Centre asked to drop Sethu Samudram project

Hubli, Apr 16 (UNI) Urging the Union Government to drop the proposed Sethu Samudram Shipping Canal project, the National Monuments Conservation Committee here today submitted a memorandum to the President through the Deputy Commissioner.

Committee office bearers and many BJP workers, who were present on the occasion, said it was ''unfortunate'' that the Centre proposed to construct Sethu Samudram, replacing the present 'Ramsethu' in the Indian Ocean.

The BJP had been pressing for a change in the alignment of the project to protect Adam's bridge in the Palk Bay, claiming it to be the mythical Ramsethu.

However, the Centre maintained that the claim lacked scientific proof and ruled out the possibility of changing the present alignment of the project, which would provide a navigable route, connecting the East and West coasts of the country, besides throwing open the Tuticorin Port as a major hub on the maritime map.

UNI