Agencies
New Delhi, Jan 31:
The controversial Sethusamudram shipping canal project has "security implications" and these have been "conveyed" to the government, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) chief said on Thursday.
"There are security implications because of the closeness of the India-Sri Lanka maritime boundary," Vice Admiral Rusi Contractor told reporters in New Delhi ahead of the 31st anniversary of the ICG.
"We have conveyed these implications to the government. Complications are there and I am sure these will be addressed," he added.
Contractor, however, declined to say whether there had been any response from the government.
Asked to elaborate on the "security implications" and "complications", the ICG chief said: "If the seaway is opened up, there could be issues of piracy. Then, in a narrow channel, if a ship has problems (while crossing), this has to be addressed."
"There is also the question of the close proximity (of the maritime boundary) with a country with which there is a problem existing," Contractor said.
The project involves dredging a canal in the Indian Ocean between India and Sri Lanka. Several Hindu groups as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have opposed the project, saying it would affect a formation known as Ram Setu that is mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Ironically, the BJP had given the project in-principle approval when it was in power in 2003. However, there has been forward movement only in the last two years with Shipping and Surface Transport Minister TR Baalu giving the project his full backing.
Baalu belongs to the DMK of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Karunanidhi that is a constituent of India's ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
Environmental groups have also opposed the Sethusamudram project, saying it would destroy the fragile ecosystem of the area.
The Supreme Court has stayed the project pending the resolution of all contentious issues.
On Sunday, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy dovetailed all popular concerns over the Sethusamudram, scientific, ecological, security and religious, at the launch in Chennai of Paalam (Bridge), a film on dangers of continuing with the project.
SC grants 4 weeks time to Centre
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday granted an additional four weeks time to the Centre to file its affidavit on the Sethusamudram project. A bench headed by Justice K G Balakrishnan posted the matter for hearing in the first week of March.
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