New Delhi, Feb 28 : Union Culture Minister Ambika Soni on Thursday said that the Shipping Ministry would soon file a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court over the issue of Sethu Samundram Canal Project (SSCP).

“The cabinet committee has approved the draft affidavit to bore a major new shipping Lane, Sethusamudram Ship Canal, made by the group of ministers given an authorization to shipping ministry to file it.

The shipping channel, a 100-km (60-mile) long, 300-metre (1000-feet) wide watery groove, will have to be dredged through that ridge,” Soni told reporters here.

The Central Government will file its response to the objections on Friday despite opposition by Hindu groups who say it would destroy a rock and sand ridge built by the Lord Rama.

"The government should have honestly declared Ram Setu as our religious place and should declare it as our ancient monument," Janta Party President Subramanium Swamy said.

It is expected that 560-million dollar SSCP will reduce ship journeys between the country’s western and eastern coasts by up to 36 hours.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been opposing this proposal.

Besides religious objections, conservationists say the construction and increased traffic will kill whales and other marine life in the region, and harm fishermen's livelihoods. (ANI)