The Hindu : National : Suez Canal officials evince interest in Sethusamudram project

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 09, 2004

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National

Suez Canal officials evince interest in Sethusamudram project

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 8. Suez Canal officials have expressed a keen interest in the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project (SSCP), especially in dredging, navigation and ancillary facilities.

In view of interest evinced by the Suez Canal officials in the project during the discussion with the Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T.R. Baalu, it has been decided to initiate the process of finalisation of an MoU between the Suez Canal Authority and the proposed Sethusamundram Corporation Limited for bilateral cooperation.

To benefit from the modern engineering marvels of the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal, and to draw lessons from their operations and performance, a delegation of the Department of Shipping under the leadership of Mr. Baalu is now on a visit to the canals. The delegation visited Islamia, headquarters of the Suez Canal, for discussions on the formation and expansion of the canal, its maintenance and operation, tariff, socio-economic benefits, environmental impact, pollution control management, etc.

Minister confident

The Minister, who also visited the canal systems for first hand information on navigation, expansion plans and the impact of the canal on the operation of small craft during the transit of large ships, is confident that India will benefit from cooperation between the countries.

The delegation yesterday visited Gatun and Miraflores Locks of Panama Canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean for a technical study of the operation of the locks. The SSCP had earlier envisaged the creation of a land canal with locks, which was shelved solely due to environmental considerations.

The delegation will have discussions with the second Vice-President of Panama, and Administrator, Panama Maritime Authority, as well as Panama Canal authorities with a view to learning from their experience on the maintenance of the canal, environmental issues and to identify possible areas of cooperation.

The Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project will provide a continuous navigable route around India's own territorial waters.

Though several studies on the techno-economical viability of the project have been commissioned, the United Progressive Alliance Government has expressed its intent to expeditiously execute the project by including it as a priority project in the Common Minimum Programme. The Department of Shipping is in the process of obtaining approval for the project, forming a special purpose vehicle styled Sethusamudram Corporation Limited and other preparatory works. The technical, financial and environmental issues relating to the project are also being analysed by various Central Government Ministries and agencies.

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