Swamy flays DMK's resolution on Sethu project

Chennai, Dec 18 (UNI) Flaying the ruling DMK for demanding the speedy implementation of the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP), Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy today termed as ''bogus'', the DMK's claim that the project would benefit the coastal residents of Tamil Nadu.

Reacting to the resolution passed at the DMK youth wing state conference, demanding the speedy implementation of the project, he said in a statement here that the project would not benefit the people in coastal districts, but would render five lakh fishermen unemployed.

Dr Swamy said the coastal regions could be benefitted if broad gauge double railway line from Tuticorin Port to Chennai along the coast, thereby connecting Kolkata, was laid. The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait should be declared a Marine Economic Zone and developed into a fishing industry, he suggested, adding that the Ram Sethu should be declared a pilgrim centre.

He claimed that the resolutions and speeches made in the Tirunelveli conference on the SSCP showed the deep frustration of the DMK in not being able to implement the project.

UNI