SC to Hear Petition Seeking Declaration ‘Ram Setu’ as a National Heritage

The Supreme Court will hear today the petition seeking to declare ‘Ram Setu’ as a national heritage. Earlier, during the hearing of the matter on January 12, Subramanian Swamy had told the Supreme Court that the central government has not yet filed an affidavit in the matter. In such a situation, the court should summon the cabinet secretary. Appearing for Central govt Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the affidavit is being prepared. Will file in the first week of February, he added
Swamy had filed the petition against the controversial Sethusamudram Ship Channel project initiated by the first United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. In his PIL, Swamy had demanded that Ram Setu be declared a national heritage.

The Supreme Court had in 2007 stayed the work on the Ram Setu project. Later the central government had said that it has considered the socio-economic losses of the project and will try to find another route for the shipping channel project without damaging the Ram Setu.