The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it will act in national interest to preserve the Ram Sethu, also known as Adam’s Bridge, and the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project will be aligned along an alternate route.
In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Shipping reiterated its earlier stand that Ram Sethu will not be affected in any way because of the religious significance it holds for Hindus. According to the mythological text Ramayana, lord Ram had constructed the bridge to cross into lanka.
This is the first affidavit filed by the Narendra Modi Government in the case. The affidavit said, “The Government of India intends to explore an alternative to the earlier alignment of Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project without affecting/damaging the Adam’s Bridge or Rama Sethu in the interest of the nation.”
While the work on the project is on, the Centre emphasised that the “socio-economic disadvantages” associated with the alignment cutting through Ram Sethu has led to its abandonment. The Centre assured the court that in the light of its statement, the petitions pending before the apex court since 2005 should be disposed.
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy mentioned before the Bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra for listing of the case following the affidavit by the Centre. Swamy had petitioned the court for scrapping the original alignment of the project as it sought to damage the Adam’s Bridge. The apex court had earlier passed an interim order restraining any activity on or around Ram Sethu.