BJP alleges irregularities in Golden Quadrangle project

Tiruchirapalli, Mar 15 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today charged ''certain irregularities and doubtful modalities'' in the Golden Quadrangle Road Project being implemented by the Union Ministry of Shipping and Surface Transport.

Talking to newspersons here, the party's Tamil Nadu unit president L Ganesan alleged large scale irregularities and deviations in the Golden Quadrangle road projects.

He said, under pressure from the U S Government, the projects taken up by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) were deliberately changed from the original alignment planned by the Centre.

Stating that it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led previous NDA Government that initiated the project he said the present ministry had clamped changes in the alignment making new routes being laid along the eastern and western sectors very close to the international borders.

He charged that the changes were under pressure from the U S Government and added that the cost had escalated to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore due the modifications.

Alleging irregularities and excess expenditure in Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project he said when the Prime Minister's Office had asked for certain clarifications from the Shipping Ministry, it had filed a ''half-baked and haphazard'' report. There was no mention about the possible damages on the Ramar Bridge lying hidden under the sea, he charged.

On the Sri Lankan ethnic issue, Ganesan said the Centre should withdraw the offer of military assistance to that country.

''India should rather closely monitor initiatives for peace talks in Sri Lanka'', he said.

The party would also stage demonstrations along the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu to express deep concern over the brutal killings of indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.

UNI