Will seek alternative to damaging Ram Sethu, Centre tells SC
The Union Ministry of Shipping, in its affidavit, told a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that the PIL filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against the Sethusamudram project can now be disposed off by taking note of its stand. PTI photo.
The Union government on Friday told the Supreme Court that it would not damage the mythological 'Ram Sethu' for constructing the Sethusamudram ship channel project in "the interest of the nation".
"The Government of India intends to explore an alternative to the earlier alignment of Sethusamudram ship channel project without affecting/damaging the Adam's Bridge/Ram Sethu in the interest of the nation," the Ministry of Shipping said in a one-page affidavit.
The stand taken by the NDA government is contrary to affidavits filed by the UPA government in 2013 on February 22 and September 11.
The former government had said that, given the advantages, the government intended to pursue the implementation of the project, wherein the channel between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka was to be dredged.
The incumbent government is of the opinion that "considering the socio-economic disadvantages, the Government of India does not want to implement the said alignment."
The government also urged a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud that the matter should now be disposed of.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy Swamy had filed a PIL against the ship channel project and had sought direction to the Centre that the mythological Ram Sethu be not touched.
He mentioned the matter before the court, saying an affidavit was to be filed by the Union government in the matter. Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand said the affidavit would be filed during the course of the day.