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Centre to explain stand on alternative alignment

Legal Correspondent

Gets more time to file reply on Ramar Sethu issue

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday granted the Centre four weeks to spell out its stand on considering an alternative alignment for implementing the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project and on the Ramar Sethu issue.

A Bench consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices R.V. Raveendran and J.M. Panchal adjourned the hearing to March on a batch of petitions filed by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy and others challenging the project.

Earlier, the court, permitting dredging operations, restrained authorities from causing any damage to Ramar Sethu and asked the Centre to file its response. It is yet to be filed.

On Thursday, Additional Solicitor-General R. Mohan said: “On January 16 we [the government] had sought two weeks for filing the reply. We have not been able to do so. We are seeking further four weeks time.”

Dr. Swamy said the court must direct the Centre to file separate affidavits on the alignment and what investigation had been done, and whether Ramar Sethu could be declared a national monument or not.

Mr. Mohan said, “We will address all the issues.”

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