Govt looks for options to Sethu project

New Delhi: The Government will set up a six-member committee to examine the feasibility of an alternative alignment for the Sethusamudram shipping canal project.

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

R K Pachauri, chairman of the UN's Climate Change panel, will head the panel.

“I haven't seen the terms of the reforms yet but I will try my best and will take an objective view of the situation. I along with the other members will come with a solid solution. So, ecological, scientific and environmental and other aspects need to be looked at carefully but since I haven't yet taken a look at the terms I can't say anything,” he says.

Nariman told the bench he had received a response from the Prime Minister's Office 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.

"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," the response from the PMO to Nariman's letter said.

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