Alternative alignment on Sethu project being considered: Govt

The possibility of pushing the Sethusamudram project through an alternative route is being considered, the SC was told.

The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the possibility of pushing the Sethusamudram project through an alternative alignment to avoid any damage to 8216;Ram Sethu8217; is being given serious consideration by the government.

The government8217;s view was conveyed by senior advocate Fali S Nariman to a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan hearing the issue.

Nariman told the bench that he had received a response from the Prime Minister to a letter written by him on the suggestion put forward by the apex court on the issue of exploring the possibility of an alternative alignment between Dhanushkodi and Rameshwaram Island.

8220;The suggestion of Supreme Court for alternative alignment including a canal cutting through the portion between Dhanushkodi and Land End on Rameshwaram Island has been given serious consideration in the government,8221; the response from PMO to Nariman8217;s letter said.

The Court was informed that PMO has decided to set up an expert committee headed by noted scientist R K Pachauri, Director General of Tata Energy Research Institute, to look into the suggestion.

The Committee has been asked to submit its report as quickly as possible.

8220;The Committee will quickly examine the feasibility of the alternative alignment suggested by the Supreme Court for the Sethusamudram shipping canal project between Dhanushkodi and Land End on Rameshwaram Island keeping in view the technical aspects, cost benefit analysis, social and cultural impact, environmental impact, law and order aspects and any other related matter,8221; the PMO letter said.

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The PMO8217;s response placed before the bench said that the Committee may co-opt other experts and institutions to facilitate its work and decide its own procedure for conducting its proceedings.

Nariman had on Tuesday said that he would soon inform the court about the response of the government on his letter to the Prime Minister.