Ram Setu project worries Coast Guard

SECURITY THREAT: The freedom of movement that the canal would give to the LTTE is matter of major concern.

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New Delhi: There is a new twist to the Ram Setu controversy. The Coast Guards Director General has told CNN-IBN that the Sethusamudram project poses security threat to India.

Vice Admiral Contractor was echoing remarks similar to those made by the Navy Chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, recently. His statement comes at a time when the BJP is opposing the project tooth and nail, insisting that it will damage a precious historical heritage.

On the other hand Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi has made it a prestige issue. His party says the Sethusamundram is not a man-made structure.

The Archaeological Survey of India had earlier corroborated the DMK's stand.

However, the Coast Guard Chief's remarks are expected to give the BJP fresh ammunition on the Setusamudram project.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has granted the Centre four weeks to make its stand clear on the issue.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal gave the Centre the time limit after Additional Solicitor General R Mohan sought extension for filing an affidavit.

The apex court directed the Government to file two separate affidavits, one on the alignment of the project and other giving details of the studies that have been undertaken to ascertain whether Ram Setu is an ancient monument.

The affidavits are to be filed by the first week of March.

The Supreme court had already directed the authorities not to damage the Setu in any manner while carrying out dredging activities.

Setu Controversy

The Ram Setu or Adam's Bridge, a chain of limestone shoals 48 km long that once linked Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu with Mannar in Sri Lanka's northwest, faces possible destruction when the ambitious Sethusamudram canal project comes up to create a navigable waterway in the narrow sea dividing the two countries.

India does not have a continuous navigational channel linking the east and west coasts. Ships coming from India's west and heading to Bangladesh or Indian ports on the east coast have to go around Sri Lanka because the waterway in the sea dividing the two countries is shallow.

When the sea is dredged and a shipping canal does come up, it will save up to 780 km of sailing distance and 30 hours of sailing time for ships plying between the east and west coasts of India. Indian officials say the canal will also boost the national economy besides speeding up the movement of Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels as well.

Hindu groups say this may be true but such economic progress cannot be at the expense of Ram Setu, as they refer to Adam's Bridge, located at the southern end of the Sethusamudram project. This is where an estimated 48 million cubic metres of silt will be removed over the next two years.