Sethu project hearing set for April 29

The 60-page affidavit cleared by the Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs CCPA, which was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had said that the opposition to the project which started two years back was 8220;misconceived8221; and 8220;unsubstantiated8221; and the court should 8220;refrain from interdicting8221;.

The Centre had said that a committee of eminent persons appointed on October 5, 2007 re-examined the entire project, including the six possible alignments to conclude that the alignment No-6 Rama Setu was the 8220;best alternative8221; and to alter channel alignment at this stage would be 8220;infeasible8221; as it would lead to huge loses to the public exchequer.

8220;The alignment No-6 Rama Setu is backed by sound environmental, navigational, engineering and trans-boundary considerations.

8220;Therefore, the assertion that the alignment has been arbitrarily resorted to and other viable alternatives have been deliberately left out for malafide reasons is wrong and baseless,8221; the affidavit said seeking vacation of apex court8217;s interim orders directing not to damage the 8216;Rama Setu8217;.

The Ministry of Culture had triggered a controversy last September by questioning the existence of Lord Rama and a man-made Rama Setu8217; in an affidavit which was later withdrawn after a huge public outcry.