By IANS
New Delhi : The Lok Sabha was adjourned for 15 minutes Thursday following a row between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Tamil Nadu MPs over a shipping canal that will cut sailing time between India’s west and east coasts.
V.K. Malhotra of BJP raised the issue during the zero hour, questioning the government’s unwillingness to explore an alternative canal route instead of the present one that is expected to destroy remains of an ancient footbridge that once linked southern India with Sri Lanka.
But the Tamil Nadu MPs, led by Shipping Minister T.R. Baalu, objected to Malhotra’s observations, saying the issue was sub-judice and that the Allahabad High Court was hearing the case.
The heated exchange of words between the two sides led to adjournment of the house for 15 minutes.
Legend has it that the bridge was used by Hindu Lord Rama and his monkey warriors to cross over to Lanka where they fought an epic battle against the demon king Ravana.
The Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project has the enthusiastic backing of the Tamil Nadu government. The BJP and allied Hindu groups say they are not opposed to the canal route but do not want the ancient bridge damaged.