CUDDALORE: The Sethusamudram ship channel project is vital to India’s defence and no true nationalist will oppose its implementation, T.R. Baalu, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways said on Monday.
He was speaking to reporters at Sethiathope, about 55 km from here, after inspecting national highways damaged in the rain.
At present, naval ships bound for eastern and western destinations took a detour around Sri Lanka.
Once the project was completed, they could sail through the Palk Strait.
As for the economic viability of the project, consultants had estimated that the Internal Rate of Returns (IRR) would be 10.2 per cent. The Central Cabinet had approved it. For a project of such a magnitude, due considerations ought to be given to externalities such as defence purposes, he said.
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