NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu, called on the Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday and discussed issues concerning his Ministry besides taking up the proposals of the Tamil Nadu Government for transfer of some defence land for creation of civilian facilities in the state.

Mr. Baalu informed Mr. Mukherjee about the speedy progress of the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier (ADS) of the Navy being built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Shipping. He also emphasised the need for adequate procurement of ship-grade steel by the Navy authorities for timely completion of the project.

He also told the Defence Minister that the Hooghly Dock and Port Engineers Limited (HDPE), Kolkata, a shipyard under the Department of Shipping, was on the revival path and had come out of the red in the last one year. He sought the requisite support of the Navy in respect of their small and medium sized vessels/barges' requirement which would not only help the HDPE's speedy recovery but also strengthen the Government's initiatives in the rehabilitation of the public sector shipyard in the eastern part of the country.

Mr. Baalu also reiterated the proposals sent to the Ministry of Defence by M. Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, for transfer of 25 acres of defence land for construction of the new bus stand at Tambaram, Chennai, and transfer on exchange basis of 4.26 acres of defence land at St. Thomas Mount and Pallavaram Cantonment for implementation of infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu. Mr. Mukherjee reportedly assured that the Defence Ministry would consider Mr. Baalu's request appropriately and expeditiously.

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