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Sethu project has security implications

The controversial Sethusamudram Ship Canal project has "security implications" and these have been "conveyed" to the Government, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Chief said yesterday.

"There are security implications because of the closeness of the India-Sri Lanka maritime boundary," Vice Admiral Rusi Contractor told reporters in New Delhi ahead of the 31st anniversary of the ICG.

"We have conveyed these implications to the government. Complications are there and I am sure these will be addressed," he added. Contractor, however, declined to say whether there had been any response from the Government.

Asked to elaborate on the "security implications" and "complications", the ICG chief said: "If the seaway is opened up, there could be issues of piracy. Then, in a narrow channel, if a ship has problems (while crossing), this has to be addressed.

"There is also the question of the proximity (of the maritime boundary) with a country with which there is a problem existing," Contractor said. The project involves dredging a canal in the Indian Ocean between India and Sri Lanka.

Several Hindu groups as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have opposed the project, saying it would affect a formation known as Ram Setu that is mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Ironically, the BJP had given the project in-principle approval when it was in power in 2003. However, there has been forward movement only in the last two years with Shipping and Surface Transport Minister T R Baalu giving the project his full backing.

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