CM: Sethu alignment okayed by NDA Govt

In a nine-page statement, Karunanidhi wondered why the BJP had not raised the Ram Sethu issue when it was in power. “Why did they not raise the issue when they sanctioned the project in 2002? Would the issue have been raised by them if the project had been implemented under their regime?” he asked. Karunanidhi detailed the various committees that had been constituted since 1860, and the suggestions made by them and the various feasibility studies undertaken for the project since 1955. “But not once was any doubt expressed about the technical feasibility of the Project,” he pointed out.

It was because studies and investigations had revealed nothing about any man-made structure under the sea that neither the NDA Government nor the present Government took steps to declare the so-called Ram Sethu a national heritage site, he added.

He also allayed apprehensions about the fishing community being displaced pointing out that only Government-owned land would be used for the project proposed on 12.5 acres at Dhanushkodi and 2.5 acres at Kodiakarai. “There will be no displacement,” he assured.

Meanwhile, MDMK leader Vaiko, a strident proponent of the project, on Tuesday urged the Centre to choose an alternate alignment that would not hurt religious sentiments.