Nitin Gadkari to inspect Sethusamudram project route
Sunday, 2 November 2014 - 11:35pm IST | Place: Ramanathapuram (TN) | Agency: PTI
Union Surface Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari would undertake an aerial inspection of the controversial Sethusamudram Shipping Channel route on November 4, officials said on Sunday. He would inspect the entire Palk Strait onboard a Coast Guard aircraft and discuss about the work so far completed on the multi-crore project, district and Coast Guard officials said. Convenor of Ram Sethu Movement Kupuuram said Gadkari would discuss about possible alternative route.
The project, which envisages dredging of a ship channel across the Palk Strait providing a shorter navigational route for ships from east and west coasts of the country instead of cirumventing Sri Lanka, has hit a block after protests over the proposed demolition of Ram Sethu, mythical bridge built by Lord Rama to reach Lanka. After the NDA Government came to power, Gadkari has asserted that Ram Sethu structure will not be demolished.
The Tamil Nadu Government has opposed the project on the ground that it would affect fishermen's livelihood. Gadkari had stated in Parliament that the government would consider implementing the project by choosing an alternate route. It is against this background that the minister proposed to inspect the Palk Strait.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-nitin-gadkari-to-inspect-sethusamudram-project-route-2031571
Published: November 3, 2014 00:00 IST | Updated: November 3, 2014 08:31 IST
Gadkari to conduct aerial inspection of Sethusamudram project area
Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari will make an aerial inspection of the Sethusamudram ship channel area at Rameswaram on Tuesday.
Official sources said Mr. Gadkari, after visiting the Indian Maritime University at Uthandi near Chennai, would fly down to Madurai in a special aircraft and conduct an aerial inspection in the Coast Guard’s Dornier aircraft around 11.40 a.m. Thereafter, he would review the controversial project with officials at Rameswaram.
Rs. 25,000-cr. project
The Rs. 25,000-crore project, launched in February 1997, involves digging an 84 km-long deep water channel cutting through ‘Ram Sethu,’ linking the Palk Strait with the Gulf of Mannar. It envisages sailing of ships in Indian waters between the east and west coasts without having to circumvent Sri Lanka.
However, the project ran into rough weather after some Hindu outfits objected to the dismantling of Ram Sethu.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/gadkari-to-conduct-aerial-inspection-of-sethusamudram-project-area/article6559086.ece