SC commences final hearing on Sethusamudram project

New Delhi (PTI): The final hearing on Sethusamudram project on Thursday commenced in the Supreme Court with opponents of the project contending that the venture was cleared without a comprehensive assessment which involved demolition of "Ram Setu" having potential of being declared as ancient monument.
The first project of its kind in the world requiring cutting across of the seabed was granted green signal without comprehensive environmental impact assessment, risk evaluation and investigation to find out if that Rama Setu or Adams bridge was a man-made structure with religious faith attached to it, those opposing the scheme contended.
"The ASI should conduct intensive investigation to find out whether Rama Setu is a man-made structure or not," senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Dandi Swami Sri Vidyananda Bhartiji, a monk of Sankaracharya order, said opposing the Centre's plea seeking vacation of the interim order directing it not to damage the Ram Setu.
"In the event of Rama Setu coming within the definition of monument after investigation, the Centre has a duty to declare it as a monument of national importance and the place as an archaeological site with the state government having responsibility to protect it," he submitted before a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan.
However, the Bench, also comprising Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal, wanted to know from those opposing the project whether any application was filed before Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for declaring Ram Setu as an ancient monument.
Janata Party President Subramanium Swamy and others, who have also challenged the project, replied in affirmative and said no decision has been taken yet by ASI on the applications.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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