NEW DELHI: The Centre today informed the Supreme Court that in the "interest of the nation", it will not damage the mythological
Ram Sethu for its
Sethusamudram Ship Channel project.
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.
"That 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 affidavit filed by the ministry said.
It also said that dredging Rama Sethu will have socio economic disadvantages and it would not be in the interest of the nation.
Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Centre, said that the Centre has filed the response in pursuance of the earlier directions and the PIL can now be disposed off. 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.
