Author: PTI
Publication: The Hindu
Date: February 1, 2008
URL: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200802010343.htm
In a move that could put the controversial
Sethusamudram project in cold storage, Culture Minister Ambika Soni on Thursday
said the ASI could not give a definite view on the project without undertaking
some kind of survey.
She also said the government would take into
consideration various inputs, including the security concerns expressed over
the project, before it takes a decision on it.
"The Archaeological Survey of India cannot
give a view definitely on whether this can be declared as site of national
importance or not without undertaking some kind of survey," Soni said.
Her remarks came in the context of fresh rows
over the project, including security concerns expressed by the Navy chief
and the Coast Guard Director General.
"These would be inputs before the Government
before it takes a decision or goes ahead," Soni said.
Soni said the ASI has never undertaken any
kind of survey or exploration. "So it is very difficult for us to give
any opinion based on first hand knowledge," she said.
Besides, the Minister insisted that the such
a survey was "not an easy job, not a quick job" and recalled that
the survey at Nagarjunakunda had taken five to six years.
Noting that the Madras High Court had asked
the Government to file an affidavit explaining the cultural significance of
Ram Setu and also asked whether it had conducted any archaeological survey
of the bridge, she made it clear that so far no one has asked the ASI to conduct
such a survey.
