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The central government has been asked by the Supreme Court to explore other viable options for building a shorter navigational route instead of undertaking the Sethusamundram project. A bench of Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, which included justices RV Raveendran and JM Panchal, gave the significant ruling on Thursday, May 8, 2008. The bench of judges deciding on the matter further asked the government to have the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) conduct a study to examine if the Ram Setu could be declared a national monument.
The Sethusamundram project aims at scouring a 30 meter wide and 12 meter deep furrow across the Ram Setu. The Ram Setu, believed to be the bridge build by Lord Rama in order to facilitate his journey to Sri Lanka to rescue his wife, holds immense religious significance for the Hindus. Many Hindu organizations and individuals have opposed the project. The Supreme Court bench remarked that by finding some alternative, the government may like to avoid the controversy associated with the project.
