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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