The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : `Shipping Ministry has sent reply to PMO'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 01, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`Shipping Ministry has sent reply to PMO'

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, MARCH 31. The Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways has sent its response to a letter from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) which reportedly raised objections to the Sethusamudram project, particularly in the context of the tsunami.

Admitting that the PMO sent a communication some time ago, the Shipping Secretary, D.T. Joseph, on Wednesday said the Ministry replied to it, detailing the environmental safeguards proposed in the project.

It allayed the apprehension that deepening of the sea channel at the tip of the Indian peninsula would aggravate the impact on the mainland in the event of another tsunami.

As no response came from the PMO to the reply, the issue was closed as far as the Ministry was concerned, he said in an informal chat with presspersons at the end of an interactive session with trade and industry organised here by the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Institute of Logistics.

Noting that a tsunami attack, after the implementation of the project, would possibly bring in a ``bit more silt,'' Mr. Joseph said it would be taken care of. Maintenance dredging was an essential component of the project.

On creation of a navigable channel for cargo ships around the peninsula, the Ministry would make a presentation before the Union Planning Commission, which raised doubts about the viability of the project.

After getting the Commission's approval, the Public Investment Board's nod would be sought.

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