Sri Lanka has declined a proposal from India for a land-based transport corridor, effectively shelving the prospect of a road and rail bridge linking the two South Asian nations, according to Sri Lankan media. 

The proposal, which has been periodically floated by Indian officials over the past two decades, was reportedly reintroduced in bilateral meetings earlier this month. However, senior officials from the Sri Lankan government have indicated that the island nation is currently not in a position to embrace land connectivity, citing technical, economic, and environmental challenges. According to diplomatic sources in Colombo, the matter was briefly touched upon during recent high-level talks, though it did not emerge as a focal agenda item. The Indian side reiterated its interest in strengthening regional mobility through the proposed bridge that could span the Palk Strait, drawing symbolic reference to the ancient Ram Setu – a limestone shoal chain mythologically linked to India’s epic traditions.

Sri Lankan decision-makers, however, appear to be approaching the proposal with increasing caution. Experts within the government’s infrastructure and transport planning departments have assessed the plan as “not feasible at present,” raising concerns over the ecological cost, financial sustainability, and geopolitical implications of such a project. A senior infrastructure policy expert based in Colombo noted that while the project could theoretically enhance trade, tourism, and mobility between the two nations, the island’s fragile marine ecosystems, especially across the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve and the culturally sensitive Ram Setu area, cannot be compromised. The proposed bridge could potentially disrupt coral reefs, fish breeding zones, and migratory bird habitats, undermining regional biodiversity goals and inviting public resistance.

Furthermore, the scale of investment and long-term viability of the infrastructure came under scrutiny. “Sri Lanka is still recovering from an economic crisis. Prioritising large-scale capital-intensive projects, especially those involving foreign funding and complex bilateral arrangements, requires careful cost-benefit analysis,” said an official with knowledge of recent cabinet discussions. From New Delhi’s perspective, the land bridge was envisioned as part of a broader strategy to deepen regional connectivity under the BIMSTEC framework, aimed at linking India more closely with its South Asian neighbours. Proponents of the project have argued that it could provide a sustainable alternative to maritime shipping routes and air travel, aligning with net-zero carbon goals and regional green transport commitments. However, for the proposal to be truly aligned with sustainable development principles, regional planners must consider the carbon footprint of constructing such mega-infrastructure across sensitive marine landscapes. Without comprehensive environmental impact assessments and community engagement, the project risks contradicting its own green mobility intentions.

Urban mobility researchers have further pointed out that while land connectivity projects can yield economic dividends, they must not be pursued at the expense of local livelihoods and ecological resilience. “What is required is not just a bridge of concrete and steel, but a bridge of trust, regional equity, and shared responsibility,” said a sustainability consultant specialising in South Asian infrastructure. Interestingly, this is not the first time the idea has been set aside. A similar proposal was mooted during the early 2000s under a different political administration in Sri Lanka but failed to take off due to lack of consensus. More recently, a joint statement during a visit by Sri Lanka’s top leadership to New Delhi in 2023 made mention of connectivity cooperation, but concrete action has remained elusive. The current diplomatic hesitation may also be influenced by shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region, where external players such as China have increased their presence through port development and maritime infrastructure investments. For Sri Lanka, maintaining strategic autonomy remains a priority, and any land-based connectivity with India would require not just technical vetting but also geopolitical consensus.

Despite the pause, Indian officials remain hopeful that future collaborations on sustainable connectivity are still possible, even if they may initially take the form of expanded ferry services, greener shipping corridors, or aviation reforms that are less environmentally invasive. Sri Lanka’s response, however, signals a growing maturity in policymaking, one that carefully weighs national priorities, environmental stewardship, and long-term urban resilience over short-term diplomatic gains. The decision underscores a broader truth in regional development discourse — that connectivity is not merely about infrastructure, but about context, capacity, and collective will. For now, the idea of a land bridge across the Palk Strait remains a vision deferred — not rejected outright, but awaiting a moment when environmental, economic, and geopolitical stars align.