ASI survey on Setu only next year

Wed, May 14 12:45 AM

The government is all set to bury the controversy over the Ram Setu project till the next general elections as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has said that a new survey of the site will not be possible till early next year. The ASI's view comes after the Supreme Court asked the Centre to conduct a fresh archaeological investigation to find out whether Ram Setu is an ancient monument or not.

When contacted ASI Director-General Anshu Vaish said she was not an expert on the subject and therefore, cannot comment. On a question whether ASI would be able to conduct the survey before next year, she said, "Only water archaeologists would be able to tell you.

" However, the ASI's water archaeologists have told the government that it would be difficult to start the study before March next year. Reasons: the area would soon be hit by the first round of the monsoons and in winter, too the south-west monsoons lash the region.

"Therefore, it will become difficult for ASI to conduct a survey in such a short span," a government functionary said.Another reason being given is that the investigation would have to be very "minute", as a large portion of the Ram Setu has already been lost due to dredging work for the Sethusamudram shipping canal project.

However, the ASI has not taken any official stand as it is awaiting the Supreme Court's order. "We have not heard anything about the study from our lawyers," Vaish told HT..

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