WORK ON SETHU SAMUDRAM CANAL PROJECT TO START SOON

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Work on Sethu Samudram Canal Project is to begin in a few months after obtaining cabinet approval, according to Shri Su. Thirunavukkrasar, Union Minister of State for Shipping. The project for achieving 7 meter depth will cost Rs. 200 to 230 crore and on completion the saving for shipping sector will be to the tune of Rs. 70 crore. The Minister was presiding over the review meeting of the Sethu Samudram Ship Canal Project held here today. He said the report of National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) which is conducting techno-economic and environmental impact assessment studies for the project is expected before May 2003. The Sethu Samudram Canal Project once completed will reduce 36 hours of shiptime and the shiproute will be reduced by 400 KMs.

A Committee under the Chairmanship of a Shipping Secretary, Shri M.P. Pinto has been formed to co-ordinate and monitor the progress of this canal project and speeding up the work. The meeting was attended by Secretary, Shipping, Director, NEERI, Dy. Chairman, Tuticorin Port Trust and senior officials of the Shipping Ministry.

Sethu Samudram Ship Canal Project was initially proposed in 1860 and three feasibility committees had been set up in 1955, 1983 and 1996 for this project. A detailed feasibility study to conduct techno-economic and environmental studies was entrusted to NEERI, in Nagpur. Tuticorin Port Trust is a nodal agency to implement this project.