Colombo, Sep 29 (IANS): Sri Lanka's new cabinet will soon discuss an Indian proposal to establish a sea bridge and an underwater tunnel to connect its Tamil Nadu state to the island nation.

Cabinet Spokesperson and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne told Xinhua news agency on Tuesday that the Indian government had discussed the proposal with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during his recent trip to New Delhi and the matter would be put for discussion to the cabinet soon.

India has proposed to construct a sea bridge and an underwater tunnel for both road and rail transport that would connect Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu with Sri Lanka through the Palk Strait.

According to media reports, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has shown interest to carry out the socio-economic feasibility study for this 23 km project. It is estimated to cost about $5 billion.

Currently, the missing link of narrow corridor of about 23 km is serviced through makeshift ferry service.