The Central Government should re-examine whether to execute the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project (SSCP) or not, said Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko.
Talking to press persons here on Saturday, he said the proposed narrow channel would serve only small ships. Widening the channel would lead to destruction of coral reefs and marine life, especially endangered species, and pose a grave threat to the ecology, he pointed out. It would ultimately affect the livelihood of thousands of fishermen in south Tamil Nadu. The Centre should reconsider the project as it would be neither viable nor boost the Indian economy, he added.
Despite strong objections by 59 scientists and 700-day-old demonstration by 2.5 lakh people of Idindhakarai and nearby areas, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) had started power generation, even without following safety measures. The Centre was spreading false information, Mr.Vaiko noted.
Though the production capacity was 1,000 MW per unit, Tamil Nadu would get 45 per cent of the power. But 20 per cent of its share would be lost in transmission, Mr.Vaiko said, and added that a demonstration against the KNPP would be staged in Chennai on August 5.
