Chennai:
Making a strong pitch for the Rs 2400 crore Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project, DMK president M Karunanidhi today said his cry for its implementation was not aimed at publicity.
"India is still lacking in many fronts (including sea) transport. Projects like these will usher in national development (and DMK's demand) for its implementation is not meant for seeking publicity," 90-year-old Karunanidhi said.
Leading state-wide protests of his party from this coastal town demanding implementation of the project, Mr Karunanidhi said it had been supported by the likes of DMK founder C N Annadurai.
Even AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran had endorsed it but the party under his protege and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was now opposed to it, he added.
Mr Karunanidhi said the implementation of the project would ensure bigger ports and related activities in the existing facilities in Nagapattinam, Vedaranyam and Cuddalore and argued that it will benefit future generations.
Sethusamudram project is aimed at constructing a shorter navigational route around India's southern tip by breaching the mythological Rama Sethu, believed to have been built by Lord Rama to reach Ravana's kingdom, Lanka.
The project has been put on hold after the Tamil Nadu government pleaded with the Supreme Court that the project be scrapped as it would adversely affect marine biodiversity and the Centre be directed to declare Rama Sethu a national monument.
The DMK wants the Tamil Nadu government to withdraw its affidavit seeking to declare Ram Sethu as a national monument.
"It is a betrayal by the AIADMK government and Jayalalithaa. The Tamil Nadu government has unilaterally announced it doesn't want the project. Shouldn't they have called for an all-party meeting on this crucial project?" said DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran.
Fishermen in the coastal areas of Tuticorin are also against the project alleging that it will adversely affect their livelihood and only help big trawling companies. They today held a demonstration against the implementation of the project.
In Chennai, Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan said the Centre was "determined" in implementing the Sethusamudram Project.
Mr Vasan said that there was no delay on the part of the Centre and expressed hope that a "good judgement" will be delivered by the Supreme Court.
DMK Treasurer MK Stalin, who led the demonstration in Tuticorin, said some people were trying to put obstacles in the implementation of the project as they feared it would bring 'good name' to Mr Karunanidhi.
"I need not say how this district will economically prosper if the SSCP is implemented. You know it yourself," he said.
He warned that the DMK would organise a 'jail bharo' agitation if the state government did not withdraw its affidavit against the project.