By IANS
Chennai : Union Shipping and Surface Transport Minister T.R. Baalu said Sunday that the Sethusamudram canal project would be completed by November next year, even as AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha demanded that the review panel on the project be scrapped.
“The project will be completed in November next year and the first ship will be flagged off by UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi,” Baalu said here.
He maintained that the review panel, set up this month by the government after the Supreme Court stayed the execution of the project following opposition by religious groups, political parties and environmental groups, would submit its report to the apex court next month.
Meanwhile, Jayalalitha demanded that an “impartial” and “competent” new committee be set up to review objections to the Sethu project.
The panel will end its hearing of objections, including from those who have taken their protests to court, on Nov 6.
Criticising the appointment of S. Ramachandran, vice chancellor of Madras University, as review panel chairman, Jayalalitha pointed out that he has already gone public with his views in support of the project.
“At least three of the members are historians” she said and could only “vouch for the historical validity of the Ram legend”, but not assess the project’s validity.
“One represents NEERI, which being an interested party, is bound to have biased views,” a statement issued by her said.
“One member, R.S. Sharma, is a witness in the Ram Janmabhoomi case.”
“Committee Chairman S. Ramachandran has already expressed his views publicly supporting the project. He cannot be expected to take a different or unbiased view now.” she added.
Pointing out that there were “glaring omission” of experts in the review panel, Jayalalitha pointed out that no social scientists, maritime experts, defence personnel, oceanographers and economists were included.
“These conspicuous and glaring omissions raise serious doubts about the credibility of the committee and how correct its report is likely to be,” she said.