Sethusamundaram to be considered with an open mind: Cong

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) In a fresh development, the Congress today said the controversial Sethusamundram project will be considered with an open mind and the final decision taken after studying all technical reports.

''The reports of NASA and our technical institutes will be studied before taking a decision,'' Congress spokesperson Satyavrat Chaturvedi told reporters here.

Last month, Shipping and Surface Transport Minister T R Baalu had stated in the Lok Sabha that there was no scientific evidence of a presence of a man-made structure at the Sethusamudram alignment.

He had also challenged BJP's claim of a NASA website showing Adam's Bridge as a made-made structure.

Condemning VHP president Ashok Singhal for treatening to use force to protect the mythological Ram Setu and stop the canal project, the Congress spokesperson said the project was a legacy the UPA Government inherited from the NDA regime.

''We will move forward on the project.... Some objections have been raised. We are studying them and will consider the project with an open mind,'' Mr Chaturvedi said.

The Sethusamudram project off the Tamil Nadu coast is part of an ambitious Rs 24.27 billion plan to create a channel for large ships between the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Bay.

The BJP and its supporting organisations have been protesting against the project, saying it would hurt Hindu sentiments as it would damage the ancient bridge built by Lord Ram to link India and Sri Lanka as described in the epic Ramayana.

UNI