Date:03/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/03/stories/2008080355260700.htm

Tamil Nadu

BJP hails formation of panel on Sethu

Special Correspondent

RAMESWARAM: Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh has welcomed the formation of an expert committee to explore the possibilities of choosing an alternative alignment for implementing the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project (SSCP) without affecting the Ram Sethu.

“We appreciate the intention of the Supreme Court to select an alternative alignment without destroying the Ram Sethu,” Mr. Singh told reporters here on Friday, after inaugurating a ‘yatra’ from Rameswaram to Ram Sethu area near Dhanushkodi by members of various Hindu organisations.

Asked about the formation of an expert committee by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to look for an alternative alignment, he said he was happy about this. However, he said, the committee should look into all aspects of the project, including economical, ecological, natural, environmental, cultural, religious and others.

The study should also concentrate on post-tsunami changes in the sea.

Later, accompanied by the State BJP leaders S. Thirunavukarasar, L. Ganesan, H. Raja and others, he went to Arichamunai in Dhanushkodi.