Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Provide Funds For Early Execution Of Sethusamudram Canal Project In Tamil ... on 6 July, 1998
> Title : Need to provide funds for early execution of Sethusamudram Canal Project in Tamil Nadu.
SHRI VAIKO (SIVAKASI) : Sir, I rise to bring to the notice of the Government the need to execute Sethusamudram Canal Project in Tamil Nadu immediately. Sethusamudraml Project involves excavation of a canal in Rameswaram Island and connect Palk Strait with the Gulf of Mannar through this Canal. This Project has been pending for the last 135 years. Several Committees appointed by the State and Central Governments had recommended the Project. The estimated cost of the Project which was Rs. 37.34 crore in 1968 has escalated to Rs. 282 crore in 1984 and must have escalated further. The Project is very important in many ways.
if this Project is completed, the distance of sea route . between the ports on the West coast and the ports on thffl East Coast could be reduced by over 360 nautical ibesides saving precious fuel and time. At present, the coal required for Tuticorin Thermal Power Plant is being transported ' by ship from Haldia through a circuitous route. If this Project is executed, the Shipping Corporation alone will save over Rs. 20 crore per year by way of saving fuel and time. This in turn will help Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to reduce the cost of generation of electricity. World container operators will also use this route since Tuticorin is the container transhipment centre between the United States and the Indian ports on the East Coast. This will earn considerable foreign exchange.
I urge the Government to execute this Sethusamudram Project at the earliest.
SHRI T.R. BAALU (MADRAS SOUTH): I also associate myself with his views.