given a fair hearing. How and when the pmo's doubts were cleared remains a mystery. But coalition pressures is the obvious suspect.
Regional parties that were part of the upa coalition, got what they wanted. Their main opposition, which currently rules the state, did an about turn and protested against the project, making Sethusamudram even more of a political issue. The real issues were lost in this political squabbling. Numerous voices from shipping industry professionals and naval experts, casting doubts on the economic viability and the national security angle, got lost in the sound and fury. Environmental groups and voluntary agencies working with fishing communities and the communities themselves didn't even make it to first base.
This is one of the biggest dredging projects ever undertaken. A project of such magnitude required extra care and investigation. On the contrary, it was pushed through with obscene haste